Firefly Studios is planning an aggressive post-content roadmap for Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition. In addition to the usual fixes, improvements and balancing expected of an expanded RTS remaster like Crusader, Firefly is also planning two major updates coming later this year.

Following the positive reception of their two public demos, the first released on January 20th alongside the game’s reveal and a second in June’s Steam Next Fest, the ‘castle sim’ developer can now commit to two major content updates. As a result, the aforementioned Autumn and Winter Updates will both be released this year, alongside two separate paid DLCs.

Alongside community driven features coming at launch, which include new buildings and increased unit caps, Firefly’s post-release plan supplements those already confirmed. With 93 percent of players expressing an interest in Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition DLC, it was clear to the developer that post-launch content was something their community wanted.

The free 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 the city builder gameplay mechanics of the castle builder series. The new computer-controlled commander can meanwhile be played as friend or foe, selectable in the game’s offline skirmish and online multiplayer modes as an opponent or ally. Last but not least, three new maps will also be added, one for skirmish, another in Free Build mode and a balanced multiplayer battlefield.

Editor’s Note: Check out our review of the definitive edition of the first Stronghold game.

Following this content drop, the game’s free Winter Update will add perhaps the greatest player request so far…the ability to customize CPU opponents, castles and campaigns! Players will be able to create the rivals or allies of their dreams (or nightmares), design their defenses 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 campaign of missions. Were 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 might just 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.

Releasing alongside these updates will be a pair of paid DLCs, which in Stronghold tradition will each introduce two new CPU opponents and a series of challenging missions known to fans as a ‘skirmish trail’. More will be revealed about these characters in due course, however today’s video may contain some clues for eagle eyed viewers. Either way you can expect a proper challenge, with some formidable new opponents mixing things up for series veterans.

Players can wishlist Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition now on Steam ahead of the game’s July 15th release date.