Lords of the Realm III couples fast paced combat action with compelling, in-depth strategic game play. Combining castle building, estate management, courtly diplomacy, real-time battling, siege and conquest, Lords of the Realm III is a richly detailed historical game of warfare and politics in a beautifully rendered historic medieval world. Lords III utilizes an all-new 3D engine, and is played entirely in real time, in single or multiplayer mode. Multiplayer games include various short, single-session scenarios or modes of play, in addition to longer campaigns. Though Lords III is historically based, the emphasis is not on historical authenticity, but on delivering a flavorful rendition of the popular conception of this period (which fortunately is not too far from the historical reality). Throughout the course of the game you will strive to rise from simple beginnings to rule the medieval world, overcoming land-hungry bishops and scheming merchant princes, while exploiting the knights' soldiers, peasants, and craftspeople at your disposal.