Vicky or V:2? That is the Question.

[unmerged(62170)]

This is bit of a random question really but I've been looking into doing a British AAR, very history book with a lot of custom events and I'm not sure which game to use.

I don't as yet own a copy of V:2 but have played it and I fear in its vanilla form is far too chaotic for my plans.

Vicky on the other hand has had years of modding and the VIP project has really made it a pleasure to play for those interested in 'realistic' games and alternate history.

However the Vicky forums seem all but dead these days, much as it pains me. I'm not one who needs constant replies to function in AARland but it can be taxing to get little to no response to your work.

So I was wondering what you, my esteemed colleagues think? Is it better to struggle with the virgin V:2 or should I give Vicky one last hurrah?

 

[Eber]

I am of the firm belief that you need to do an AAR that you, the writer will truly enjoy. If you are excited to write an AAR, especially if it is a narrative or history-book, it will not only go more smoothly, but you will update more frequently. With that said, if you find Vicky more comfortable to your standards then Vicky 2, by all means do your AAR in Vicky. If your passion in your AAR is seen, you will have followers, no matter how old the game may be. There are some AARs in EU2, Rome and even Vicky that are still regularly followed by members of the community due to the excellence of the AAR.

I own both games, and I personally enjoy Vicky 2 a lot. Now, I will admit that if you did it in Vicky 2, you will probably gain more followers earlier on, but the difference may be alleviated once your AAR becomes more known in the Vicky forum, especially after the ACAs. However, as I said, the AAR and its passion from the author is more important then the version of a game.

 

[unmerged(62170)]

You put it very well Eber. Obviously all us here in AARland want people to read and reply, so we can discuss and enjoy the work even more, that's the whole point of these forums but you are correct about being comfortable and enjoying it.

 

[Enewald]

V2 with some ready mod.
Take a step forward and enjoy the new lady.
There are some well working mods already out.

 

[Qorten]

If you do not mind getting a small amount of views and few comments, by all means do it in Vicky if that game suits you better, I'd say. I'm certain that at least the veterans of AARland will still visit and follow the AAR and if it's fame spreads, the newer members might very well follow too. But you will never have the amount of comments reached in Victoria 2, no matter how well you write it, I think.

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

There is also an oft forgotten means of writing that seems to be lacking: free form. To be completely honest, if you are doing History Book or Narrative you don't actually have to play the game. Just tell the story you want to tell. I do that a lot in my AARs. People are there for story, so don't let the AI hamper your plans.

 

[CatKnight]

Exactly.

First, as Mr. Capiatlist said, with anything but a gameplay-style AAR it is entirely reasonable to lie, cheat and steal. You're telling a story.

Second, by chaotic I'm going to guess you're referring to the 'sandbox' of Vic2/EU3 vs. the more deterministic events of Vic/EU1-2. If so, and you don't mind butchering a save game file, you can always force the game to cooperate. Tired of Britain colonizing Washington state? Transfer it to the US. Problem solved. Do you need the War of the Triple Alliance to go off? Create an alliance between Brazil/Uruguay/Argentina and have them DoW Paraguay.

Further, an Enewald mentioned, there are mods out there that would be happy to 'help.'

By all means, play and write where you are comfortable. I do think you'll get more readers and comments in Vic2 at this point - but Vic1 is far from dead, and if you're excited about your AAR word will spread.

Whichever way you go, there's a piece of advice I first heard regarding role-playing games, but it works well for AARs: If the rules (game) gets in the way of a good story, then the rules better get out of the way.

 

[ComradeOm]

Didn't you already write a Vicky AAR? I recall it being pretty good. But then that might be me just being either charitable or forgetful

As for the question at hand, I'd chase the page views. Writing an AAR for an empty forum can well be tough. That said, I never took to V2 so can't really comment on its suitability

 

[iain_a_wilson]

Don't worry about the seemingly quiet atmosphere in the Vicky forum. There's a few of us still publishing AARs there with a strong following so it's not as dead as it seems. In fact post there and we'll probably seize on your story with gusto!

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk

 

[Alfred Packer]

I think you should make your AAR in whichever game you prefer to play it in. Readers will find it. If you pick your game based on potential viewership alone, I suspect your AAR and game will suffer.

 

[unmerged(62170)]

Cheers for the all the responses guys, really appreciate it.

Thinking about it, I think all weighed up Vicky would be better suited to be my pretty specific plans, plus a crappy computer and low funds makes buying and running V:2 an uncertain prospect.

 

[Legosim]

By all means, keep the Vicky 1 forums going. Comments are low at times, but as everyone else has said, if you really do create a quality piece of work, people will come to it no matter where on the forums it is located.

 

[El Pip]

Just make sure you post in one of your old AARs so I know it's started, as mentioned I don't check the Vicki 1 Forums that often as they're a tad quite. Not as dead as the AOD forum, but then what is?

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

Just make sure you post in one of your old AARs so I know it's started, as mentioned I don't check the Vicki 1 Forums that often as they're a tad quite. Not as dead as the AOD forum, but then what is?

Or he can post it here, no need for the black art of necromancy.