One player, many nations - is that possible?

[Cohen]

It would be quite new for Hearts of Iron.

I played extensively the 2nd title and some the 3rd (found it horrible alas, due to the logistic and partisan model).
But also my gaming experience was mainly in Multiplayer (admittedly AI works horribly in grand strategy games. The more complicate is the game, the worse the AI manages).

The main problem is that one struggles to find a group of players to play in Multiplayer who could agree to some possible rules (a sort of historical war for example, and house rules of sort) - but then to have 1 player per Major Power turns out pratically a pain in the arse on the long run as some disappear, start to miss sessions and whatnot.

Sometimes it's just easier to enjoy a game in 2-3 people having though control over many nations (Axis vs Allies, or Axis vs W.Allies vs Soviets in a 3 player game).
That though could require that players control more than one nation.

Is that a feature that can come into play? I do not really care for the Single Player aspect admittedly - but for Multiplayer I believe it can be very beneficial to smaller groups of players and make the game more appetizing for who has strict IRL schedules (easier to plan around other 1-2 players and their irl commitments, more so than a full allotment of 5-6 extra players)

 

[Will Steel]

Use tag switch cheats. Or even better, do your moves as a nation, save the game and reload as someone else. Easy enough is it not?

 

[Cohen]

I mean that for multiplayer, it could be quite bothersome to have to constantly save and switch to other nations - especially in war time.

 

[LordOfWar16]

I have to disagree on that one. Sure, the AI has its problems in HoI III but that game is pretty old now, remember that. If you look at the EUIV AI you will clearly see that Wiz is infact an secret wizzard. His AI is actually very good and i dont see why it shouldnt be possible with hoi IV aswell. In HoI III the ai had massive problems with the transport ship system, so thats one of many reasons why they removed independant player controlled transport ships. It was also pretty easy to encircle the enemy troops by creating pockets and opening a gap in the front line for them to rush in and i doubt that that will be that easy in HoI IV.

Sure, its still an AI so players will always find ways of exploiting their weaknesses, but if you really want to play with other players why not simply make an public game? It is not like that there is an lack of "recruitment" posts for the game launch already. Some of them even have specific house rules and/or do more of an roleplay campaign

In HoI IV it will actually alot easier to set up games with alot of people due to the hotjoin feature. If they crash for example they could simply rejoin. The EUIV devs for example still play even if some devs cant make it. The AI will simply take over for that session.

 

[Lifthrasil]

That would certainly be fun, and if its easy to add, it would be a great addition for some people i think.

BUT: I doubt that one player has enough capacity to play 2 major nations. Minors might work, but if you want to play Italy AND Germany at the same time, there is probably WAY too much to do.

 

[Anichent]

Use tag switch cheats. Or even better, do your moves as a nation, save the game and reload as someone else. Easy enough is it not?

Not. Because then the nation you leave then changes its mind the minute you unpause and it screws up your plans. Sometimes in one hour of one day they reassign the whole army away from battle. I tried the cheat once, never again.

 

[bigb4486]

I think the UI would prevent this from ever happening. Too much going on pertaining to the nation you control.

 

[Sir Garnet]

In HOI3 a player can play several countries in a game by loading up each separately. I have to expect that HOI4 handles this even better.

 

[77Hawk77]

from the screenshots it's apparent, that if you are allied with an AI nation you can assume control like you could in hoi2.