Ask Paradox Development Studio anything!

[Meneth]

I can use shift and space bar when using the mouse. It's multiple keyboard keys at the same time that I struggle with eg. running and jumping at the same time while maintaining direction.

The most complex action in Paradox grand strategy games (Europa Universalis 4, Crusader Kings II, Victoria 2, Hearts of Iron 3) would be dragging boxes around units, while possibly holding down shift or similar as a modifier.
The games are difficult from a gameplay perspective, but from a control perspective they're very simplistic.
Crusader Kings II has a demo you could try. It can be downloaded on its Steam page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/203770/

 

[Meneth]

Don't EU 4 have a demo too? It at least had when it came out.

It does, yeah: http://store.steampowered.com/app/236850/

 

[Mrop]

Here's a good question for the lot of you devs: What's your favorite drink? (if you drink at all of course). I prefer beer myself.

Dr Pepper, for obvious reasons.

 

[SolSara]

Here's a good question for the lot of you devs: What's your favorite drink? (if you drink at all of course). I prefer beer myself.

Alcoholic drink: Mojito
Beer: Old Rasputin Imperial Stout
Cider: Dry ones, Magners is OK and most ciders with elderflower are nice.
Wine: White, Tokaji or Riesling are my favorites
Hot beverage: Tea, with honey. Green tea: Jasmine. Black tea: Chai. Rooibos: Vanilla or chocolate.
Other: Mead.
Regular: Water, preferably sparkling with some kind of flavoring (the Ramlösa or Loka kind).

I went to Poland this summer and brought home Miodula, honey vodka, and Soplica Orzech Laskowy, hazelnut vodka. Both works very well in drinks.

 

[Meneth]

Do you ever have dance off's in the office to settle debates? If not why not?

All wiki related communication happens via interpretative dance.

 

[Mrop]

So that's what hipsters nowadays drink for... diabetes.

Do you ever have dance off's in the office to settle debates? If not why not?

Not since the incident.

 

[ForzaA]

Dr Pepper, for obvious reasons.

The obvious reason being that you're a bad person and you want to feel bad?

 

[Johan]

Will Paradox ruin my marriage and release HOI IV and Stellaris roghly at the same time?

Most likely not, as that would be a very bad business decision.

 

[Meneth]

El Dorado is currently 50% off: https://www.paradoxplaza.com/europa-universalis-iv-el-dorado

 

[Zoft]

I found a similar question in this thread, but sadly, it wasn't answered.

What about the hardware at the office? Do you all get the same new shiny stuff if anything? Do you use parts from different manufacturers and different OS? Does Q&A have access to a lot of different setups?

I'm especially asking because in my experience, nothing is worse for MP stability than extremely different hardware and setups. And we want your MP games to be constantly breaking, so you fix issues before release, no?

Most of us has more or less the same hardware, but we have at least one OSX and one Linux machine on each team these days. QA have access to some more varied hardware setups and try to test on these.

Honestly my personal opinion is that we have a lot to improve in this area, but we are actively working towards doing that.

 

[Mrop]

To the programming gurus, I hope this is an appropriate question (not a tech support question). I'm just curious how do you guys go about drawing map borders. I've noticed from observation that you handle them as long strips, however how do you determine to break that strip and start a new one? To illustrate my question, I'll use CK2 as an example, however I noticed this on EU4 as well. I've always noticed them and wasn't sure why they couldn't just be one long strip rather then broken strips. Thanks!

Well each border between two provinces is created as a separate strip, and then the texture is swapped out depending on if it is an internal or international border. In other words, each border between two province is separate and knows nothing about its nearby border friends. It certainly could, but it would require re-calculating the meshes as provinces change ownership and I have no idea how expensive that would be. You would also have to handle three-way intersections which would be a bit tricky to get right. Nothing that is not doable, just requires someone to spend time on it.

 

[SolSara]

I am unable to take a screenshot, but I found one online anyway:

 

[SolSara]

Alongside that note, what was the first computer game you worked on (unfinished school projects count too!)?

Shopper Rush, it was available online but I can't seem to find it anymore. Here's a Youtube video:

 

[Kallocain]

Noticed podcat in the Bowdain 1891 Tug of War team:

Spoiler

Vicky4 confirmed?

I's sorry, but I'm not sure which one you refer to as podcat? Please specify. I need to tease him, and it will be hilarious.

 

[podcat]

I's sorry, but I'm not sure which one you refer to as podcat? Please specify. I need to tease him, and it will be hilarious.

not sure how being any of those fine gentlemen would be something to tease about *stokes moustache*

 

[podcat]

(disclaimer: my opinion) Of course someone will. It's getting easier to make games

I dont think it has, I think making games has gotten harder. Productions are bigger and you need to put a ton of effort into sticking out from the competition as well as people demanding very long play time etc as well as competing with people who are building on several sequels or expansions already when trying to do something new.

also Skyrim had like a million things that could be improved (my opinion of course, no game is ever perfect even if its great)

 

[podcat]

I'd ask the developers of HoI4 to make it possible to create your own generals (I think "Victoria" has such a concept), and the possibility to edit them.

you can do that in HOI4. Editing generals tho, thats more like modding (which you can do).

 

[Pallidum]

Haha. The tallest one.

 

[Zoft]

Considering all the DLCs released for CK2 and EU4 [and will be released for HoI4 and Vic3] do you plan to improve the Launcher interface.
I was thinking in the lines of the current interface with the addition of 4 vertical icon-tabs on the side: Expansion, Cosmetic, Music, Other [books etc.].

**If possible, I'd appreciate it to be in the release of the 1.14 patch of EU4

Yes, it is planned. I can't tell you when at this time, sorry.

 

[Meneth]

Also, are you all from Sweden?

Groogy is a Dane.
DDRJake is British I think.
There are other non-Swedes beyond those two.

I work for PI, not PDS, but I'm Norwegian.