The question is in the title. I've always found it a little odd that Victoria II only has two start dates - 1836 and 1861. Between these two start dates, an overwhelming majority seem to prefer the former, since it gives you more time to build up your empire, and often your technology and overall situation is far better by 1861 if you start in 1836. The 1861 start date seems to really only be good if you want to play as independent Romania, the Confederate States, or if you're feeling very brave, the Heavenly Kingdom. 1861 also didn't get much love in the form of historical attention to detail - for example, France is a republican, presidential dictatorship instead of the Second French Empire under Napoleon III.
Despite the apparent lack of interest in 1861 on the part of the playerbase and even the developers, I always wondered why we didn't also get a late game start date that would allow us to experience the buildup to WWI or WWI itself. I always say that I bought Victoria II to play through WWI, but ironically stayed for the nineteenth century, which contains the real meat of the game. Still, I feel a late game start date would have been nice. The way I see it, there would be potential for four potential late-game start dates:
Obviously, most of this discussion would be more pertinent to the elusive Victoria III, but we can still talk about it in the context of Victoria II. I'm curious to learn how others feel about this issue.
Despite the apparent lack of interest in 1861 on the part of the playerbase and even the developers, I always wondered why we didn't also get a late game start date that would allow us to experience the buildup to WWI or WWI itself. I always say that I bought Victoria II to play through WWI, but ironically stayed for the nineteenth century, which contains the real meat of the game. Still, I feel a late game start date would have been nice. The way I see it, there would be potential for four potential late-game start dates:
- April 21, 1898: Would allow players to play through the Spanish-American War, with the Second Boer War and the Boxer Rebellion on the verge of breaking out.
- January 1, 1900: A nice round start date in the middle of the Boxer Rebellion, with the coming death of Queen Victoria signaling the end of an era. Perhaps you can alter history and prevent or change the outcome of the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War as well.
- January 1, 1906: Would give players the last thirty years of the game, which seems appropriate for a late-game scenario. This start date could be centered around the Balkans, whose numerous wars and crisis would create ample opportunity for a slightly-early WWI. Some flashpoint moments include the Austrian annexation of Bosnia in 1908 and the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars.
- July 28th, 1914: And here's the WWI start date I've seen a few players clamor for. Would you preserve history by forcing an Entente victory, or change the entire trajectory of the modern world with a triumphant Central Powers?
Obviously, most of this discussion would be more pertinent to the elusive Victoria III, but we can still talk about it in the context of Victoria II. I'm curious to learn how others feel about this issue.
