Things are getting busy at the office with the upcoming release of Europa Universalis IV, but as has been said before, we're still very much committed to the continued support and further expansion of Crusader Kings II. With Doomdark currently Down Under, Johan asked me to put together a short dev diary highlighting some of the current stuff we've been working on.

Patch 1.11:
1.11 will be deployed next week, and the new patch will include a few features that should make dealing with plots a bit easier. After hatching a plot, you can now tell the game to automatically invite all plotters who are willing to join your scheme. No more having to browse through the Potential Plotters list and individually sending requests to every single character who wants to join!

Also, you can now set the game to always demand that characters end their plots as soon as they come to your attention. Another handy addition is that you can now see at a glance which potential plotters can be won over to your side if they are bribed.

Among the other things added is a new Siege Leader trait (finally), a favorite IP table for the multiplayer menu and some additional support for modders.

Crusader Kings II to Europa Universalis IV Converter:
Johan already posted a dev diary about the Converter last week in the Europa Universalis IV forum, and there is an interview with Groogy here that goes into some more detail. I don't have much to add except that we're pretty pleased with the result and it actually works better than we had anticipated when development began.

Customizer:
This is a smaller DLC on the scale of the Ruler Designer, but it's something that many have asked for. It will give players an easy way to customize several items in their games when they are already well underway.

You can have your character pay a visit to the barber, where their hairstyle or facial hair can be altered... within reason (no bearded women, sorry). Below you can see the new look I gave King Charles II the Not-So-Bald:

View attachment CKII_111_DD_The_Bald.jpg

You can rename any title held by you or your vassals:

View attachment CKII_111_DD_Northwest_Francia.jpg

Finally, if you feel the need to shake things up a bit, you can alter the name and shield of your dynasty:

View attachment CKII_111_DD_de_Poher.jpg

Hopefully this will tide you over for a while, until we're ready to tell you more about what the future will bring to Crusader Kings II.


Here are the highlights from the Crusader Kings II to Europa Universalis IV Converter livestream with Johan & Doomdark!
[video=youtube;FWqQgp1Vh9U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWqQgp1Vh9U[/video]

You can find the full live-stream for the CK2 to EU4 converter here:
http://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive/b/438261345

ps. And you can pre-order Europa Universalis IV here:
http://www.europauniversalis4.com/buy

 

[RX2000]

As soon as they update, will do. Who even plays Paradox titles without mods...

<--------

I only use Paradox DLC. No mods.

 

[DominusNovus]

I'll never stop laughing at all the people complaining about luxury purchases.

 

[Rozmarzony]

This caught me off guard: you want all the features, you just don't want to pay?

However, I am not the best person to be asking about the DLC policy from a gamer perspective, I am a publisher's best friend: a kid who grew up a gamer and now has disposable income that he spends on games. Gaming, unfortunately, can be a very expensive hobby. Not Warhammer expensive, but generally a pretty expensive hobby when you think about it.

No, I want to pay for DLC, but also want to have them expanded over time, not left in some dark place.
That's why I started this topic in this thread... instead of expanding designer they're creating customizer.

 

[Mixxer5]

If you think free mods are much better than our DLCs then go ahead and play them, everyone wins.

Considering the fact that until ToG only way we could capture prisoners during/after sieges was by using mods, it's not so stupid what He said.

But seriously- it's nice of course to have new realms unlocked for playing, but You really could start adding something to core game. I'm far from saying that game should be more plausible historically in terms of what we see on map, but Abbasids reforming (867 scenario) and Fatimids expanding to Europe is simply funny in- as You called it in advertisements- "medieval ruler simulator". It's cool to have possibility to change my ruler hairdo or move my game to EU4, but it's not like it stops -for example- golden horde from sacking Paris in half of my games. Unless I use mentioned mods, which too- fail too nerf them significantly.

 

[Sielgaudys]

Awesome! Now if paradox would remove interfaith marriage block in this new patch i would sacrifice all people from state of Utah to Odin.

 

[Dartheal]

Considering the fact that until ToG only way we could capture prisoners during/after sieges was by using mods, it's not so stupid what He said.

But seriously- it's nice of course to have new realms unlocked for playing, but You really could start adding something to core game. I'm far from saying that game should be more plausible historically in terms of what we see on map, but Abbasids reforming (867 scenario) and Fatimids expanding to Europe is simply funny in- as You called it in advertisements- "medieval ruler simulator". It's cool to have possibility to change my ruler hairdo or move my game to EU4, but it's not like it stops -for example- golden horde from sacking Paris in half of my games. Unless I use mentioned mods, which too- fail too nerf them significantly.

I haven't seen the Fatmids go into Europe or the Golden Horde move past Poland in many, many patches.

 

[Nyrael]

It was a lot of tun, but wasn't playable in terms of balance/proper gameplay.
50g for assasinations for everyone... invasions for everyone if papa liked you more, almost no ambitions/plots, those crusades! (they're still awful however) and much more.

And what do those have to do with DLC? Those were fixed via patches, not DLC's -_-;

CK2 is the game with most DLC ever released (if not, it's pretty much on the top of it)...
If it isn't pretty much corporation apporach, then what is?

By that logic abandoning the game is better than constantly improving it... yeah, ideologists at their most ridiculous.

You're right about everything, BUT it would be ok, if they would give something for free, not in DLC.

With all due respect ...have you been living under a rock? The patches gave TONS of free features! Most DLC just unlock factions whose new features are given for free to AI. The only features you can only via DLC are Retinues, landless Adventurers, Rebellion improvements and the 867 Bookmark. Patriarchate, Crusade improvments, Republican features, Pagan features, Holy Site features, Decadence, Factions... all of those came for FREE.
And it would be completely understandable if PI decided to NOT have given these for free. no, commercially it is what they should have done as doing it this way is by no means profitable.

And if you do not buy a single piece of DLC, you still get 1.5 years worth of improvements. So what's your point?

Jumping of anti-DLC bandwagon that is so popular on the Internet obviously.

I'm not saying you're the most evil thing in games industry... but paradox is like every other corporation. Looking only for getting more and more $ while doing some great games.

...I am really starting to wonder about your world-view. Only an utter idiot would do it differently, simply because he would be forced to stop once he found out he lacks money to botn improve the game and lead that thing called life.
Making games is business, not charity.

And I'm using them... but it isn't reason to NOT complain about horrible paradox policy when it comes to DLC.

I am starting to think you are the Troll... alongside CDPR, PI is the only one who has an actually good DLC policy -_-;

The Catholic stuff is by far the worst stuff in the game (except for maybe playing something totally unintended, like Hellenic.) Let's see, entire investiture system is a joke, indulgences are a straight money->piety trade with no effect on anything else (the money just disappears, too; the Pope doesn't even get it), the antipope system is a completely tacked-on mess, crusades are buggy and break if the target has civil wars, excommunication is basically a demand for a bribe, etc.

Feudal System works, Character system works, Warfare system works, Diplomacy and character relations work, etc... what is necessary for the game to work works. And all of those are leagues above the game called Crusader Kings. Ever heard of it darling? You know,the game that CK2 was supposed to be an improvement from?
By your logic a game can never be finished because there will always, ALWAYS be something that can be improved. Ever after the Catholic DLC is out, you'll be able to make a list of things that should be added to improve it. Even after finishing that list you would be able to make a new list that is necessary to be finished. Even after that list... and so on and on and on... the only difference between PI and other companies is that they improve after months while other companies improve after years (via expensive sequels).

The weird thing is that I don't remember seeing nearly this much bitching about the old model Paradox used where they would release expansion packs which basically were patches that you had to pay for. If you didn't buy it so would you be stuck with a broken game in many cases. The DLC model that they are using for CK2 seems to be 100% superior to that, yet people complain about it here all the time (yet never offer a better alternative)

They don't complain because those are not called DLC. Certain kind of people see word DLC be hated on the Internet and, in order to make themselves think they are cool and IN, they jump at it without thinking or common sense. The other will simply whine until the whole game-making business either turns free (which is impossible) because it is in their interest to force the Developers to make it cheaper.
The old model was HORRENDOUS in comparison to this one, in every possible way. And light years more money-grabbing towards the customers. Still, some people will mindlessly defend it due to their DLC-phobia.

 

[Rozmarzony]

Fatimids in 1066 scenario are doing (naval) invasion for Greece, which ends successfully in most cases.

I am starting to think you are the Troll... alongside CDPR, PI is the only one who has an actually good DLC policy -_-;

So Nyrael, why you not mentioned my most important post, saying that paradox is ignoring once released DLC? West African, Decadence, entire LoR are example of this.

And what do those have to do with DLC? Those were fixed via patches, not DLC's -_-;

Without context
It was argument for ck2 being unfinished game upon release.

By that logic abandoning the game is better than constantly improving it... yeah, ideologists at their most ridiculous.

Without context.
If paradox would improve some DLC, there would be no need to create new ones like announced customizer, so using simple logic, there wouldn't be so many of them.

...I am really starting to wonder about your world-view. Only an utter idiot would do it differently, simply because he would be forced to stop once he found out he lacks money to botn improve the game and lead that thing called life.
Making games is business, not charity.

It's right, but everyone there are viewing paradox as angel amongst devils when it comes to games industry. Nothing more.

 

[unmerged(751237)]

Wait, a Catholic DLC is confirmed? A lot of you are talking about it like it's been announced with a dev diary on it and everything. If so, link?

 

[SBolshevik]

Fatimids in 1066 scenario are doing (naval) invasion for Greece, which ends successfully in most cases.

That hasn't happened in a loooooooooong time. Not since the nerf of the CB.

 

[Mixxer5]

I haven't seen the Fatmids go into Europe or the Golden Horde move past Poland in many, many patches.

Fatimids are very common view in Europe recently (uhm- I'm talking about game of course ). They usually drop by when Byzantines are fighting with Turks. Sure- not in every game, but quite usual.

And hordes are generally broken. I mean- unless they somehow exhaust their initial soldiers (which is incredibly hard, considering that they lose 1000 soldiers destroying 50k army...), they tend to extend faaaar beyond their historical borders. Ok- Paris was extreme (although real) example. Usually they stop somewhere at HRE border (but still conquering Hungary).

 

[SBolshevik]

Wait, a Catholic DLC is confirmed? A lot of you are talking about it like it's been announced with a dev diary on it and everything. If so, link?

It hasn't, but the devs said that "It's something that is very much expected and anticipated".

 

[Kljunas]

Wait, a Catholic DLC is confirmed? A lot of you are talking about it like it's been announced with a dev diary on it and everything. If so, link?

They said the next big DLC is going to be something that has been asked a lot by the community, so playable theocracies (and thus a necessary Catholic overhaul) are very likely.

 

[Mixxer5]

It hasn't, but the devs said that "It's something that is very much expected and anticipated".

They forgot to add- "so that's why we're working on Zulu invasion, and there will be no Catholic dlc"

 

[kraussda]

So I don't really understand DLC hate for DLC hate's sake. Until EA started locking out core content of games and putting them in DLC no one really had any problems with the DLC model.

On a higher level, A company just made a piece of software complementary, but not necessary, for the operation of another piece of software they made. Note that this means that the original piece of software is complete and functional which by any developers standard CK2 definitely WAS at release. Iterative improvements to the core software remain free while they charge a premium for access to this additional code. If you, as a consumer, are not willing to pay for this additional, complimentary, and unnecessary content, then don't buy it. Paradox doesn't care if you think it's unfair. They clearly both think it's fair and that their consumer base will see it as fair. Given the sales on their DLC, they're right. The sales numbers prove Paradox's model right, your complaints don't prove it wrong.

 

[Rozmarzony]

That hasn't happened in a loooooooooong time. Not since the nerf of the CB.

What nerf? It still costs 500 piety and is targeting entire kingdoms.

 

[Mixxer5]

So I don't really understand DLC hate for DLC hate's sake. Until EA started locking out core content of games and putting them in DLC no one really had any problems with the DLC model.

On a higher level, A company just made a piece of software complementary, but not necessary, for the operation of another piece of software they made. Note that this means that the original piece of software is complete and functional which by any developers standard CK2 definitely WAS at release. Iterative improvements to the core software remain free while they charge a premium for access to this additional code. If you, as a consumer, are not willing to pay for this additional, complimentary, and unnecessary content, then don't buy it. Paradox doesn't care if you think it's unfair. They clearly both think it's fair and that their consumer base will see it as fair. Given the sales on their DLC, they're right. The sales numbers prove Paradox's model right, your complaints don't prove it wrong.

Problem is that You never really know- did devs hadn't added some feature because they hadn't planned it from the beginning, or they wanted to squeeze some extra money?

Sure- it could be same way with expansion, but they simply look a bit more... honest? I'm not dlc hater of course (but I don't love the idea as well), but I understand why some people don't feel comfortable with it- for example, pre-order dlcs for EU4 cost 20$/euro. It's half as much as game itself today (and from all of these dlcs only CK2 converter look like something extra, that wouldn't fit base game.

 

[SBolshevik]

What nerf? It still costs 500 piety...

Uhh, you need to either have a border or have territory in the de iure kingdom you're attacking. I don't see the problem.

 

[Rozmarzony]

Problem is that You never really know- did devs hadn't added some feature because they hadn't planned it from the beginning, or they wanted to squeeze some extra money?

Sure- it could be same way with expansion, but they simply look a bit more... honest? I'm not dlc hater of course (but I don't love the idea as well), but I understand why some people don't feel comfortable with it- for example, pre-order dlcs for EU4 cost 20$/euro. It's half as much as game itself today (and from all of these dlcs only CK2 converter look like something extra, that wouldn't fit base game.

This! During release of Ck2, there were mongols faces.
Why not include them in-game? BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE MORE MONEY...

Without entire DLC thing it couldn't even have place.

And I dont want to even mention Eu4 situation, when developers cut off some stuff, created from it DLCs and are giving to people, who send enough e-mail to their friends... ; (

 

[208]

I don't wish to derail this thread about DLC policies, but...

After hatching a plot, you can now tell the game to automatically invite all plotters who are willing to join your scheme. No more having to browse through the Potential Plotters list and individually sending requests to every single character who wants to join!

Also, you can now set the game to always demand that characters end their plots as soon as they come to your attention. Another handy addition is that you can now see at a glance which potential plotters can be won over to your side if they are bribed.

Another feature that would be nice is being able to filter the character list by "willing to join plot" (and also "bribable") - I almost never invite "everyone possible" to a plot, because the more plotters there are the better the chances of the secret getting out. I like the indicator for who can be bribed, that sounds great