Crusader Kings 3's upcoming 'By God Alone' expansion, set to launch on September 30, will introduce playable popes to the grand strategy game. However, contrary to some historical anecdotes and modern sensationalism, the game will not feature a mechanic for players to use the blood of young boys to prolong their lives.
The developers were specifically asked about the practice, which is tied to a morbid tale surrounding Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. According to the apocryphal story, three boys were tasked with donating their blood in an attempt to revive the ailing pontiff, a procedure that resulted in the deaths of both the boys and the pope. While this tale has been embellished over time, sometimes involving claims of direct blood consumption, it is widely considered historical propaganda.
Paradox PR manager Jesse Henning clarified that the exclusion of such a mechanic was due to realism rather than a desire to avoid controversial themes. "Inappropriate due to realism, not due to atrocity," Henning stated, explaining that the historical period associated with Innocent VIII is at the very end of Crusader Kings 3's playable timeline, making such an event impractical within the game's design.
While Crusader Kings 3 allows for many outlandish in-game actions, including cannibalism, the specific 'blood boy' life extension feature will not be implemented. Players can, however, explore other historical eccentricities and political machinations of the papacy within the game's new expansion.