I have just achieved the German game (German is the new lingua franca of Europe, after the Nice Summit 
), and after several essays/errors, I think I can finish the Great Campaign.
As a teacher, this game is useful in order to understand the History (past, present and future),and the focus in other parts of the planet ( not a usual vision at the school) and how things are as they are, and not “if Napoleon would had win Waterloo…”, etc, etc…
And I want to proof the cronology of EU, how different is from the written History, if I try to follow the written History,… because conquer the world (“manu militari”) is foolish and childish.
I tried to play a peaceful campaign of discovering, colonization and
trade as SPAIN but the events put me into the huracan eye by 1560 against
my thoughts and all the enemies on the Earth, as a matter of fact they did.
It all began in 1492, with the battles against GRANADA ending with its
anexation by SPAIN. (Historic: yes)
I have some islands in the Mediterranian like Sardinia and Sicilia, and
the inheritance of the Low lands in the north of Europe. At the end of the
1493, the diplomatic situation is tense. The Polish are at war with Kurland, supported by Hansa and Portugal. In the other hand, Turkey is fighting against Mameluks , Venice and Irak.
All my efforts these years will center in exploration . So Colon discovers America.
In 1500, I establish my first colony in Puerto Rico and by 1510 I have
already colonized most of caribbean sea and central America, and 4
territories in Africa, from River Muni to Mogadiscio. I have established 5
trading posts in the Caribbean 'islands of Barlovento', very wealthy
indeed.
Things are going well.
The war of Turkey is solved in his favour. Venice claims for a humilliating
peace, ceding 105 D +Illyria+Cyprus. Mameluks pays 185 D. Thousands of
venetians and mameluks lie died in the battlefields of East Mediterranean,
and theirs fleets are in the bottom of the sea.
By this time, Rusia begins with their long neighbourhood-wars against
Kazan, Astrakan and the Golden Horde, succesfullies and profitable warsin
cash and lands.
In 1501, the Turks declare war on Mameluks, Irak and Venice expanding its
lands enormously.
My explorers are doing a well job: De la Cosa discover “Tierra de fuego” and
Colon and Pinzon are sailing the coasts of north america and east africa. (Not Historic, too much early).
My colonizadores walk in the far west and south america and the colonies
are growing quickly. My incomes are more than I really need.
During this period until 1529 only a pokeful of minor or very located wars
disturb the trade ambiance in Eurpoe. The most important of them is in
which Danemark offers Iceland and Jylland to England for peace. Danemark has been hit by Hansa, Sweden, England, France , Scotland and Turkey while his ally, Russia didn't move a finger to aid the poors vikings. (Historic?)
In this war, Danemark lost almost 120.000 men and about 40 ships were sunk.
I can see the fog of burn in Coppenhaguen from Madrid.
In 1521 I build my first Naval school in Galicia. (Technology will be not expensive)
The dance of alliances is very fast and shocking in Europe, but I'm not interested in join any adventure here, I'm more interested in America and Africa.
1523, and I have colonies in most of America provinces except Brasil.
Oops, I've colonized a province which 'belongs' to Portugal for 'The Tordesillas
Treaty' (Historic: division of the world between Spain and Portugal)
I was going to join Portugal but.... They hate Spain now. What a pity.
I build a brewery in Valencia.(Generate wealthy: commerce, more incomes, exportation…) I have a lot of gold and no interest in wars , but i'm placing fortresses in all my empire . ¿Who will be the first strike
?
In 1524 I 've got annexed the empire of Aztecas and in 1525 the Inca's Empire. Cortes and Grijalba have done a good job in two main battles , been outnumbered by the aztecs (40.000 - 2500) and by the Incas (37.000- 2600) with minimal losses of 76 and 147 men respectively.(Historic: more or less)
In 1529 the coalition beetwen France and Scotland declares war on England
and Sweden. Europe is in flames. You can see war fleets in any sea and the
armys are moving in every province except in Germany. Well, i Though that
they will fight against me, but I'm going to sit and wait the match.
Both sides have very heavy losses in naval resources and armys. The graph is clear. They were the naval superpowers in 1529. In 1530 they are respectively, the 5th and the 6th .
The Scottishmen are fighting bravely against the Englishmen. I want to join them
in next war ¡!.
England is in kneels and issues for peace. Yorkshire, The Marches and 250 D
is the price for the right to survive
The main battle take place in Yorkshire, ,with an army of 25000 against
38000 englishmen.
At the end of the battle, the English army was running home with only 7000
survivors. The 22000 Scots in the battlefield were picking up theirs
souvenirs and playing their pipes.
I think they could have tried the collapse of england with succes.
England also offer Calais to France.
Turks are playing good cards in the east and its empire is growing and
growing like the royal treasure. I think they'll be my real enemy, not
France or England.
The Polish are also in a strong position in east Europe, with a Rusia
starting to build the empire of Tsars. (Historic: yes?)
By 1535, Cabeza de Vaca has explored the whole North America, and the
entire map of America, except 6 provinces in Brasil are spanish. This give
me the pole position in the world market of sugar, tobacco, furs, gold,
wheat....(Historic:more or less)
In Europe, after a couple of peacefully years, a new war france - england
and their allies.
This war involves mostly their exhausted fleets in the waves of the manche.
My merchants in Flandes assist to the total defeat of 50 french ships. I
don't think english will take prisoners. It's a black day for France. I
wonder...¿what naval level do they have english? I must know it because I'm
planning to attack them and reduce their fleet to ashes.... It's my only
nightmare in these years of full splendour and wealthy.
In 1539 I place an “Academia de Arte” in Castilla.(more stability, less revolts, more tolerancy…) The golden century has
just begining. (Historic: Velazquez, Murillo, Zurbaran, Cervantes,.. will be later +-1600)
A part of the English-French war,in Europe, Austria has grow fast. Bohemia
is annexed in 1540.
Portugal is attacked by Morocco and Tunise. The Portuguese fleet is caught
in their way to help Tanger with 15 ships. Only one can escape to Lisbon.
The bodys mutilated of nearly 12000 portuguese are arriving now to the
beach of gibraltar.(Historic: the death of King Sebastian+-1580 in Morocco )
1544: Austria offers me to enter in the alliance with Naples, Georgia and
the pope. ¿why not? I'm building a strong fleet in the mediterranean and
got a good admiral. Maybe this will serve to me to check the strenght of my
truly rival in Europe: Turkey.
The war is on fire !!
Georgia attacks the Turks and their army is crushed. Bad movement....
Naples and the Pope are saliling in this time up and down, but no armies
are in march. I think I'll have to send a expeditionary force to 'find
adventure' and receive news of the war. Target: Tunisia.(Historic: several Spanish bases in the North Africa against the slaver pirates: Oran, Constantina, Goulette, Bugia…)
A quick look at the rest of the world shows me that Portuguese are
suffering to protect their colonies from native attacks. Babies, you're
firing the musket by the wrong side !!!
Anyway, they own still the only pass to Far east in Asia, but they seem to
be extremely weak to resist any attack of an europen power. I'm not
interested at all in Portugal , but Fernando Poo or Tanger are very
interesting places to expand my commerce and to protect my trade routes
from the muslims pirates.
Now I have quasi-completed my expansion in America and must secure them
quickly (a lot of provinces keep no colonized in Africa, but is dangerous
to grow so fast without armys to defend your possesions..., I decide to
employ my funds in making my fortress powerful for preventing any sneak
invasion.
A new problem for me appears: the piracy. With the rich COT in Zacatecas,
the zone of Antilles become quickly a nest of pirates. I send two fleets of
15 galleons permanently to the caribbean sea (the historic 'Armada de
Barlovento') to beat the pirates, radicated in P. Rico and Venezuela.
I'm going to take note of the losses in this 'dark fight'. (Historic: more than 5000 galleons are in the deep seas between 1520-1822; … the Bank of England is founded with the golden bars of Spanish galleons. A question: with the wealthy cargos,… nowadays, will have Spain become a very industrious country, or Netherlands would be an Ulster today? Who are the owner of the sunken pieces of eight? Antwerpen (destiny of the soldier’s salaries), the kings of Spain( ordered by them), Potosi-Zacatecas(the mines), the treasure hunters…)
News from Europe: Russia continues to smashing their neighbours, Austria
doing the same anexing Serbia+Hellas, and England, making Scotland paying
back all the ancient litiges.
In the north of Europe, Sweden is wining the pulse against Danemark, and
the german states are very actives in diplomacy. A big storm seems to be
approaching....but from where? I've been too much time in America and the
alliances have changed.
Let me see..... who is now ally of France? and of England? and Turkey?
Hey !!! I'm alone. And a fast look at the table of friendship shows me that
every superpower hates me , except Poland and Rusia.
Well, put on your morrion and the knife on the teeth, ...we're
going to fight in five fronts.
At this point were the war seems to be inevitable, I count the losses I had
in the 50 years of exploration :
I lost 19.358 soldiers in battles against natives and attrition in
America, Africa and Asia.
44 ships sunk (26-1-17).
211.450 natives eliminated in battles (mainly in America, with two big
battles in Cuzco and Michoagan)àBlack Legend is just showed, but where is the Rose Legend?(Friendly natives as the Tlaxcatecas, mestissage, cooperation in colonies, creoles, etc…maybe this would be a random event)
1553, 23 apr.My expeditionary forces took Tunisia in a bloody battle in the
sand of the desert. (10.000 inf + 2000 cav +30 can) leads by Aguirre (Not historical)
against 47.000 inf.
I lost 2400 men vs 26000 tunnisians.
Morocco support the tunnisians and decide to attack my colony near the
Canary islands, but their army suffer heavy losses in the march along the
desert (from 87.000 to 36.000).
I only wait and see with my garrison of 2000 men. ¿will they arrive ¿¿at
least one to fight to?
From Sicily, an army of 6000 inf disembark in the north of Morocco and
other from galicia of 12000 inf disembark in the capital.
When In this task, a messenger arrives to Madrid: 'Sir, Portugal has
declared us the war') (Historic: war of 1580 and annexion)
¿What? ¿are you sure?..oh, well... let's going to take Tanger.
Another messenger: 'Sir, the low lands are revolting'
-Oh, shit, I know that tonight I couldn't sleep.
-¿How many are revolting?
- Sir, I can see 5 armys of 40.000 - 50000 men each
- ¿How many are ours?
- 31.000
- wow, The storm has arrived. ¿next?
I concentrate my forces in order to end the war against Morocco , that I
get in three months offering me Sahara.
Next I invade Portugal and siege Azores and Tanger. All the Portuguese
colonies in America are taken by one army of 500 men and in a naval battle
I get the way to China. (20 spanish galeons vs 22 portuguese (15 -0-7))
I lost 1 galeon by 9-0- 4 lusos's.
Sept 1558. Tanger is taken. Azores is taken, Fernando Poo,.....
1559 The Low lands become independent. (Historic: revolts began more or less, but too much early for the independence) I was waiting for the end of the
portuguese war to get there a strong army but I think it's too late.
They've taken Flandes but I keep the three catholic provinces.
Suddenly, France declares war to the new built country and with a huge army
of 150.000 men enters in burning everything they find.
¿where were they catched? I can only hear the holland cry's of pain and
death in the night from my south border. The low lands are red in blood and
the flag of France is raised in 3 of their provinces. The COT of Flandes
changes his owner. (Historic: the French storm was with King Louis XIV: 200.000 vs. 8000 Spaniards, a veritable flood)
In the spanish side, Tunisia is annexed and I recognize the independence of
the Low lands.
I think that a strong navy will be drastically important to preserve my
colonies in all over the world, so I begin a massive production of galleon
fleets in strategical points of the map. I'm leading the naval tech, but
I've heard that England is going to have some good sailors.
Now I've got the best of them, Alvaro de Bazan, but I must use him before
his die (historically in 1587) or the history of the Invincible Armada will repeat. If he can lead my warships in the north sea the victory is clear.
Enough for a whole week. I am really exhausted, but I enjoy very much (and without patches). Very detailed and completed . Very good AI. A lot of diplomacy, but not tactical battles. Yes, didactic and comprehensive. Maybe the next EU2 will be the game of the year 2001.
), and after several essays/errors, I think I can finish the Great Campaign.As a teacher, this game is useful in order to understand the History (past, present and future),and the focus in other parts of the planet ( not a usual vision at the school) and how things are as they are, and not “if Napoleon would had win Waterloo…”, etc, etc…
And I want to proof the cronology of EU, how different is from the written History, if I try to follow the written History,… because conquer the world (“manu militari”) is foolish and childish.
I tried to play a peaceful campaign of discovering, colonization and
trade as SPAIN but the events put me into the huracan eye by 1560 against
my thoughts and all the enemies on the Earth, as a matter of fact they did.
It all began in 1492, with the battles against GRANADA ending with its
anexation by SPAIN. (Historic: yes)
I have some islands in the Mediterranian like Sardinia and Sicilia, and
the inheritance of the Low lands in the north of Europe. At the end of the
1493, the diplomatic situation is tense. The Polish are at war with Kurland, supported by Hansa and Portugal. In the other hand, Turkey is fighting against Mameluks , Venice and Irak.
All my efforts these years will center in exploration . So Colon discovers America.
In 1500, I establish my first colony in Puerto Rico and by 1510 I have
already colonized most of caribbean sea and central America, and 4
territories in Africa, from River Muni to Mogadiscio. I have established 5
trading posts in the Caribbean 'islands of Barlovento', very wealthy
indeed.
Things are going well.
The war of Turkey is solved in his favour. Venice claims for a humilliating
peace, ceding 105 D +Illyria+Cyprus. Mameluks pays 185 D. Thousands of
venetians and mameluks lie died in the battlefields of East Mediterranean,
and theirs fleets are in the bottom of the sea.
By this time, Rusia begins with their long neighbourhood-wars against
Kazan, Astrakan and the Golden Horde, succesfullies and profitable warsin
cash and lands.
In 1501, the Turks declare war on Mameluks, Irak and Venice expanding its
lands enormously.
My explorers are doing a well job: De la Cosa discover “Tierra de fuego” and
Colon and Pinzon are sailing the coasts of north america and east africa. (Not Historic, too much early).
My colonizadores walk in the far west and south america and the colonies
are growing quickly. My incomes are more than I really need.
During this period until 1529 only a pokeful of minor or very located wars
disturb the trade ambiance in Eurpoe. The most important of them is in
which Danemark offers Iceland and Jylland to England for peace. Danemark has been hit by Hansa, Sweden, England, France , Scotland and Turkey while his ally, Russia didn't move a finger to aid the poors vikings. (Historic?)
In this war, Danemark lost almost 120.000 men and about 40 ships were sunk.
I can see the fog of burn in Coppenhaguen from Madrid.
In 1521 I build my first Naval school in Galicia. (Technology will be not expensive)
The dance of alliances is very fast and shocking in Europe, but I'm not interested in join any adventure here, I'm more interested in America and Africa.
1523, and I have colonies in most of America provinces except Brasil.
Oops, I've colonized a province which 'belongs' to Portugal for 'The Tordesillas
Treaty' (Historic: division of the world between Spain and Portugal)
I was going to join Portugal but.... They hate Spain now. What a pity.
I build a brewery in Valencia.(Generate wealthy: commerce, more incomes, exportation…) I have a lot of gold and no interest in wars , but i'm placing fortresses in all my empire . ¿Who will be the first strike
?
In 1524 I 've got annexed the empire of Aztecas and in 1525 the Inca's Empire. Cortes and Grijalba have done a good job in two main battles , been outnumbered by the aztecs (40.000 - 2500) and by the Incas (37.000- 2600) with minimal losses of 76 and 147 men respectively.(Historic: more or less)
In 1529 the coalition beetwen France and Scotland declares war on England
and Sweden. Europe is in flames. You can see war fleets in any sea and the
armys are moving in every province except in Germany. Well, i Though that
they will fight against me, but I'm going to sit and wait the match.
Both sides have very heavy losses in naval resources and armys. The graph is clear. They were the naval superpowers in 1529. In 1530 they are respectively, the 5th and the 6th .
The Scottishmen are fighting bravely against the Englishmen. I want to join them
in next war ¡!.
England is in kneels and issues for peace. Yorkshire, The Marches and 250 D
is the price for the right to survive
The main battle take place in Yorkshire, ,with an army of 25000 against
38000 englishmen.
At the end of the battle, the English army was running home with only 7000
survivors. The 22000 Scots in the battlefield were picking up theirs
souvenirs and playing their pipes.
I think they could have tried the collapse of england with succes.
England also offer Calais to France.
Turks are playing good cards in the east and its empire is growing and
growing like the royal treasure. I think they'll be my real enemy, not
France or England.
The Polish are also in a strong position in east Europe, with a Rusia
starting to build the empire of Tsars. (Historic: yes?)
By 1535, Cabeza de Vaca has explored the whole North America, and the
entire map of America, except 6 provinces in Brasil are spanish. This give
me the pole position in the world market of sugar, tobacco, furs, gold,
wheat....(Historic:more or less)
In Europe, after a couple of peacefully years, a new war france - england
and their allies.
This war involves mostly their exhausted fleets in the waves of the manche.
My merchants in Flandes assist to the total defeat of 50 french ships. I
don't think english will take prisoners. It's a black day for France. I
wonder...¿what naval level do they have english? I must know it because I'm
planning to attack them and reduce their fleet to ashes.... It's my only
nightmare in these years of full splendour and wealthy.
In 1539 I place an “Academia de Arte” in Castilla.(more stability, less revolts, more tolerancy…) The golden century has
just begining. (Historic: Velazquez, Murillo, Zurbaran, Cervantes,.. will be later +-1600)
A part of the English-French war,in Europe, Austria has grow fast. Bohemia
is annexed in 1540.
Portugal is attacked by Morocco and Tunise. The Portuguese fleet is caught
in their way to help Tanger with 15 ships. Only one can escape to Lisbon.
The bodys mutilated of nearly 12000 portuguese are arriving now to the
beach of gibraltar.(Historic: the death of King Sebastian+-1580 in Morocco )
1544: Austria offers me to enter in the alliance with Naples, Georgia and
the pope. ¿why not? I'm building a strong fleet in the mediterranean and
got a good admiral. Maybe this will serve to me to check the strenght of my
truly rival in Europe: Turkey.
The war is on fire !!
Georgia attacks the Turks and their army is crushed. Bad movement....
Naples and the Pope are saliling in this time up and down, but no armies
are in march. I think I'll have to send a expeditionary force to 'find
adventure' and receive news of the war. Target: Tunisia.(Historic: several Spanish bases in the North Africa against the slaver pirates: Oran, Constantina, Goulette, Bugia…)
A quick look at the rest of the world shows me that Portuguese are
suffering to protect their colonies from native attacks. Babies, you're
firing the musket by the wrong side !!!
Anyway, they own still the only pass to Far east in Asia, but they seem to
be extremely weak to resist any attack of an europen power. I'm not
interested at all in Portugal , but Fernando Poo or Tanger are very
interesting places to expand my commerce and to protect my trade routes
from the muslims pirates.
Now I have quasi-completed my expansion in America and must secure them
quickly (a lot of provinces keep no colonized in Africa, but is dangerous
to grow so fast without armys to defend your possesions..., I decide to
employ my funds in making my fortress powerful for preventing any sneak
invasion.
A new problem for me appears: the piracy. With the rich COT in Zacatecas,
the zone of Antilles become quickly a nest of pirates. I send two fleets of
15 galleons permanently to the caribbean sea (the historic 'Armada de
Barlovento') to beat the pirates, radicated in P. Rico and Venezuela.
I'm going to take note of the losses in this 'dark fight'. (Historic: more than 5000 galleons are in the deep seas between 1520-1822; … the Bank of England is founded with the golden bars of Spanish galleons. A question: with the wealthy cargos,… nowadays, will have Spain become a very industrious country, or Netherlands would be an Ulster today? Who are the owner of the sunken pieces of eight? Antwerpen (destiny of the soldier’s salaries), the kings of Spain( ordered by them), Potosi-Zacatecas(the mines), the treasure hunters…)
News from Europe: Russia continues to smashing their neighbours, Austria
doing the same anexing Serbia+Hellas, and England, making Scotland paying
back all the ancient litiges.
In the north of Europe, Sweden is wining the pulse against Danemark, and
the german states are very actives in diplomacy. A big storm seems to be
approaching....but from where? I've been too much time in America and the
alliances have changed.
Let me see..... who is now ally of France? and of England? and Turkey?
Hey !!! I'm alone. And a fast look at the table of friendship shows me that
every superpower hates me , except Poland and Rusia.
Well, put on your morrion and the knife on the teeth, ...we're
going to fight in five fronts.
At this point were the war seems to be inevitable, I count the losses I had
in the 50 years of exploration :
I lost 19.358 soldiers in battles against natives and attrition in
America, Africa and Asia.
44 ships sunk (26-1-17).
211.450 natives eliminated in battles (mainly in America, with two big
battles in Cuzco and Michoagan)àBlack Legend is just showed, but where is the Rose Legend?(Friendly natives as the Tlaxcatecas, mestissage, cooperation in colonies, creoles, etc…maybe this would be a random event)
1553, 23 apr.My expeditionary forces took Tunisia in a bloody battle in the
sand of the desert. (10.000 inf + 2000 cav +30 can) leads by Aguirre (Not historical)
against 47.000 inf.
I lost 2400 men vs 26000 tunnisians.
Morocco support the tunnisians and decide to attack my colony near the
Canary islands, but their army suffer heavy losses in the march along the
desert (from 87.000 to 36.000).
I only wait and see with my garrison of 2000 men. ¿will they arrive ¿¿at
least one to fight to?
From Sicily, an army of 6000 inf disembark in the north of Morocco and
other from galicia of 12000 inf disembark in the capital.
When In this task, a messenger arrives to Madrid: 'Sir, Portugal has
declared us the war') (Historic: war of 1580 and annexion)
¿What? ¿are you sure?..oh, well... let's going to take Tanger.
Another messenger: 'Sir, the low lands are revolting'
-Oh, shit, I know that tonight I couldn't sleep.
-¿How many are revolting?
- Sir, I can see 5 armys of 40.000 - 50000 men each
- ¿How many are ours?
- 31.000
- wow, The storm has arrived. ¿next?
I concentrate my forces in order to end the war against Morocco , that I
get in three months offering me Sahara.
Next I invade Portugal and siege Azores and Tanger. All the Portuguese
colonies in America are taken by one army of 500 men and in a naval battle
I get the way to China. (20 spanish galeons vs 22 portuguese (15 -0-7))
I lost 1 galeon by 9-0- 4 lusos's.
Sept 1558. Tanger is taken. Azores is taken, Fernando Poo,.....
1559 The Low lands become independent. (Historic: revolts began more or less, but too much early for the independence) I was waiting for the end of the
portuguese war to get there a strong army but I think it's too late.
They've taken Flandes but I keep the three catholic provinces.
Suddenly, France declares war to the new built country and with a huge army
of 150.000 men enters in burning everything they find.
¿where were they catched? I can only hear the holland cry's of pain and
death in the night from my south border. The low lands are red in blood and
the flag of France is raised in 3 of their provinces. The COT of Flandes
changes his owner. (Historic: the French storm was with King Louis XIV: 200.000 vs. 8000 Spaniards, a veritable flood)
In the spanish side, Tunisia is annexed and I recognize the independence of
the Low lands.
I think that a strong navy will be drastically important to preserve my
colonies in all over the world, so I begin a massive production of galleon
fleets in strategical points of the map. I'm leading the naval tech, but
I've heard that England is going to have some good sailors.
Now I've got the best of them, Alvaro de Bazan, but I must use him before
his die (historically in 1587) or the history of the Invincible Armada will repeat. If he can lead my warships in the north sea the victory is clear.
Enough for a whole week. I am really exhausted, but I enjoy very much (and without patches). Very detailed and completed . Very good AI. A lot of diplomacy, but not tactical battles. Yes, didactic and comprehensive. Maybe the next EU2 will be the game of the year 2001.
