Hearts of Iron IV - 34th Development Diary - 20th of November 2015

  • We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Rufo

Scripter
Paradox Staff
2 Badges
Feb 7, 2013
188
465
  • Paradox Order
  • Stellaris Sign-up
Welcome back to the development diaries of Hearts of Iron IV. This week's diary is about the new system for civil wars and comes from the scripting side of the team, since this feature is closely tied to the political system and its events. I'm Rufus, scripter and content designer on Hearts of Iron IV, and have worked on many of the political events affecting the process you'll see a bit of today.

Rather than limiting the possibility of civil wars to a few predetermined countries such as Spain and China, the new system allows for any country to become divided over political differences if the conditions are right — or wrong, depending on which side of things you're standing when the war breaks out.

Let's start out with a semi-historical example. Greece was plunged into civil war shortly after the end of World War II. But what if the political climate of Greece was different? What if the communist power base was larger, and the war broke out before Metaxas' death?

Qfv2Z3W.jpg


In the above screenshot, Greece has selected communist party leader Nikos Zachariadis in its ministers view. This does not represent Metaxas actually cooperating with Zachariadis, but rather allowing him to be active in the country, which is our tool for letting the player shift the nation's politics. While the change is slow, a combination of external factors such as other nations supporting the Communist Party of Greece and events causing shifts in popular opinion has allowed its popular support to grow significantly.

If it reaches high enough levels, the player may choose to side with the communists and start a civil war on their side. Even if not actively pursued, if support continues to grow due to external pressure despite the player's best efforts, a civil war will be inevitable and the player will have to choose their side.

KJpSiUG.jpg


In this case, the player chooses to side with the Metaxas regime. So what happens when the war breaks out? One nation becomes two. This is not a pre-scripted civil war, so how exactly the nation is divided may differ, but in this case, the Provisional Democratic Government, as the communist administration is declared, operates from Crete and Thrace. It immediately enters a state of war with the Metaxas regime, both seeking to reunite Greece under their rule.

rEgmgo1.jpg


In the case of historical civil wars that happen more or less on schedule, such as the one in Spain, the division is not arbitraty, but based on the historical circumstances. However, war will play out in a similar manner, and just as foreign support and volunteers played an important role in the Spanish Civil War, countries can try to intervene and support the side that they want to seize power in the country.

2JYsTQU.jpg


Lastly, civil wars can be triggered not only by internal political turmoil, but also by foreign-supported attempted coups. In the example below, Germany is planning a coup in Belgium. They will have to supply both Political Power and equipment for the attempt, but if they succeed, they can throw the nation off balance and possibly even get a friendly government in place without any direct military involvement.

Vfxoi25.jpg


Next week, we'll talk more about Germany and its role in the game.
 
  • 180
  • 74
  • 3
Reactions:
Will the ai use the Stage a coup action?

I like the idea that you need to invest equipment into the coup, is the number depending on the nation so a coup against US would need many more equipment then Belgium?
 
  • 18
  • 3
Reactions:
So is the way how a Nation (provinces) is divided dependend on how strong the Opposition is?

How about the Equipment? ships, divisions, planes?
 
  • 6
  • 1
Reactions:
K.
What about China, which is in constant multi-faction civil war? And those parties waging civil war then uniting against Japanese?
 
  • 11
Reactions:
Next week, we'll talk more about Germany and its role in the game.

Wait, Germany had a role in the time period of the game? Kidding. Thank you for the DD.

Forum Tension -20

Until the forum finds that one sentence that pulls its pin. i.e. Democracies can't declare war on one another...
 
  • 11
Reactions:
Question.
You've stated that civil war can be the result of foreign interference.
The SCW, in particular, was the result of just such meddling. In this case, a lot of meddling by Britain.
You've also stated that the historical civil wars will occur more-or-less in their historical timeframe.
So... is Britain scripted to trigger the SCW on behalf of the Nationalists as IRL?
 
  • 17
  • 1
  • 1
Reactions:
Looks very interesting! I like when things are dynamic, but some questions remain concerning this system.
 
Last edited:
  • 4
Reactions:
Great DD, some questions though:

1) How is it determined which divisions fight on which side?

2) Is the division of provinces between the groups random or on which factors are they determined (like cities are more probable to fall under communist regimes ect)?

3) What happens if the player loses the civil war? Will he be eliminated and lose the game or is there a GiE?
 
  • 3
Reactions:
Nice system, this was needed to give justice also to Spain and China, and also this is a good prelude for a future DLC about Cold War.

So the division of a country is total arbitrary? is not about the presence of that party in that province?
 
  • 1
Reactions:
Look awesome! I'm excited that there's a solid mechanic for changing government types and I'm happy that foreign governments can actually influence things. Question though, how hard or easy would it be for a long established democracy to switch to another government type? Could The United States or Canada realistically expect to change to Communism for example?

Also Germany hype for next week! :D
 
  • 4
Reactions:
very nice. i like the idea that you have the option of subverting a country before declaring war.

what would happen in the example of germany starting a civil war in Belgium and after the civil war started germany invaded?
 
  • 1
Reactions:
Can any nation get into a civil war, including the Major Powers?
 
I like it as it seem well thought out and allows for both historical events & dynamic ones to develop. This will be really helpful for my mod as I cover some of Germany's & Italy's support of Nazis & Fascist in other countries. Good things coming people!

Question:
Will a nation like the UK be able to 'see' that Germany is trying to start a civil war in Belgium and 'supply Political Power' to stabilize the Belgian government and prevent the civil war from starting?
 
  • 10
Reactions:
So, if I understand well, a coup can lead to three different results ?
A) The coup succeeds, no civil war, a friendly government is installed.
B) The coup succeeds partially, and a civil war starts.
C) The coup fails, no civil war happens and the governement doesn't change.

Am I right ?
 
  • 6
Reactions:
This is awesome. WantWantWantWantWant

Can you imagine playing an evil USSR sponsoring revolutions world-wide? And then intervening to help out your revolutionary socialist brethren?

EDIT: What happens if the government in Communist Greece changes? Can it be peacefully reunited with Metaxa's Greece by installing a Metaxa government in Communist Greece?

EDIT2: And how is the army split up between the two? I can't game the system by just placing all the military units somewhere and then launching a coup, can I?
 
  • 6
  • 3
Reactions: