Paradox Interactive today announced that it has started development on Crusader Kings II. The follow-up to the highly-acclaimed grand-strategy title Crusader Kings, CK2 promises to take the franchise to the next level.

"The community’s outspoken demand for CK2 has been nothing short of incredible,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “Since the game was released in 2004, every single time we’ve announced a new title we’ve been barraged with questions as to when we’d finally do a Crusader Kings sequel. So it’s with great enthusiasm that we are formally announcing that we’ve started development on the game."

In Crusader Kings 2, players will get to control one of the great Christian Dynasties of the West, attempt to conquer all of Europe and liberate the Holy Land.

“Crusader Kings character system is what made it stand apart from any other game released on the market. With this sequel, we are committed to offering even more depth to the characters, making them feel truly alive with agendas and plots of their own” said Johan Andersson, Head of Development at Paradox Interactive.

Crusader Kings 2 is scheduled for release in Q1 2012.