https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn98HHTPl4k
With your help Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition has charged into the breach and emerged from its launch victorious! The response from fans has been nothing short of stellar and we're pleased to reveal some of our initial content plans in today's developer update!

While we're still working hard to add features, fixes and tweaks that players have been requesting (See our extensive v1.03 Patch Notes for the latest changes), we're keeping this momentum going by revealing new details of gameplay content players can look forward to in the coming months. With additional updates like v1.03 and more coming before then...



Our first major ‘Autumn’ update will arrive in two parts, a free content update and an optional paid DLC. This will introduce The Crocodile, a brand new computer-controlled opponent with his own tactics, castle design, army and of course, snappy personality!

A wizened lord of the marshes, The Crocodile is a bitter cruel fellow, driven beyond sanity by envy of his rival lords. Players will encounter The Crocodile across a new five mission economic campaign, in addition to being playable in skirmish mode (And in case you’re wondering - Yes, the campaign has actual crocodiles too!)



While there will be some degree of combat to contend with in the economic campaign, the ultimate goal and thus victory will be decided by mastery of the game’s various economic industries and castle-life mechanics. The free component of the Autumn Update will be capped off by the inclusion of three new maps - One for Skirmish, Freebuild and Multiplayer.

These will release alongside our first DLC featuring two new CPU commanders in the form of The Canary and The Trader, as well as a new 9 mission ‘Sands of Time’ skirmish trail. Players can expect military scenarios will test their strategic prowess and skills of siegecraft, as they wage war against these new tricky CPU characters. Fear not, more about these new adversaries and their attributes will be revealed in due time!



After Crusader: DE’s fantastic launch, we are determined to keep pushing further with fixes, content updates and gameplay improvements inbound, to truly make this Definitive Edition a game worthy of the Crusader name.

Thanks for playing and stay tuned for more updates coming soon!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanPPwupPz4
The time is NOW, Sire! The long march is finally over and your forces have finally arrived at our divine destination - Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is out now with a 10% launch discount!



The fan reception to Stronghold: Definitive Edition in 2023 showed us the hunger in the community for more games that take the cult classic games of the past, leaving the gold while elevating the old. The tremendous outpouring of love has pushed us to make this definitive edition of the fan-favourite Crusader the best it possible can be, adding more features, fixes and content than anyone could have expected. We can't wait to see how fans take this reimagined classic and make it their own.

Every bit of feedback across our demos has helped to inform the final game, allowing us to craft this expanded remaster hand-in-hand with the community. This player-first development focus has helped to shape this into a love letter to the golden age of isometric strategy games, one that will continue after launch with a robust roadmap of updates and DLC.



The fundamental game will feel like an elevated version of the classic experience for returning fans and new players alike. With improvements and expansions to practically every core feature and beyond: reworked visuals, higher fidelity audio, new units, new AI Lords, new modes, 10k units cap, co-op, new missions, larger-than-ever maps, 8-player Steam multiplayer, Steam Workshop support, QoL improvements and more!

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is the culmination of almost a quarter century of development experience, fan support and technological advancements. Better-looking, smoother-running and bigger in all ways possible, Stronghold Crusader: DE is the ultimate way to take a trip down memory lane.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

Seen a bug? Got feedback? Please submit issues both large and small through the Firefly Studios support site. Between this and our planned post-launch roadmap we are dedicated to fixing any significant issues players are having and the more reports we get the faster and more effectively we can do that :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71UzpnLOH7U


Good Day, Sire! Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is now less than two weeks from launch, so what better time than now to share all there is to know about the game's post-release plans!

Following the positive reception of the two public demos and in keeping with Stronghold: DE’s post-launch, we're announcing two major post-launch content updates for Crusader: DE. These will take the form of an Autumn and a Winter Update, both releasing this year alongside two paid DLCs.



The free initial Autumn Update will feature a series-first economic campaign as well as a brand new CPU commander. Five missions will challenge players to complete a series of economic objectives, leaning heavily into our city builder gameplay mechanics. The new computer-controlled character can meanwhile also be played as friend or foe, selectable in the game’s offline skirmish and online multiplayer modes. Last but not least, three new maps will also be added, one for skirmish, another in Free Build mode and a balanced multiplayer battlefield.

Following this content drop, the game’s free Winter Update will add perhaps the greatest player request so far... The ability to customise CPU opponents, castles and campaigns! Players will be able to create the rivals or allies of their dreams (or nightmares), design their defences and then place all of this into custom mission scenarios created by the community.



If that wasn’t enough, the Winter Update continues this community-first trend with the addition of a second co-op trail of missions. The 10 missions found in the first co-op trail not enough for you? Well, dare to brave the challenges of this new trail and you just might come out victorious. Once again a new map pack of three maps will be added to the overall pool, keeping things fresh for players after launch.

Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition launches soon on July 15th. Wishlist now to be the first to know when it goes live!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXejCnia8tc
Good tidings, Sire! Steam Next Fest is now live and with it our second public demo for Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition. Showcasing the latest fixes, a full Sands of Time mission, Historical Campaign challenge and allowing you to freely try out Custom Skirmish mode before the game’s July 15th launch, this is our most content rich demo yet! So if you haven’t yet given it a try or think you can rise even higher on the leaderboards, now is the chance to prove your mettle…



Crusader: DE was designed with your feedback in mind and at the very top of that list were features like a proper coop mode. In past games we have offered coop in the form of team-based skirmish play and - In the case of Stronghold Crusader 2 - The ability for two players to control the same castle. In Crusader: DE we have gone a step further and designed a full 10 mission skirmish trail, allowing two players to cooperate and defeat the AI across a selection of new maps… With one or two classic battlefields thrown in there for good measure!



Featuring the game’s new AI opponents, units and more, this mode takes full advantage of everything Crusader: DE has to offer. In addition to all of this, we are pleased to announce that - Even though it's called a ‘Coop Trail’ - Solo players won’t be left out in the cold. If for whatever reason you are unable to buddy up with another human player online, the trail is fully playable with the help of one of our 20 AI characters! Battle alongside everyone from The Snake to The Sentinel, as you conquer this fresh take on classic skirmish trail gameplay.



Nothing forges stronger bonds than conquering challenges together. Whether it’s reuniting with distant pals, bonding with a new crusading comrade or finally teaming up with the Lord of Rats himself, the series-first coop mode for Stronghold Crusader: DE will be your chance to create new memories across fresh battlefields!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6TBaUA8QQ
Good morrow, my liege! After 150,000 demo downloads, three times as many as Stronghold: Definitive Edition... We have channelled thousands of your Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition feedback forms into new player-requested enhancements!

Ahead of the game's July 15th launch, today we dive into some of these community-requested features, confirming key information on maximum unit counts and more in our final ‘Feature Spotlight’ development diary.



As some of Crusader’s most knowledgeable and experienced players, your feedback on our upcoming Definitive Edition has been invaluable. So naturally suggestions and ideas discussed online were studied in close detail, ahead of the game’s reveal earlier this year. Your Crusader: DE feedback was then further examined after January 20th, using the demo’s feedback form.



Many features have been requested by players since January. These include raising the overall troop count to a whopping 10,000 soldiers in a single game, to match that of Stronghold Crusader Extreme, which we can confirm today. We have also made the addition of a few Islamic buildings and related workers for the game’s Arabic and Bedouin Lords, as well as many vital bug fixes. The latter addresses specific exploits and issues discovered by the game’s most dedicated players across more than 20 years of play.



From map sizes up to four times the size of those available in the original, through to custom toggles for skirmish mode and online leader boards, we are striving to tick every possible box for fans of the original game. A Definitive Edition should include absolutely everything possible that players want out of Crusader and that’s what this final version intends to deliver!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

Good day, my liege! After a few eagle-eyed players infiltrated the help files, Assassin style, in our Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition reveal demo, we thought it was time to pull back the curtain on our 8 new units. Today’s Feature Spotlight video brings with it new footage and juicy gameplay details for our Bedouin soldiers, expanding the original roster with fresh tactical options at launch on July 15th.



Inspired by the roaming Bedouin tribes of the Middle Eastern deserts, these eight new troops open up a whole new world of siege tactics (and hurt!) on your rival lords. Be they friends you played the OG Crusader with way back in the day or new Stronghold allies found in our official Discord server, enemy Lords and Ladies won’t know what hit them. From camel-riding lancers and bowmen, to sneaking fire-starters and demolition specialists, our expanded remaster adds plenty of new options for commanders in the art of medieval warfare.



In our latest Feature Spotlight we reveal exactly what these new units are capable of and how you might use them to your advantage in your next medieval conquest. So please check out the video, learn their strengths, weaknesses and let us know what you think in the comments below! Player feedback has been a huge part of the success of our Definitive Editions, so as always we’d love to hear your thoughts for this upcoming game and of course future titles.

Stay tuned for future videos to hear more about the updates and improvements coming to Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition and wishlist the game to be notified of the game's release at launch.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

Greetings My Liege!

As the warmth and green of spring finally begins to break through (At least... Here in the UK!) we are marching ever closer to our July 15th release date for this long awaited expanded remaster of your favourite Stronghold.

We know July feels like a million miles away right now, but rest assured we are working hard to implement your feedback and suggestions before launch. This is thanks in no small part to the more than 6,000 of you who filled out our demo feedback form and the 150,000 potential future players who have wishlisted Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition!



With today's new video we thought... What better way to toast this new season and alleviate some of that wait than with a sneak peek at our deadly new AI opponents, awaiting you this summer! From the wily and dastardly to the blunt and brutish, each of these new characters embody different cultures, employing unique units, castles and battle tactics, resulting in a completely fresh challenge for new players as well as returning series veterans.



In today's Feature Spotlight we also touch on a few changes coming to the game's original 16 enemy Lords, inspired by your suggestions and feedback in the whopping 20+ years since the game's initial release in 2002. This is just a taste of things to come, so please look forward to future videos spotlighting other tweaks that bring Crusader up to date in 2025.

Let us know which of these opponents you’re looking forward to fighting first and be sure to stay tuned here on Steam for the latest news on Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition!

👇 Add to Wishlist 👇
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

Since revealing Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition in January's Real-Time Strategy Fest, you have responded to our rally war cry in full force! With over 150,000 wishlists, 130,000 demo downloads and more than 6,000 helpful responses to our in-game player survey... Let's just say the granary is full, my Lord.

While you wait for our July 15th release, we hope this collection of updates from the team here at Firefly helps bring you up to speed about what you can expect from the final game, before we march back to the desert fortresses and arid plains of the past.

Please enjoy these updates and subscribe to Firefly Studios on YouTube for more reveals!

🎨 Artists Niall, Darrin, Jorge and Tom dive into the recreation of Crusader: DE's new visuals! Discover the extra animals and features coming to Crusader from our talented art team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTLaSzli2aQ

🏰 Studio Head Nick provides a general breakdown of our new expanded remaster of the classic Stronghold title. What is it exactly?! What's changed? Find out all this and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGQWSeQ4KqA

💬 Scouring the web for your most pressing questions, we present the Crusader: DE Community Q&A! From Discord to Reddit, Sak covers as many topics as he can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbz4Psdk3r4

👾 Aaron and Josh play through our Ascalon scenario, as featured in the first Crusader: DE playable demo. Enjoy this dev commentary and give us tips in the comments!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA__DBPWTQw

🎵 Masterfully composed by the legendary bard of Stronghold himself, we are proud to present ‘Caravan 2025’. Produced exclusively for Crusader: DE by Robert L. Euvino!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usMbeJ2-hMQ

Like what you see? Then wishlist Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition now ahead of the game’s July 15th 2025 release!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3024040/Stronghold_Crusader_Definitive_Edition/

Travel back in time to the legendary crusades for the holy land in this new expanded definitive edition, releasing this year on July 15th 2025 with brand new content, elevated graphics and extensive player-requested features all rebuilt by game’s original developers!

This title is many people’s favourite old-school 2D RTS, so taking this cult favourite and elevating it for the modern player has been an endeavour of passion for us – one that is only possible because of the community’s clear desire for this kind of classic strategy experience. The best way we could think of thanking you for your support has been to go above and beyond, with new AIs, missions, modes and maps, as well as the Steam multiplayer and workshop integrations that the original could never have had.

What better way to kick off the Steam RTS Fest than a demo of this reinvented gem, heralded with a shiny new reveal trailer, masterfully scored by the legendary bard of Stronghold himself, Robert L. Euvino! This trailer showcases the depth of work and love poured into the remaster. We really hope you enjoy it!

Flex your might against 20 challenging AI lords, charge through the new co-op trail with a friend or dive into skirmish mode featuring larger maps, custom options and quality of life fixes – Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition allows you to revisit a reimagined strategy classic and play exactly the way you want to!

Date: 13/01/25

Players recently reported an issue running the game after the release of the Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 Update. The Microsoft Update prevented the game running in full screen.

We are pleased to announce that we have resolved the issue. We have also supplied Microsoft with an explanation of what caused the issue which we hope they will use to release a new Microsoft Update to help any other games affected by the same issue caused by the Microsoft Windows 11 24H2 Update.