Start at any given date - The verdict!

[Johan]

We want to know about how you use it.

[James The 1st]

I usually only play from the start.

[lordreaven448]

I sometimes try new start dates to muck around, but the VAST majority of the time I play the earliest start date.

[Me_]

Does that mean they're planning to remove later starts for EU3 or that they're about to decide how EU4 should work?

I've never played a game starting later than 1492, but I'd rather they kept at least a few start dates beyond the earliest one.

[Iwanow]

Well, i can't vote, is it because i am on probation?

Anyway, i tried few start dates, but only to check few things, mostly i play from earliest date.

EDIT:

Does that mean they're planning to remove later starts for EU3 or that they're about to decide how EU4 should work?

I don't think so.

[GAGA Extrem]

I usually play from the very beginning, but I really enjoy to browse through the dates one year at a time and select interesting start dates.

[Chronicler]

Iwanow: Probably, because I can't vote either.

[Tigurus Fay]

I mostly start from the start. Mostly for the achievements.
Though I like how it changes the world and gives you different scenarios.

But yeah, mostly the start.

[Asterion]

I too enjoy browsing the myriad of different start dates, and have started several games at post-1399 dates. However, 1399 is usually where I start.

[Iwanow]

Does that mean they're planning to remove later starts for EU3 or that they're about to decide how EU4 should work?

I've never played a game starting later than 1492, but I'd rather they kept at least a few start dates beyond the earliest one.

Well, i think that they might focus more on starting date history files if most players will say that they start from the beggining. Because at least now, there are many flaws.

[DanubianCossak]

Well having options is always nice BUT

IF we are faced with a choice of

a.) more polished game overall if only one start date is covered

b.) less polished game overall if you try to cover EVERYTHING

I have to vote for a.)

Yes like i said, having options is great, fun and all that, BUT if we are to judge the game experience i would rather have more to do with 1 start date (and enjoy higher quality) than have an ability to scroll through history, choose a game and then get bored couple of hours later.

The fact that im also modding EU3 sort of impacts my view, since i know exactly how time consuming editing history files can be. If i could again, choose between having Paradox work on hardcodded stuff (game mechanics, AI etc) OR work on history files (that literally ANYONE can open with text files), ill go for game mechanics every time.

But thats just me.

[Linx MP]

I would use the different start dates if it is needed to start as a specific country and I have used it in EU3 vanilla for that purpose but in all honesty I have not used a different start date from the earliest in years.

[Ivir Baggins]

I've never started after 1405, and even then that's only for a few nations, such as TO, any Balkan nation, or any Russian nation.

[Me_]

Well having options is always nice BUT

IF we are faced with a choice of

a.) more polished game overall if only one start date is covered

b.) less polished game overall if you try to cover EVERYTHING

I have to vote for a.)

Yes like i said, having options is great, fun and all that, BUT if we are to judge the game experience i would rather have more to do with 1 start date (and enjoy higher quality) than have an ability to scroll through history, choose a game and then get bored couple of hours later.

The fact that im also modding EU3 sort of impacts my view, since i know exactly how time consuming editing history files can be. If i could again, choose between having Paradox work on hardcodded stuff (game mechanics, AI etc) OR work on history files (that literally ANYONE can open with text files), ill go for game mechanics every time.

But thats just me.

They could outsource the province history stuff to Magna Mundi Team (or just rip-off Magna Mundi history files ).

[DanubianCossak]

They could outsource the province history stuff to Magna Mundi Team (or just rip-off Magna Mundi history files ).

Whatever produces EU3 patch of higher quality is fine with me

[Johnny X]

Unfortunately, my preferred option is not available - I have tried a few starts but almost always use one after the earliest (in my case 1st August 1405).

That said, it's a luxury and I can certainly live with one start date.

[Dauth]

Tried a few others to play historical nations but generally start from the beginning. Also once used the fact that you start with cores on all owned provinces to have Rome and Urbino as Naples in 1406 without having to Annex the Pope.

[Nilspart]

I only start at 1399.

[sprites]

I voted I like changing starts , i'd say 50% have been 1399. (1st nov for playing Provence , two weeks make you free! )

[Camara]

Always play the earliest date possible, it's all the time possible to manage the country myself.