The game contains numerous historical figures such as William the Conqueror, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Harold Godwinson, Robert Guiscard, Robert the Bruce, Harald Hardrada, El Cid, Constantine X Doukas, Harun al-Rashid, Alexios I Komnenos, Richard the Lionheart, Ivar the Boneless, Alfred the Great, Baldwin I of Jerusalem, Boleslaw the Bold and Saladin, but allows for the player to choose less significant figures such as minor dukes and counts, and creation of entirely new characters with the use of the 'Ruler Designer' DLC. Through the strategic use of war, marriages and assassinations among many other things, the player works to achieve success for their dynasty. The game is a dynasty simulator in which the player controls a Medieval dynasty from 1066 to 1337, though the DLC The Old Gods and Charlemagne allow for earlier start dates of 867 and 769 respectively, along with 936 with the Iron Century update.
