Huge cannons, Zeppelins, tourism and much more...

[Valentin the II]

This thread is about things that were not that apparent during the time period but could add allot of flavour if represented.

Lets start with huge cannons. During WWI Germany used massive cannons to bombard Paris from miles away (several provinces in game terms) and terrorise French civilians. May be this could be represented by some very expansive artillery units with aerial bomber like capabilities. Also, just like battle ships, they should give some prestige.

Zeppelins: Now I know that historically Zeppelins were a huge flop but bare with me...
To this day a Zeppelin is the most efficient method of "mass" transportation, as a vehicle they had huge potential. And if not for the Hindenburg their industry could have really taken of by the end game. In game this could be represented as a very risky venture, that could end with a Hindenburg like disaster, or become some thing really big.

Talking about the end game, by that time tourism, and civilian shipping have become really big. They had a huge effect on local economies and brought much prestige to related nations. A good example is the British-American rivalry in the field of ocean liners the result of which was the famed Titanic. Speaking of the Titanic, such random disasters, in the form of events, could also bring much flavour to the game.


If you also have an idea for something obscure from the period that could fit in the game, post right ahead.

 

[Tayran]

This thread is about things that were not that apparent during the time period but could add allot of flavour if represented.

Lets start with huge cannons. During WWI Germany used massive cannons to bombard Paris from miles away (several provinces in game terms) and terrorise French civilians. May be this could be represented by some very expansive artillery units with aerial bomber like capabilities. Also, just like battle ships, they should give some prestige.

Zeppelins: Now I know that historically Zeppelins were a huge flop but bare with me...
To this day a Zeppelin is the most efficient method of "mass" transportation, as a vehicle they had huge potential. And if not for the Hindenburg their industry could have really taken of by the end game. In game this could be represented as a very risky venture, that could end with a Hindenburg like disaster, or become some thing really big.

Talking about the end game, by that time tourism, and civilian shipping have become really big. They had a huge effect on local economies and brought much prestige to related nations. A good example is the British-American rivalry in the field of ocean liners the result of which was the famed Titanic. Speaking of the Titanic, such random disasters, in the form of events, could also bring much flavour to the game.


If you also have an idea for something obscure from the period that could fit in the game, post right ahead.

Im all in for huge cannons and zeppelins! Thats kinda cool and it captures the early 20th century spirit!

 

[The Andy-Man]

Great ideas! 1918-1936 period is a very interesting and over looked period, and seeing as this is the only game to cover it, it should be covered well!

As for the British-American rivalry with liners, the Queen Mary needs to be added also! That ship had the finest Bar I have ever seen (only seen a photo though )

 

[HMS Enterprize]

Oddly enough I was thinking about the tourism industry the other day, obviously later game we get ocean liners, then Imperial Airways & such but was there a tourism industry pre-1900?

I was thinking not only transportation to other places but early versions of theme parks (not actual theme parks obviously), historical/battlefield tours, opening castles to the public/other public works, holiday resorts, package deals etc etc

 

[Valentin the II]

Oddly enough I was thinking about the tourism industry the other day, obviously later game we get ocean liners, then Imperial Airways & such but was there a tourism industry pre-1900?

I was thinking not only transportation to other places but early versions of theme parks (not actual theme parks obviously), historical/battlefield tours, opening castles to the public/other public works, holiday resorts, package deals etc etc

Thats to much micro imo, if implemented the whole business would have to be severely abstracted. May be just represent tourism through Zeppelins and Ocean liners, ignoring the early forms of tourism which were not that popular.
There was scarce tourism before the 20th century but it was mainly for very rich people and usually in the confines of the nation and its colonies (Britain comes to mind).

 

[Sarmatia1871]

Oddly enough I was thinking about the tourism industry the other day, obviously later game we get ocean liners, then Imperial Airways & such but was there a tourism industry pre-1900?

I was thinking not only transportation to other places but early versions of theme parks (not actual theme parks obviously), historical/battlefield tours, opening castles to the public/other public works, holiday resorts, package deals etc etc

Yep, but it tended to be for relatively well-off people. Early in the period, you still have the Grand Tour, where young aristocrats go see the Wonders of the Classical civilizations in Italy while sneering at the modern locals, lots of tourism would accompany international exhibitions at the big capitals, and you get the beginnings of mass (or at least middle-class) tourism in the later part of the period.

There were also organized tours of the Franco-Prussian War battlefields almost as soon as the fighting stopped...

 

[HMS Enterprize]

Thats to much micro imo, if implemented the whole business would have to be severely abstracted. May be just represent tourism through Zeppelins and Ocean liners, ignoring the early forms of tourism which were not that popular.
There was scarce tourism before the 20th century but it was mainly for very rich people and usually in the confines of the nation and its colonies (Britain comes to mind).

I was not suggesting representing these things in game per se, althugh an event for them would be cool. I was just thinking aloud really.

I was also thinking in terms of any places that could have been considered 'tourism hotspots' in real life, perhaps in game represented by an increase in life rating. Its out of the game period obviously but I was thinking how a backwater swamp like Florida became such a money making machine and a population magnet.


On another side note, it would be nice to see an a-historical continuation of Zeppelin use.

 

[unmerged(45344)]

While the oil industry was in its infancy in the 1900s, its possible ethanol fuels could have been just as equally favored. That would be an interesting direction to take, especially for countries without access to oil supplies. Maybe creating off-map oil supplies (like early synthetic fuels?) with the right kind of investments?

 

[delra]

Definite yes to Zeppelins.

 

[Dysken]

I hope they don't include any of these in the game.

 

[Cinéad IV]

Zeppelins and massive artillery could be fairly easily added I think: simply give massive artillery the same modifiers as a level 5 fortification, and it'll lower the life ratings in all surrounding enemy provinces. As for Zeppelins, they could be a briefly active air unit before the development of fighter planes. Like monitors, but obsolete more quickly.

 

[Red_Communist]

I like the Zeppelins idea, and the tourism one, but please no Huge cannons.. :3

 

[MannheimCouncil]

Zeppelins would be really nice, especially since they seem to be marketing Vicky 2 as an alternate history game (judging from the cover). They would be more valuable as a means of transport, though. I'm not advocating air-lifting troops, but giving them an efficiency modifier for low-infrastructure areas would be nice.

 

[HMS Enterprize]

I think the Zeppelin industry would be good for events and not necesarily as a unit.

Perhaps have Zeppelins as something similar to 'race to north pole', ie- an invention that gains you prestige if you invent it first, which leads to further events, eg formation of proto-commerical airways. Or simply as a tech you discover as usual that nets some sort of reward(s).

Perhaps even a zep factory like the existing aeroplane factory in vicky1. If you have zep factories and another great power has aeroplanes perhaps an economic 'war' could arise as to which becomes the more popular/profitable mode of transportation, an ealy 1900's VHS vs Betamax if you will...

 

[byzantium43]

Huge cannon is pointless and micro. It's accounted for in abstraction.

Lets have jet engines as well, because its potentially feasible that they could have been developed by then. It's stupid to stray that far into fantasy. There is no point in making Zeppelins a huge deal since they never were.

I think tourism is also to micro, should be abstracted into the economies.

Paradox has bigger and better places to allocate their resources.

 

[Valentin the II]

While the oil industry was in its infancy in the 1900s, its possible ethanol fuels could have been just as equally favored. That would be an interesting direction to take, especially for countries without access to oil supplies. Maybe creating off-map oil supplies (like early synthetic fuels?) with the right kind of investments?

That's my kind of thinking! A very logical turn of events that could change history for ever. I approve.

Huge cannon is pointless and micro. It's accounted for in abstraction.

So are plane bombers also pointless and micro?

Lets have jet engines as well, because its potentially feasible that they could have been developed by then. It's stupid to stray that far into fantasy. There is no point in making Zeppelins a huge deal since they never were.

You cant compare the two. Jet engines were not even close to being invented in the era, while Zeppelins were and had huge potential. For a time they were immensely popular and were considered to be the "transports of the future". If not for one little event (the Hindenburg) you would be flying in Zeppelins regularly right about now.

I think tourism is also to micro, should be abstracted into the economies.

Of course it should be abstracted, but still represented.

Paradox has bigger and better places to allocate their resources.

Still wouldn't hurt to give the game more flavour.

 

[unmerged(3921)]

Dolphins with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads....

 

[Herr Doctor]

Talking about the end game, by that time tourism, and civilian shipping have become really big. They had a huge effect on local economies and brought much prestige to related nations. A good example is the British-American rivalry in the field of ocean liners the result of which was the famed Titanic. Speaking of the Titanic, such random disasters, in the form of events, could also bring much flavour to the game.

That would be great. I like these minor economy-related things.

 

[unmerged(14719)]

Great ideas! 1918-1936 period is a very interesting and over looked period, and seeing as this is the only game to cover it, it should be covered well!

As for the British-American rivalry with liners, the Queen Mary needs to be added also! That ship had the finest Bar I have ever seen (only seen a photo though )

That's namely because it was a terrible period for a lot of people. Many countries went into a financial crisis. England itself had over 3 million unemployed. It saw the rise of Hitler and civil war in china. Essentially nothing more then the big show of ww2.

 

[Valentin the II]

Hecklers suggestion gave me another idea.
Why not represent oil and precious metal prospectors in in-game events and decisions. They shaped the economy and populations of whole regions, so why not? This should add flavour and provide the player with high risk - high reward ventures (like financially supporting the prospectors).