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EU4 - Development Diary - 12th of January 2021

After a few weeks without Dev Diaries, I am happy to present you a new one. I hope you all had a great time during them!

When I joined Paradox in October, Polynesia was not included in this Expansion. Considering it was the last part of the Earth without representation, I thought it would be nice to have some work done on it, so I proposed some ideas that I am happy to share with you all.

But, before I start, I would like to thank @Meka66 for his help and work that has greatly inspired me for this project.

THE MAP
The map has been slightly changed, since the basic needed setup was already there. However, in order to go a bit deeper, a few provinces have been added here and there. Do note that the flags are still a placeholder and not the final result.

Starting with Fiji, the archipelago has been divided in three provinces: one for each big island (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) and a third one for the Lau archipelago that had a great influence from Tonga. Each province has a country inhabiting it, which is an abstraction of the many clans that populated each island. Should you unite them all under your banner, you will be able to form Viti.

Fiji Archipelago.png

[Fiji Archipelago and TAGs]​

In New Zealand a new province has been added in North Island which has the most populated one by the Maori people. The number of countries, though, goes up to 7. Six of them (Mataatua, Tainui, Takitimu, Taranaki, Te Arawa and Te Tai Tokerau) are in the Northern Island and Waitaha is in the Southern One. As in the case of Fiji, a Maori country that manages to unite the area is able to form Aotearoa.

New Zealand Archipelago.png

[New Zealand Archipelago and TAGs]​

Finally, the greatest transformation has been done in the Hawaiian Archipelago, that has gone from one province to four. Each province has their own country attached (Hawai’i, Kaua’i, Maui and O’ahu). As in the other cases, there is a formable for the unifiers of the islands.

Hawaii Archipelago.png

[Hawaii Archipelago and TAGs]​

A Polynesian rework could not let the two most important countries out: Samoa and Tonga.

Samoa & Tonga Archipelago.png

[Samoan and Tongan Archipelagos and TAGs]​

THE MISSIONS
As in the case of the Americas, the mission tree consists of a general common mission tree for every country and some specific missions for each country or group of them.

Tongan Mission Tree.png

[Tonga Mission Tree]
(Notice that all icons are still placeholders)​

Tonga is probably the most important TAG during this period. Despite the fact that the Tongan Empire is no more, a skillful player could rebuild it, bringing not only the neighboring islands under the control of Tongatapu, but go even further.

Some highlights of this tree include:
  • Bringing both Fiji and Samoa under your control again.
  • Recovering the Tongan Empire.
  • Expand even further.

Samoan Mission Tree.png

[Samoan Mission Tree]
(Notice that all icons are still placeholders).​

If Tonga was the political power during the period, Samoa was the cultural one. Most of the Pacific was colonized from there and from there were most of the traditions that ruled the lives of the Polynesians.

Some highlights of this tree include:
  • Recover the place as the cultural center.
  • Challenge Tonga.
  • Replace Tonga as the main power in the Pacific.

In order to not spoil the surprise, I will let you discover what the missions for the Maori the Fijian and the Hawaiian countries consist of.

THE NATIONAL IDEAS
Adding new TAGs would not be the same if they were not accompanied by their National Ideas.

Starting with the Fijians TAGs, their warring nature brought them a reputation of ruthless combatants, feared by everyone. But Fijians were also deeply religious people and famous shipbuilding artisans. All these things are represented in their National Ideas, making them a rather expansionist set.

Code:
fijian_ideas = {
    start = {
        light_ship_power = 0.1
        naval_attrition = -0.1
    }
  
    bonus = {
        ae_impact = -0.2
    }
  
    trigger = {
        OR = {
            tag = LAI
            tag = VIL
            #TODO: tag = VIT
            tag = VNL
        }
    }
    free = yes
  
    fijian_crossroad = {
        num_accepted_cultures = 2
    }
    fijian_degel = {
        range = 0.1
        global_ship_trade_power = 0.1
    }
    fijian_conjoined = {
        global_missionary_strength = 0.02
    }
    fijian_waqa = {
        prestige_from_naval = 0.4
    }
    fijian_cannibal = {
        army_tradition_from_battle = 0.25
        prestige_from_land = 0.4
    }
    fijian_kai = {
        land_attrition = -0.25
    }
    fijian_confederacy = {
        global_tax_modifier = 0.05
        production_efficiency = 0.05
    }
}
[Fijian National Ideas]​

As in the case of the Fijians, the Maori are famed for their bravery and constant warfare. Their set of ideas is focused on land combat, without disregarding ways to keep the land around a strong leader.

Code:
maori_ideas = {
    start = {
        global_regiment_recruit_speed = -0.10
        harsh_treatment_cost = -0.20
    }
  
    bonus = {
        prestige = 1
    }
  
    trigger = {
        primary_culture = maori
    }
    free = yes
  
    sons_of_kupe = {
        global_sailors_modifier = 0.10
        range = 0.10
    }
    kaikiakitanga = {
        tolerance_own = 1
    }
    kaumatua = {
        stability_cost_modifier = -0.20
    }
    kapa_haka = {
        land_morale = 0.10
    }
    pa_defence = {
        fort_maintenance_modifier = -0.10
    }
    te_moko = {
        leader_land_shock = 1
    }
    maori_king = {
        core_creation = -0.10
        legitimacy = 1
    }
}
[Maori National Ideas]​

As with the missions, we’d better not spoil the surprise by showing everything, am I right? I have a challenge for those that love them: try a world conquest with a Polynesian TAG! There are a couple of things in this area that could help you in that adventure. ;)

THE EVENTS
Events are one of the parts I like the most. While not as much time as I would have liked has been available, I have added more than 40 events to the area, including general events, specific Country events and even a few Easter eggs that I hope you can find and enjoy!

Fiji Event.png

Practice is what makes you a good warrior, after all.
(Notice that all pictures are still placeholders).

Hawaii Event.png

This event can be very nasty if you are in a very bad shape.
(Notice that all pictures are still placeholders).

Samoan Event.png

As Samoa, you will be given the choice to reform your society a bit or go on with the traditions with every ruler.
(Notice that all pictures are still placeholders).​

THE EXTRAS
There are a few things that have been added in order to create a bigger sense of immersion.

Maori culture has been created, separated from the main Polynesian branch. By the start of the game, the Maori were abandoning the Archaic Maori Period and entering a transformation one. The Iwi became more sedentary and their once pacific nature became more warlike as competition for resources becomes more central. New traditions had evolved by this time that justifies separating them from their islander cousins.

A new Polynesian technology group has been created. This technology group is between that of the Mesoamericans and the North Americans in penalty, but starts at tech 2.

Most Estates have been renamed to their proper versions to increase the flavor.

And some extra surprises here and there.

For now this is all. We still have lots of things to show, so just be patient and enjoy the time in between, everything will come!
 
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so Europe can't colonise them before imperialism.
i hope Australia will still be free though.
It feels like everyone is forgetting the Exploration finisher, which would still apply to Australia and New Zealand. It looks like it's possible Australia will not be empty though, seeing as it has a unique religion color as per a dev diary that dropped a couple months before the break.
 
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I would have focused on more depth for the SEA area, more depth for the Buddhist religion, or adding more depth to current global mechanics personally. I would have left the area empty.

I look forward to seeing what was done though.
 
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The South Island looks a bit weird with just 3 provinces for such a huge landmass, perhaps it should be split a bit more.

It feels like everyone is forgetting the Exploration finisher, which would still apply to Australia and New Zealand. It looks like it's possible Australia will not be empty though, seeing as it has a unique religion color as per a dev diary that dropped a couple months before the break.
Uncolonized provinces with natives have their religion defined anyway and the unique color is only an indication that Animism was split.
 
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I love that they have gotten tags but won't this make it really hard for colonizers?
 
Definintely like these changes. No more Portugal/England filling in all the Polynesian islands. Would definitely love to see this expanded with a Polynesian religion, and then also expanding into Micronesia and Melanesia.
 
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Uncolonized provinces with natives have their religion defined anyway and the unique color is only an indication that Animism was split.
While it's true that you can see the religion of uncolonized provinces anyway, I don't think the Devs would have created new religions from splitting Animism if there were no new TAGs following those religions, it would basically be wasted effort.
 
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You won't even interact with them in 95% of cases. These 7 OPMs in New Zealand alone will be there just to lower your game performance. But I'm sure there are few youtubers who will do some meme videos about them so there is that.
Well i'm not youtuber but i would like to try and form Hawaii, if it's formable tag and when this DLC comes of course.
 
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Very happy seeing some love in Polynesia. Picking who I want to play first with all of the different areas getting touched in this DLC is going to be tough, but I'm definitely looking forward to playing a Hawai'i or Maori game at some point.
 
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We europeans are so oppressed, never any love for europeans, just ignore all the DLCs ever. (This part is a joke btw)
Seriously, Europe is overrated I want more America (both natives and colonial) and Africa. Europe-based expansions get boring after some time.
Man what i would love to see is some Middle East focus, missions for Persia, Ottomans, Mameluks or Arabia.
 
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Man what i would love to see is some Middle East focus, missions for Persia, Ottomans, Mameluks or Arabia.
Definitely, but the New World is the worst part of the game, at least the Middle East is playable. Though I find missions unnecessary. The game should have flavour for all of those (more than Germany) but the game should be fun without missions.
 
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While it's true that you can see the religion of uncolonized provinces anyway, I don't think the Devs would have created new religions from splitting Animism if there were no new TAGs following those religions, it would basically be wasted effort.
Not if it is used in other places.
 
The South Island looks a bit weird with just 3 provinces for such a huge landmass, perhaps it should be split a bit more.


Uncolonized provinces with natives have their religion defined anyway and the unique color is only an indication that Animism was split.
This reasoning doesn't make sense to me. Why would they split animism on uncolonized land? Where else would a religion applied to the indigenous people of Australia be applicable? What we've seen of Australia also shows that Tiwi island was split into its own province which is a telltale sign of a province rework of some kind. We also know that the developer of Oceania Expanded is now a paradox employee (the Tiwi island thing is also featured in that mod). Evidence points much more toward Australia's rework featuring tags than not.
 
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Definitely, but the New World is the worst part of the game, at least the Middle East is playable. Though I find missions unnecessary. The game should have flavour for all of those (more than Germany) but the game should be fun without missions.
Totaly agree. New World deserve some touch and are in dire need. Step by step i guess. As for missions i find them quite interesting. To me they represent something like navigation system. Which direction should i go in order to get some rewards or something like that.
 
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Did not expect this at all! Honestly I'd sort of given up hope that polynesia would ever get any love. As someone who loves playing outside Europe I'm super hyped about having a whole new region of the world to play in. Not sure now whether my first run of 1.31 will be as Algonquin or Tonga.

Edit: just came up with a fun achievement idea:

Veni Vidi Viti: As Viti, become the emperor of China
 
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I would love to see "Rapa Nui" in Eastern Island (technically part of Polynesia) but it would probably be not fun as they're far away from other inhabited island.
 
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This reasoning doesn't make sense to me. Why would they split animism on uncolonized land? Where else would a religion applied to the indigenous people of Australia be applicable? What we've seen of Australia also shows that Tiwi island was split into its own province which is a telltale sign of a province rework of some kind. We also know that the developer of Oceania Expanded is now a paradox employee (the Tiwi island thing is also featured in that mod). Evidence points much more toward Australia's rework featuring tags than not.
You are missing the forrest for the trees.

Australia was not split.

Asia was.

Sure, the screenshots we've seen have shown Asia with Animism and Australia with other religion, but that's because it was work in progress. Having a number of Asian nations use the same religion as Polynesia and South America never made much sense, and was no longer reasonable to sustain with the addition of many new tags.

So the religion was split. What we've seen of that was different colours for Asian Animism and whatever Australia uses, but aside from in some people's heads, there is no proof that there is a separate religion for Australia. It may very well be the same "generic Animism" that non-Inti South America still uses (it has been said many times that South America was not reworked).

I understand that what people want to see is a separate religion "just and only for Australia", but that is not what was shown. What was shown is that Animism got split and that Asia and Australia are in different parts of that split. Nothing more. What the split is like? We do not know. Maybe it's a dozen religions, maybe 3-4, maybe just 2.

Sure, there may be a unique Australia only religion, but even if that's the case, it is just one symbol, a few words of description and no mechanic. And to be fair, that's an hour of work to do.
 
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