Three plus years ago when I was still a mod around here, I started a couple of polls to honor the AARs of some of the more fallow areas of AARland. You can see the Anthologies for Europa Universalis II and the original Hearts of Iron by following those links. And you can still vote on them now, should you wish to do that. Looking at it recently, I realized it is likely time to do the same for the original Victoria (not to mention CK1 and HoI2, but we will get to that.) With the release of subsequent games, those forums are fairly well done (though not completely) and ready for a look at those AARs that perhaps "made a mark." Victoria was the third major period game released during these earlier years (starting in 2004) and it seems about time.
To be sure, this is not so much a poll to judge what is the best or even most popular, though the manner in which I selected them is very much guided by those usual techniques. As I did with the previous two polls, I looked at the top ten in both views and replies and then opened the list to the top 20 and added any that landed on both lists. It is surely imperfect, but seems the most objective way to see what AARs might be considered an exemplar of that particular forum. There are obviously others and as I suggested with the other polls, I would think many would love to hear what additional AARs might be suggested.
For now, let us look at what AARs found their way onto this list. There are 17 and each one special.
As with the other polls, this will be an open ended thing lasting as long as the forum exists and you may vote for as many as you like rather than just one. [A mod will come by and helpfully attach the poll when they get the chance.] Over time, this will be moved to the Victoria AAR subforum and stickied for any newcomer to read and research should they wish. That's why this is called an anthology rather than best or anything other. It is not an award. I hope it to be a good place for future members to see and head off to read said AARs if they are curious about the past or previous works. And once again, please feel free after you voted to offer your own top 15 or more, or at least some AARs that deserve to be considered in such an argument.
Take a look at the offered works and give support to those that inspired you...made you laugh, think or learn better to play the game...or those that tickle you now many years after the fact...give your vote to those AARs that you feel best represent the AARs of the original Victoria.
I hope you have fun reading these old works and perhaps remembering them if you've been around long enough. If you are a newer member joined since many of these were ended, I hope you enjoy the look back. If anything, I hope those that take the time to look at these AARs enjoy a look back at the history of this forum as each were instrumental in creating the place that we inhabit today.
(As mentioned, depending on how active this gets, I am certainly willing to do the same for CK1 and HoI2, as they too are likely overshadowed by their newer iterations. We will see. I should also mention that as with all such things, a writAAR that was banned does not get to participate so you may notice one not in the mix. Sad, but as stated in the musical Big River, "You pays you money, you takes you choice.")
Happy reading and perhaps these AARs inspire you to...Write On!
To be sure, this is not so much a poll to judge what is the best or even most popular, though the manner in which I selected them is very much guided by those usual techniques. As I did with the previous two polls, I looked at the top ten in both views and replies and then opened the list to the top 20 and added any that landed on both lists. It is surely imperfect, but seems the most objective way to see what AARs might be considered an exemplar of that particular forum. There are obviously others and as I suggested with the other polls, I would think many would love to hear what additional AARs might be suggested.
For now, let us look at what AARs found their way onto this list. There are 17 and each one special.
Europe Ablaze MP vanilla 1.03b AAR
(Blitzkrieg)
Into the West
(coz1)
Ireland, Awake!
(demokratickid)
The Golden Nation- California (VIP) AAR
(DerKaiser)
A Special Providence
(Director)
"The Footsteps of Illustrious Men"- USA GC AAR
(Estonianzulu)
Empire Under Heaven ~ Zhonguo (VIP) AAR
(jeffg006)
The End Is Not Yet: MP 900-year game
(King of Men)
The Revenge of the Bear! A BeAARhug just for you!
(Mishgan)
Power By Production v 2.0 - A VIP:R 0.1 Prussia AAR
(OHgamer)
The World is Not Enough, a German WW1 AAR
(Quirinus308)
Fire Warms the Northern Lands -- A Prussian AAR
(Rensslaer)
Carefully Applied Force: A Prussian AAR
(robou)
The Harp and Crown: An Irish AAR
(RossN)
Libertad o Muerte! - AARgentina
(Treppe)
The Presidents: Clay to Smith (1836-1920)
(volksmarschall)
Times of Troubles; The story of Russia in the Great War
(Wannabe Tatar)
(Blitzkrieg)
Into the West
(coz1)
Ireland, Awake!
(demokratickid)
The Golden Nation- California (VIP) AAR
(DerKaiser)
A Special Providence
(Director)
"The Footsteps of Illustrious Men"- USA GC AAR
(Estonianzulu)
Empire Under Heaven ~ Zhonguo (VIP) AAR
(jeffg006)
The End Is Not Yet: MP 900-year game
(King of Men)
The Revenge of the Bear! A BeAARhug just for you!
(Mishgan)
Power By Production v 2.0 - A VIP:R 0.1 Prussia AAR
(OHgamer)
The World is Not Enough, a German WW1 AAR
(Quirinus308)
Fire Warms the Northern Lands -- A Prussian AAR
(Rensslaer)
Carefully Applied Force: A Prussian AAR
(robou)
The Harp and Crown: An Irish AAR
(RossN)
Libertad o Muerte! - AARgentina
(Treppe)
The Presidents: Clay to Smith (1836-1920)
(volksmarschall)
Times of Troubles; The story of Russia in the Great War
(Wannabe Tatar)
As with the other polls, this will be an open ended thing lasting as long as the forum exists and you may vote for as many as you like rather than just one. [A mod will come by and helpfully attach the poll when they get the chance.] Over time, this will be moved to the Victoria AAR subforum and stickied for any newcomer to read and research should they wish. That's why this is called an anthology rather than best or anything other. It is not an award. I hope it to be a good place for future members to see and head off to read said AARs if they are curious about the past or previous works. And once again, please feel free after you voted to offer your own top 15 or more, or at least some AARs that deserve to be considered in such an argument.
Take a look at the offered works and give support to those that inspired you...made you laugh, think or learn better to play the game...or those that tickle you now many years after the fact...give your vote to those AARs that you feel best represent the AARs of the original Victoria.
I hope you have fun reading these old works and perhaps remembering them if you've been around long enough. If you are a newer member joined since many of these were ended, I hope you enjoy the look back. If anything, I hope those that take the time to look at these AARs enjoy a look back at the history of this forum as each were instrumental in creating the place that we inhabit today.
(As mentioned, depending on how active this gets, I am certainly willing to do the same for CK1 and HoI2, as they too are likely overshadowed by their newer iterations. We will see. I should also mention that as with all such things, a writAAR that was banned does not get to participate so you may notice one not in the mix. Sad, but as stated in the musical Big River, "You pays you money, you takes you choice.")
Happy reading and perhaps these AARs inspire you to...Write On!
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