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We must hold the T.I.T.S. Front for as long as possible. The fate of the information hating world depends upon it!
Hopefully the Slovak 1st Division is able to make it to the Bucharest Operational and Organizational Base Stronghold safe and sound!
Excellent - as the war draws to its inevitable grisly close, reporting time can continue to slow down to ensure this work is still going strong for many years yet. Perhaps hourly intervals could help? That way it can perhaps be timed to end on the centenary of the end of the war in 2045. Hearts of Titanium 23 may be out by then, but no matter: Tiso and Tuka are timeless (or time lords).
The AI is giving me some excellent raw material to work with.
It is a huge amount of armour and, in an unusual Paradox twist, it is bloody amazing armour. I had a quick check and the Dominion armoured divisions are equipped with A.34 Comet tanks, for those who don't keep up on their tank porn the Comet only entered service in December 1944 and only ever equipped 1 full division before the war ended. So it is a bit surprising to see the New Zealand, Canadian and South African armoured divisions kitted out with them. Particularly as, in line with Paradox practice, none of those nations have even the most basic tank tech researched.
That is true, Romania is serving an excellent job as buffer state.
Some traditions have to be maintained.This is how we like it!
There were many oops in the alleged defence of Italy, for once Slovakia didn't make them. Well not in comparison to the other powers involved.
If T&T don't defend a world of pre-industrial ignorance then who will?
That's the joke for the next update ruined! (not really
) I realise that, given my track record of such announcements, this is unlikely to occur, but I am aiming to finish the tale of T&T by the end of 2018. I'm not going to say this year, because that would be ridiculous. But within the next 14 months seems achievable given how everything is collapsing around them.
In any event, given Paradox's new business model even if it did last till 2045 we would still be on Hearts of Iron IV, but enjoying the release of the 432485th DLC package. That would be the one adding a semi-realistic death of Ataturk event and three new ways to make it easier to do a world conquest when playing as Germany.
Yeah but hopefully full blown sequels to EUIV and CKII. Maybe even Vicky. HOI's problem is that it's so limited by just doing 1936-45ish. Maybe they should expand it to the whole twentieth century. That's what modders focus on anyway.
They use the Comet tanks? The British competitor to the Panther? With sloped armour, the powerful 77-mm-gun and the great Meteor-engines used by Burma/Birma/Myanmar until the 1990s? Wow!
I admire your optimism about Paradox and it's approach to future game engine development. I am unsure which would surprise me more, Vicki III or Paradox admitting they've milked CK II dry in terms of DLC. Genuinely I might finish Butterfly Effect before either of those two events occur.Yeah but hopefully full blown sequels to EUIV and CKII. Maybe even Vicky. HOI's problem is that it's so limited by just doing 1936-45ish. Maybe they should expand it to the whole twentieth century. That's what modders focus on anyway.
HOI has been rightly famed as having the worst strategic AI and being the most railroaded, of all the games it falls apart and gets badly confused the most if you try and do something different from what it expects, and that's within the narrow confines of less than a decade. To expand the scope you'd have to tear it down and start again from scratch and I don't see the current incarnation of Paradox ever putting that sort of effort into a game. Though saying that, I can see them adding additional years to HOI IV, one year at a time, one DLC at a time...
I know, it's incredible. It's no surprise the Allies are tearing through Italy, they out tech everything in the theatre and most things in the game. As I understand it, normally in the 1944 scenario the German AI/player can push D-Day back into the sea (as the Allies land in Normandy with no supplies and no ports / in-game mulberry harbours), so they can use superior numbers to hold back the advanced British and Dominion armour. As I modded the scenario to give the allies supplies and a port, that hasn't happened and so the Comets are rolling up the Alps.
Are you kidding? They've only just now started putting in mild effects from China after putting in India. They have the entirety of Asia to play around with before they have to release another game. I would be interested (morbidly so, but still) to see where they eventually say no more and set a final limitation on the map. Are they going to put China in too? Asia in general? Why not, they've already put some of it in and built half of the effects for China already (apparently).
CKII may one day well be a full medieval world simulator. No idea whether to be intrigued or horrified by that.
Oh, and I quite agree about HOI. From what I understand, modders do a better job of AI mechanics and building work than Paradox do, and that's for fifteen year old games. Which is a shame really because in terms of being a publisher, they're pretty good at helping other studios make and sell their stuff. It's just they're own stuff takes years after release to get really good or is already quite old (Coz1's CKII AARs are all on the original version of CKII and its still a pretty great game. I don't think anyone will truly say that of HOI4 in five years).
From a business perspective, why would Paradox stop producing CKII DLCs so long as they continue to make money? If you don't like the DLCs don't buy them.
From a customer perspective, it's incredible that they are still supporting and patching the base game 5 years on. The base game is quite playable without any DLCs.
Now a full world simulator in CKII could be fun... You could play the whole "The vikings survive in North America" game!
From a customer perspective, it's incredible that they are still supporting and patching the base game 5 years on. The base game is quite playable without any DLCs.
Now a full world simulator in CKII could be fun... You could play the whole "The vikings survive in North America" game!
I quite agree. Paradox struck good with this series, especially because they pulled it off so well. I would be down for a full medieval world map. Heck, I'm glad that stuff gets suggested and actually put in, unlike with many other strategy game franchises. What I want from CKII now is...idk. Naval combat I'm not sure I'd like, but I'd like the option to have it on, it's nit like it didn't happen. More map would be great. More ways to build a custom empire, because you don't have that much choice right now. And...that's about it.
Whereas for other titles, I know full well it would be better to bring out a new version, like with Vicky. Probably HOI too, they need to go in and compeltly start from scratch with their AI on that account. CKII AI in battles isn't great but that makes sense, because that's when all civs make mistakes. But off the battle field, everyone plays a good game and some countries play amazing games if they get the right characters given to them.
18th October 1944
18th October 1944
Tiso and Tuka are holding a cabinet meeting on higher education policy in Slovakia, starting with the idea that it might be a good idea to have one. This vital work is interrupted when a messenger bursts in.
"Supreme Vodca, I bring mysteriously good news and good news that is mysterious." The messenger nervously announced.
Secretly pleased at an excuse to abandon the meeting, Tiso cautiously engages with the messenger.
"And the bad news?" He asked.
"There is none." The messenger looked as surprised as Tiso felt.
Seeing Tiso almost frozen with shock, Tuka moved the conversation along. "Start with the mysteriously good news."
The messenger passed over a file from the Ministry of Security
A confident spy from Ethiopia
thought we suffered from myopia
His Abyssinian disguise
was exposed as a cheap lie
However this entire episode demonstrates that even the most sophisticated ontological lenses available struggle to pierce some transcendental truths, this oversight can only be overcome through a sustained increase in funding.
"I don't understand the mystery." General Kubela confessed.
"Neither do I, clearly Ethiopia has realised the importance of the Race to Bratislava and wishes to try to claim some of the spoils." Malar nodded.
Tiso considered objecting to this, but then realised it probably made as much sense as any other possible explanation.
"What is the good news that is mysterious?" He asked the messenger.
"The Croatian Foreign Ministry tell us that they have defeated the French invasion." The messenger handed over the telegram.
Technically this was the Croatian Army swinging into action to defend it's homeland, though obviously it wasn't. It was the 14th Luftwaffe Field Division that had been transferred to Croatian command for.... reasons?
"This is certainly good news, but where it the mystery." Tiso looked up from the telegram.
"Why the Allies landed there?" Malar suggested.
"Why the invading division just sat there?" Kubela joined
"How a ragged bunch of ex-Luftwaffe ground crew wearing Croatian hats managed to defeat an elite and battle hardened division of the French Foreign Legion?" Pruzinsky queried, while polishing his monocle.
Tiso was taken aback, he'd almost forgotten Pruzinsky existed.
"That is indeed a mystery, however you have missed the important point." The cabinet looked at him quizzically. "This has still been a day with two bits of good news and no disasters!"
On that note, the cabinet collapsed into a wild and hip flask laden party.
--
Notes:
Of all the Luftwaffe Field Divisions, the 14th was amongst the least impressive and spent most of the war faffing around in Denmark and Norway, as a result it never saw combat. As stated the Luftwaffe field divisions were made up of ground crew and various other non-pilot air force types, they were scrapped up by the desperate scrabble for manpower, inadequately equipped and then sent off to the front. As you would except this went fairly badly.
Surprisingly Ethiopia is sending spies to Slovakia, marginally more surprisingly Slovakia is catching them.
Tiso and Tuka are holding a cabinet meeting on higher education policy in Slovakia, starting with the idea that it might be a good idea to have one. This vital work is interrupted when a messenger bursts in.
"Supreme Vodca, I bring mysteriously good news and good news that is mysterious." The messenger nervously announced.
Secretly pleased at an excuse to abandon the meeting, Tiso cautiously engages with the messenger.
"And the bad news?" He asked.
"There is none." The messenger looked as surprised as Tiso felt.
Seeing Tiso almost frozen with shock, Tuka moved the conversation along. "Start with the mysteriously good news."
The messenger passed over a file from the Ministry of Security
A confident spy from Ethiopia
thought we suffered from myopia
His Abyssinian disguise
was exposed as a cheap lie
However this entire episode demonstrates that even the most sophisticated ontological lenses available struggle to pierce some transcendental truths, this oversight can only be overcome through a sustained increase in funding.
The revelation that the newly liberated Ethiopia has decided that Slovakia represents the top priority for it's nascent espionage operation had shaken Janko Jesenky to his socially realistic critical core. Perhaps. Maybe.
"I don't understand the mystery." General Kubela confessed.
"Neither do I, clearly Ethiopia has realised the importance of the Race to Bratislava and wishes to try to claim some of the spoils." Malar nodded.
Tiso considered objecting to this, but then realised it probably made as much sense as any other possible explanation.
"What is the good news that is mysterious?" He asked the messenger.
"The Croatian Foreign Ministry tell us that they have defeated the French invasion." The messenger handed over the telegram.
Technically this was the Croatian Army swinging into action to defend it's homeland, though obviously it wasn't. It was the 14th Luftwaffe Field Division that had been transferred to Croatian command for.... reasons?
"This is certainly good news, but where it the mystery." Tiso looked up from the telegram.
"Why the Allies landed there?" Malar suggested.
"Why the invading division just sat there?" Kubela joined
"How a ragged bunch of ex-Luftwaffe ground crew wearing Croatian hats managed to defeat an elite and battle hardened division of the French Foreign Legion?" Pruzinsky queried, while polishing his monocle.
Tiso was taken aback, he'd almost forgotten Pruzinsky existed.
"That is indeed a mystery, however you have missed the important point." The cabinet looked at him quizzically. "This has still been a day with two bits of good news and no disasters!"
On that note, the cabinet collapsed into a wild and hip flask laden party.
--
Notes:
Of all the Luftwaffe Field Divisions, the 14th was amongst the least impressive and spent most of the war faffing around in Denmark and Norway, as a result it never saw combat. As stated the Luftwaffe field divisions were made up of ground crew and various other non-pilot air force types, they were scrapped up by the desperate scrabble for manpower, inadequately equipped and then sent off to the front. As you would except this went fairly badly.
Surprisingly Ethiopia is sending spies to Slovakia, marginally more surprisingly Slovakia is catching them.
Surprisingly Ethiopia is sending spies to Slovakia, marginally more surprisingly Slovakia is catching them.
Isn't more like that Slovakia is only catching spies of countries like Ethiopia?
Isn't more like that Slovakia is only catching spies of countries like Ethiopia
?
Very much to like about that update - both the news and its excellent presentation. Much wry amusement to be had and even a short piece of social realist poetry! And a reminder that Pruzinsky exists - even if we have no idea what he is meant to do or actually does. Which is good for all concerned, as he will no doubt be promptly forgotten again. Which last is better than being sent to that pit with the sharp pencils ...
1. I do have a quick question. With Slovakian industry what it is and T and T's consumption levels how is there any intoxicating beverage left in Slovakia
2. On the French Foreign Legion while the common soldier was foreign the officers were probably French therefore I am not surprised that they lost to some lustwa.. Luswafe... German Air Force personnel
3. Their RL job of faffing about in Denmark/Norway is probably the best job in the German army at that point (no Russian front)
2. On the French Foreign Legion while the common soldier was foreign the officers were probably French therefore I am not surprised that they lost to some lustwa.. Luswafe... German Air Force personnel
3. Their RL job of faffing about in Denmark/Norway is probably the best job in the German army at that point (no Russian front)
Thus far Jesensky has caught Portugese, Belgian and Greek spies along with dozens of others. He is surprisingly good at counter-intelligence.Surprisingly Ethiopia is sending spies to Slovakia, marginally more surprisingly Slovakia is catching them.
Isn't more like that Slovakia is only catching spies of countries like Ethiopia
Pruzinsky will be called upon whenever a question of Slovak resources, industry or manpower arises. Given that Slovakia has no resources, a tiny industry (running at half capacity) and not much manpower there is very little for him to say. But he is nothing if not a stoic and optimistic Victorian gentlemen, so he keeps coming to cabinet and attempting to raise the tone.
1. I'm imaging the rest of the country going through enforced Prohibition as the entire national output is diverted to the cabinet.
2. You can take the Frenchman out of France.... (
)3. The faffing about is the important bit, if you are always moving between the two you can claim you "weren't there" for any nastiness that did happen in either country.
By diverted to the cabinet I presume you mean T and T's drinks cabinet rather than the government cabinet (no point wasting it on those idio... Dedicated sober government workers)
Sloped armour didn't come for British tanks until the Centurion.
Well, I took a look on some photos of the Comet, so I agree, that the armour isn't sloped everywhere but it is at the chassisfront.