Tragedy: Crusader Kings 3’s pope DLC will not let you use blood boys to prolong your life, and yes I did ask the devs
Crusader Kings 3’s upcoming expansion By God Alone, launching September 30, will allow players to take on the role of pope for the first time. The article humorously references a dark historical anecdote about Pope Innocent VIII, who in 1492 allegedly hired three boys to donate their blood in a desperate attempt to restore his failing health—a practice that resulted in the deaths of all three boys and the pope himself, occurring long before modern medical understanding of the circulatory system.
The article’s tongue-in-cheek title mourns a missing game mechanic: despite the historical inspiration, the expansion will not include a feature allowing players to use blood transfusions to prolong their pope character’s lifespan. The author explicitly confirmed this absence by asking the developers directly, adding to the piece’s lighthearted tone.
The coverage highlights the new papal gameplay possibilities coming to Crusader Kings 3 while serving as witty commentary on both obscure historical curiosities and modern game design decisions.