GuileMike's AAR on the Paradox Interactive Convention 2011 in NYC

[GuileMike]

This trip was probably the best couple of days of my life! I had so many new experiences crammed into this trip that made it so special. Of course meeting the Paradox crew and checking out the new games was the the biggest highlight, but so many other things made this trip special. For one, I had never been to NYC in my life. Two, I have seen snow maybe 5 times my whole life. Three, this is a trip of a lifetime that I entered and never thought I would win, but I did and I was not going to miss this for anything!

Before I go any further, just let me thank Paradox and everyone I met on the trip. Letting me part of this was very special and is something I will never forget

Over the next few days I will post up parts of my trip and convention when I have a few hours to myself. I have not seen my wife or kid for half the week and it would frowned upon if I just focus all my attention to this right off the bat.

So stay tuned, I have lots of pictures, videos, and great insight from a fan's point of view.

 

[Romtos]

Good, been looking forward to that.

 

[GuileMike]

Wed. Night I flew into LaGuardia a little after 9pm. The site of the city on the flight in was breathtaking with all the lights. I don't fly much(first time in 7 years) so this was something I do not see everyday. Took a Taxi to the Hilton and checked in around 9:45. While walking around the lobby, I ran into Linda. She showed me the site of the event and then she went to bed because she was extremely sleepy. So I unpacked and decided to hit the city that never sleeps as they say. I was not sure how much of the city I would get to see so I took this chance to do it. I was exhausted from travel so I only stayed out for about an hour. Here are some of the photos I took.

The Hotel

The Lobby

View from my room, crappy glare and hard to see

Hustle and Bustle of the city

After my short trek around, I headed back and went to sleep for the big day.

 

[GuileMike]

The next morning I woke up around 7am to get ready and head down to the convention. I made it down stairs and met Linda and she introduced me to Johan and Chris King. Two individuals I have enjoyed playing their work obviously. Chris was very gracious and lat me get an up close sneak peak at Crusader Kings 2 before the show kicked off. I'll post up everything on CK 2 later. Then we went into another room for breakfast and the introduction for the convention. I met some other various people of the Paradox community, all super nice people. Then Fred, Johan, and others gave us the goods of the show. Some we knew were coming and others were just announced. Everyone seemed psyched for what laid ahead of the day.

Entrance into the hall

My table view

Fred before the show

Here is what was presented at the intro. I was kind of far back so sorry about the pics. They are displayed in no particular order.





Susana at the entrance of the showcase

 

[GuileMike]

Besides getting an early sneak peak at CK2(I promise to post up about later), another game I had a great desire to check out was Magna Mundi. We were suppose to have schedules to check out all the games but it came later so I went right up to the crew for MM. They gave me a hands on look at the game and how much they have remixed the EU3 engine they are using. Like all games that Paradox brings out, these guys are putting in a 110% to bring out a quality Grand Strategy Game. I hope it does well because it looks like a game that would appeal to fans of the EU franchise in every way. All I can say is buy this game! If you love Paradox, and want people to use their engine to bring out more titles, then support this! The developers Diaries are up and give way more info about the game so check them out too.

Lets look at some pics.

A look at Crimea, no royalty inc. into them so it sure will be different than playing one of the big dogs in Europe.

A look a the HRE

Random shots of the game.



Thank you guys for making this game! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

Now some other tidbits to the game. Don't expect much of anything from Native Americans. The way this game is focused they are not that important anyway. The Japanese clans when they are worked in is something I would love to play

 

[GuileMike]

I came back and watched Magna Mundi when I free time the rest of the day.

Next we were shuffled off to King Arthur II.

The trailer shown online and in the introduction was pretty intense and it seems like this sequel has a bigger budget. Obviously the graphics are better and the best thing the PR girls said was they fixed the camera to be more friendly. I know the camera turned off many people in the last game so this was good news. The story to this game has a dark twist to it. If you loved the original or never played it, give this game a shot because it looks promising. Though we had no game play on hand, what is in the trailer is almost spot on with what you will see in the game. I'm sure Neocore will do very well with this title.

Here are pics I took up close.

The Neocore ladies gave a fabulous presentation of the game.

These are the first Hungarians I have ever met in my life. I'm so sheltered.

 

[GuileMike]

Next, I went and saw CK2 again. I sat down with another journalist who knew nothing about CK or CK2 and took video with Chris's commentary in the background explaining all the changes to this game. First off the map is a hell of allot more friendlier than the last game. Also it is prettier. Not only the land view, but the water has a great face lift (pictures down below). The videos with Chris talking in them say a ton of information. Defiantly acquiring the title of emperor is something I look forward too. Also for navy kind of like the last game you will have to buy the services of a merchant fleet like for example Genoa for get across water. This game was number one on my list to check out and I'm sure King got sick of me casually stalking him at his presentations.

Awesome snapshot of the water

Nominating heirs

A view of the Mediterranean

Mr. CK2 Chris King

Loading Screen

The luscious political map

Coolest Scotsman I have met in person

Video of King's presentation to a press guy.
[video=youtube;EqU5NJ3Gt0M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqU5NJ3Gt0M[/video]
Part 2
[video=youtube;6HfeoWVbNQE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HfeoWVbNQE&feature=related[/video]
lol, we have plenty of time to get all the bugs
[video=youtube;CFMaOdJvBvE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFMaOdJvBvE&feature=related[/video]


Now remember this game comes out in Q1 2012. This is bare bones right now and it sure will be a hit. Paradox is spending more time on this game than they ever have with any other title. So keep up with the dev diaries because every entry is gold.

 

[Boris ze Spider]

Than you so much for all the updates, King Arthur II looks amazing.

 

[ashandresash]

Thanks for the info, GuileMike.

You'll tell us something about Pride of Nations and For the Motherland HoI3's expansion, right?

 

[Seli]

Thanks for the details, with all the effort you put in this time and monnikje last year I am afraid ever to win the chance to attend.
Good you had fun, and again thanks.

 

[Nikolai]

Thanks for making this AAR, much appriciated.

 

[GuileMike]

Thanks for the info, GuileMike.

You'll tell us something about Pride of Nations and For the Motherland HoI3's expansion, right?

I sat down with Pride of Nations and will have a good amount to talk about. As for HOI3, I just have a little info from my interview with Johan to talk about which I will post later on.

Thanks for the details, with all the effort you put in this time and monnikje last year I am afraid ever to win the chance to attend.
Good you had fun, and again thanks.

The only hard part is writing this thing up. Go for the win next year

 

[SAS]

thanks for the great posts. can't wait until the hoi3 expansion info.

 

[LeeDub]

Great AAR. Cheers!

 

[Davisx3m]

Nice!!

 

[Zzzzz...]

Awesome!

 

[GuileMike]

Next we came up to Sword of the Stars 2. Now I was not familiar with the last game so this was all new to me. I have to admit, anything in space is really not my cup of tea but that does not mean I would give this game a shot. The last game dealing with anything in space I really played was either Star Fox on SNES or Tie Fighter on old school PC. But in no way can I compare those games to this. Not only because of graphics, but play style, this is a strategy game. As a matter of fact it looks like a well made and strategy game and it is only in alpha stage. The cool factions and model designs of the ships and stars are a big draw to me personally. I took some video and pics when I sat down with the devs and it was a treat, check it out.

[video=youtube;4HBPDq8RudU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HBPDq8RudU[/video]

 

[GuileMike]

Random Pics of the event while I had a moment to retool.

 

[GuileMike]

I had one more game to check out before lunch and I was thrown together with a bunch of random press when I came up to Supreme Ruler Cold War. One member of the press from this point on I hung out with the rest of the day. His name was Sean Kavanagh of Beckett Media who was extremely nice and a ton fun to talk games with. But other random press guys I noticed when I sat down for this game had the look of pain or boredom on their face. Either they don't like strategy games or they did not want to be there. Well I can say this, sitting down with this game was no disappointment.

Sitting down with the Battlegoat guys and having them present their game kept me captivated every minute. They did not want me to video their game(understandable b/c it is in alpha) but I took many snap shots. For me personally, I am very excited about this title. Their last game I am familiar with the futuristic setting, but this one will take place in a historical setting as the title suggests. The graphics look better than the last installment of the series and hopefully the AI will be smarter too. Trying to woo neutral powers to democracy or communist brings a neat angle to simulate the past. The economy looks like it will be easy to overlook and micromanagement will not be a turnoff to some gamers. Being aggressive or keeping a respectable world view on your country/side seems to be a factor that could sink or swim for your cause. They will also have many different types of military models that fit the time period as well. I was sold on this game sitting down with the devs and can't wait for it to come out.

Choosing your side

A look at the space race

A look at the map from large scale

A smaller scale look. The models of the tanks, troops, and environment were an awesome site to see in action.

 

[mayorqw]

Very good! Eagerly awaiting more!
CK2 looks awesome. I almost felt like not buying it when I saw an earlier map model, but this is just exquisite. You can say all you want about the shallowness of eye-candy, but that water is ridiculously beautiful.

EDIT: Emu-d by two updates. Yay!

Wait... Is that a bunny with a rock on its head next to the SR:Cold War screen?