History background. Where?

[Onirim]

Hello. Is there a document / post / web link / book / etc., where I could read about the real-world basis for some of EU4 mechanics?

That would be like "Europa Universalis IV explained" or similar. I would like to know what a bar showing your progress at changing a province's culture could mean or meant in the real world or simple examples for annexation, vassalisation, integration process, personal unions, trade-steering, trade power, trade company, etc. in history. This way I could get a better picture of what it is supposed to be going on behind the scenes while I try to change more provinces to my colors.

(I know, I should have tried harder at school, ok but, you know... it's never too late)

 

[Kwami]

Wikipedia? That's pretty much what the devs use for EUIV, anyway!

 

[Raveled]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_India_Company

There's your starting read for what a trade company is. As for what a personal union is and what diplo-annexing looks like, c.f. the history of Great Britain.

 

[OldmansHQ]

Hello. Is there a document / post / web link / book / etc., where I could read about the real-world basis for some of EU4 mechanics?

That would be like "Europa Universalis IV explained" or similar. I would like to know what a bar showing your progress at changing a province's culture could mean or meant in the real world or simple examples for annexation, vassalisation, integration process, personal unions, trade-steering, trade power, trade company, etc. in history. This way I could get a better picture of what it is supposed to be going on behind the scenes while I try to change more provinces to my colors.

(I know, I should have tried harder at school, ok but, you know... it's never too late)

Some of these are rather obvious. Forcing new culture upon people takes time. They have to learn new language, traditions and values. They have to get used to them to the point where they feel natural. In case of Russification this also involved steady removal of historic artefacts and documents. And penalties for not comforming. The in-game representation of this is poor at best. Cultural assimilation could be a swift or never ending process. Religious convention is no different.

Whether diplomatic or through conquest, annexation is a heavily bureocratic process. It inolves establishing of infrastructures to allow the subjugated territory to become an integral part of other lands within one country. New people need to be put in positions of power, this also means new taxation and tariffs offices. The currency in circulations needs to be replaced with new currency. Virtually every aspect of everything has to be aligned with new laws and regulations. New systems of governance must be put in place, connecting the territory with new government. This is represented by coring.

Most of the systems in EU4 make sense and are obvious when you imagine those situations taking place in real life.

 

[Trin Tragula]

There isnt a guide as such. If you ask about things in particular i may be able to help (atleast as far as my own areas are concerned).

Wikipedia? That's pretty much what the devs use for EUIV, anyway!

Not really. It can be useful for some things though, sure.

 

[Kwami]

There isnt a guide as such. If you ask about things in particular i may be able to help (atleast as far as my own areas are concerned).



Not really. It can be useful for some things though, sure.

Hey, I'm just repeating what Gars said!

To the dev : What books have you been reading to "source" EU ?

 

[Trin Tragula]

That quote is from a while ago though. Thanks to continued patching the detail of the game world has increased a lot since then. The map overhauls (especially AoW) or expansion on specific regions such as el dorado would never have been possible using just Wikipedia.
We've also had great help from some knowledgable members of the community for some specific regions (some of them are mentioned in the aow dev diaries).

 

[LinusLinothorax]

Hello. Is there a document / post / web link / book / etc., where I could read about the real-world basis for some of EU4 mechanics?

To talk about the explanation for current tech-trees for non-European nations: I have yet to find a book talking about Pacajes employing Pikesquares or Kazan building carracks.

 

[zappsteam]

If you want a history book, try Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies. It is an excellent account of various kingdoms, now often forgotten, that we see in EU4 that have now disappeared. It is very readable and also on kindle/equivalent. If you want the history behind places like Aragon, Burgundy, Prussia, the PLC, or even Sardinia-Piemont, try this one. £9.49 at the british amazon at the moment,

 

[Grand Historian]

There are plenty of books available on the various topics. I'd recommend something on GB's history, as it can cover most of the listed items.

 

[Onirim]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_India_Company

There's your starting read for what a trade company is. As for what a personal union is and what diplo-annexing looks like, c.f. the history of Great Britain.

There are plenty of books available on the various topics. I'd recommend something on GB's history, as it can cover most of the listed items.

Then GB History is going to be a nice read for sure.

Some of these are rather obvious. Forcing new culture upon people takes time. They have to learn new language, traditions and values. They have to get used to them to the point where they feel natural. In case of Russification this also involved steady removal of historic artefacts and documents. And penalties for not comforming. The in-game representation of this is poor at best. Cultural assimilation could be a swift or never ending process. Religious convention is no different.

Whether diplomatic or through conquest, annexation is a heavily bureocratic process. It inolves establishing of infrastructures to allow the subjugated territory to become an integral part of other lands within one country. New people need to be put in positions of power, this also means new taxation and tariffs offices. The currency in circulations needs to be replaced with new currency. Virtually every aspect of everything has to be aligned with new laws and regulations. New systems of governance must be put in place, connecting the territory with new government. This is represented by coring.

Most of the systems in EU4 make sense and are obvious when you imagine those situations taking place in real life.

And this is a really good explanation, sir. Not obvious for me at all. Of course the more extended the better in this case. (And coring was part of the "etc." on my list.)

There isnt a guide as such. If you ask about things in particular i may be able to help (atleast as far as my own areas are concerned)...

Sad to hear there's no guide. And well, since you don't mind I would appreciate some help visualizing how trade can be steered towards a node by simply sending a fleet upstream. Is it some kind of intimidation? "You pitiful merchants you better go first to this node we 'suggest' to do your business or we..."

If you want a history book, try Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies. It is an excellent account of various kingdoms, now often forgotten, that we see in EU4 that have now disappeared. It is very readable and also on kindle/equivalent. If you want the history behind places like Aragon, Burgundy, Prussia, the PLC, or even Sardinia-Piemont, try this one. £9.49 at the british amazon at the moment,

Great finding! Now it's on my to-read bookslist and not for long.

Thank you all. Good answers of yours.

 

[Duke of Awesome]

There isnt a guide as such. If you ask about things in particular i may be able to help (atleast as far as my own areas are concerned).



Not really. It can be useful for some things though, sure.

Do you hire historians, or is it just knowledge pulled from the history buffs among you?

 

[petertel123]

Do you hire historians, or is it just knowledge pulled from the history buffs among you?

Hiring historians, while beneficial, might be a bit pricey for a small company like paradox. There are plenty of good books about the early modern age though.

 

[Chaingun]

Trin is a perfectly good historian, I assure you, university educated and all.

 

[Powder hound]

As a general read try and find Sir Charles Oman; " History of Warfare in the 16th Century", covers just about every European nation and war for a good slice of early EU IV. In fact should be compulsory reading for everyone on the forum, would reduce some of the more contentious posts of the Wikipedia "experts".

 

[MrParadux]

To talk about the explanation for current tech-trees for non-European nations: I have yet to find a book talking about Pacajes employing Pikesquares or Kazan building carracks.

That is pretty much alternate history stuff. In history it was never necessary for Kazani to need ships like carracks, but that shouldn't stop them in an alternative history scenario where they control a big coastline.

 

[Trin Tragula]

Do you hire historians, or is it just knowledge pulled from the history buffs among you?

No we don't (though I did send a question to one once). Plenty of knowledge in house (and as mentioned among members of the community) though. Real historians also write books. Those are useful

 

[Florryworry__]

No we don't (though I did send a question to one once). Plenty of knowledge in house (and as mentioned among members of the community) though. Real historians also write books. Those are useful

Did you study history? and also are you the guy I should send Jstor stables to when I want to make the case for a really cool new HRE feature? ^^ Love your work!

 

[OldmansHQ]

And this is a really good explanation, sir. Not obvious for me at all. Of course the more extended the better in this case. (And coring was part of the "etc." on my list.)

Check this thread out. Not all, but a lot of them should give you some insight.

 

[A_Dane]

No we don't (though I did send a question to one once). Plenty of knowledge in house (and as mentioned among members of the community) though. Real historians also write books. Those are useful

I must strongly object to this anti-historian hiring policy.

Which of course has absolutely nothing to do with me studying said subject or anything of the like, just a general cry for equality!

Or something