Hearts of Iron IV - 30th Development Diary - 23rd of October 2015

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Johan

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Hello everyone and welcome to another entry in the Hearts of Iron development diary series. Today is a bit of chaotic day in the Paradox office, as we leave this office around lunch, and move into the new one in monday morning. I promised a look at France for today,

France is one of the great powers in 1936, one of the winners of the Great War, and in control of a vast global empire. Their heartland in Europe is rich, almost half of Africa is under their control, and they have colonies in Indochina, Syria & Guyana, not to mention direct control of islands in all the oceans of the world.

France has access to all the aluminium and steel they could ever dream of using. They are also controlling some of the biggest supplies of Tungsten and Rubber from their asian colonies. They have no access to oil so they need to import that.

France has three national spirits from the start.
  • Victors of WW1, which is a penalty to the speed of land doctrine research by 75%.
  • Disjointed Government, which costs 1 political power each day and reduce the national unity until it is removed.
  • Protected by the Maginot Line, which slows down planning speed by 25% but increasing their maximum planning bonus by 25%.

France has 74 division in 1936, but several of those are colonial divisions that are only binary, and their armored units are basically brigades. As you can see here on this screenshot, they rely on the heavy fortifications at the border against Germany to defend them there.

ZojXE2d.jpg


France has 1 CV, 3 BB, 7 CA, 7 CL, 52 DD and 57 SS at the start, but it is not a top modern fleet. However, it is strong enough to decisively defeat either the germans or the italians alone, but would have have no chance against a combined axis fleet.

France starts with 456 fighters, 48 Naval Bombers and 204 modern Tactical Bomber. It is a rather good airforce, but it will need to be significantly strengthened before the war starts.

France stands outside of the Allies at the start of 1936, and have plenty of options in their focus tree.

The French Focus Tree has lots of different options.
  • The Metropolitan France & Algerie France starting points gives an industrial buildup, and allowes another research slot.
  • Defensive OR Agresssive Focus shapes France’s military focus, and the end focus removes the Victors of WW1 penalty.
  • Government Reform is a very flexible political tree that can gives France four different options, while eventually removing the Disjointed Government. Start their own faction with Czechoslovakia, join the Allies, join the Comintern or Join the Axis..
  • Navy Focus gives research and development bonuses for the navy.
  • Air Focus gives research and development bonuses for the air. (not seen in screenshot.)
32JeCDz.jpg


Next week we’ll talk about Peace Conferences.
 
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Awesome!
 
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So now we're going to start seeing DDs on individual countries. Great! I always love these.
 
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The French focus tree looks great!
Love the option to start a faction with Czechoslovakia :D

P.S great work on the french models @larre !
 
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I think I like the "Victors of WW1" national spirit Reducing their land doctrine research makes a lot of sense.
 
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I forgot that this was the French uniform of the time.
The only problem I see is that when they are on the 'On Guard' stance they should be sitting around smoking.:p

The 'Phoney War' and all.
 
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Really impressed that "sorting France out" is the disjointed political situation, really captures that flavour of France at that time I think.
Really impressed with the options available in the focus tree, really intriguing options for a player to choose.
I'd be really keen to understand what path the Ai defaults to?
Also a little confused with how the focus interacts with joining a faction... I mean say at the beginning of a MP Game The French Player and The German Player want to ally as a faction, does that mean that won't happen until you get to choose the "Join Germany" focus in the tree?
 
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I think you have captured the situation France was in very well! Powerful, but impotent.

The only minor thing I can see that might be missing is Frances reaction to The Spanish Civil War. The National Focus Tree might not be the right place, maybe better handled with events.

Now I've had a proper look at the National Focus tree my concern is similar. I fear that France will be stopped from intervening in Spain until they reach a National goal on the third line of the tree.

Will it be possible for France to support Republican (and indeed, Nationalist) Spain if they so wish? It shouldn't even carry a penalty as politics in France was such that any decision they made would annoy someone. Non Intervention annoyed the Communists and helped bring down the Popular Front, helping the Republicans may annoy the Radicals but in reality all options should be on the table.

The SCW is a tricky one for you guys, I hope it works out well.

Cheers,
Dury.
 
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I noticed a few things:

1. The artillery in the division now has a number next to it. Can I assume now each level of artillery now has to be produced as you research it? If so it's a very welcome introduction!
2. The basic stats show trickle back and exp loss - nice little additions. Affected by your Field Hospitals and Maintenance companies (if selected).
3. Is Initiative based on Recon companies?
4. How does Reliability work here please?

Overall the game seems to take on a richness and deeper dimensions every time you post a DD. I'm a very happy gamer and haven't even played HOI4 yet!:)
 
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Still not sure what to think of the national focus tree. I think either France shouldn't be able to join Germany, or it should come at a price, like a loss in national unity or whatever. I just don't know what I think about the game being this "sandboxy".
 
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I wonder what the focus tree looks like for the common, minor countries, like Romania, Austria, and so on. Will they get an individual tree or will it be a shared one (like 'german ideas' from eu4)?
 
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