The launch of Crusader Kings 3 earlier this month was an exciting moment for many, promising hours of intrigue, backstabbing and battles – but for one fan of the series, the moment brought mixed emotions.
“Feeling very bittersweet about tonight and the release of Crusader Kings 3,” a user called Mr_Minot posted on the Crusader Kings subreddit. “The last conversation I had with my little brother consisted of him begging me to start a new game of Crusader Kings 2 with him.”
The post, made by Atlanta resident and mental health therapist Grant Sparks, explained that Grant’s brother Lucas had also been a huge fan of the series, and the two brothers had put thousands of hours into Crusader Kings 2 together. Grant provided the war chest, Lucas carried out the campaigns, and together they conquered vast swathes of the world – with neither ever betraying the other. But, tragically, it all came to an end far too soon.
“The last time we spoke, he called to ask if I wanted to start a new game,” Grant explained. “I couldn’t do it, because it was the night before my semester started and I had to be at class at six in the morning. He gave me a hard time about it for a few minutes, because he was bored and just wanted to conquer some land with his big brother, but he understood.