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EU4 - Development Diary - 16th of February 2021

Hello everybody and welcome back to another EUIV dev diary and it has been a while for me!

Shortly before EUIV moved over to sunny Barcelona, I devoted some of my time to reworking Australia as I felt the current map of the continent was a bit lacking and very annoying to own what with all these little unconnected islands amidst the wasteland. On top of that, the continent being an entirely uncolonized block of nothing before colonialism seems a little inaccurate, given how lively the continent actually was before the Europeans arrived.

So, first thing to note is that Australia is now entirely connected through colonisable provinces, with the great Pilbara now connecting the north and west of Australia.
20210215172646_1.jpg

Another important rework comes in the form of the new states Australia now enjoys. What I wanted out of this is I wanted Australia to be on par with the other colonial regions in the game in terms of province count and strategic importance.
20210215170805_1.jpg

When shaping the states and provinces, I wanted to hit a nice balance between pre and post colonial Australian borders, so state borders are largely determined by colonial Australian state boundaries, while provinces are more determined by the distribution of Aboriginal peoples. All provinces also have both their Aboriginal and colonial names depending on who owns the province.
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The Australian Gold Rush can now be yours, with Australian provinces enjoying a high chance of gold and some provinces in the south having a chance for gems, and a few key provinces able to produce coal.
20210215172855_1.jpg

Next, I’ll highlight some of the playable nations down under. Up north we have the Larrakia Federation composed of all of the top-end nations you see here, with Larrakia and Tiwi enjoying a unique set of national ideas. The Larrakia federation was responsible for much of pre-colonial Australia’s wealth through trade with the Makassarians. This trade also brought with it some Islamic influences, though the Aboriginal people of Australia never fully converted.
20210215170717_1.jpg

LAR_ideas = {
start = {
global_trade_power = 0.1
trade_efficiency = 0.1
}

bonus = {
global_ship_trade_power = 0.2
}

trigger = {
tag = LAR
}
free = yes #will be added at load.

LAR_makassar_trade = {
merchants = 1
global_foreign_trade_power = 0.1
}
LAR_federation = {
diplomatic_upkeep = 2
}
LAR_dreaming = {
global_autonomy = -0.05
}
LAR_dowed = {
legitimacy = 1
republican_tradition = 0.2
global_unrest = -1
}
LAR_ceremonial_scarring = {
shock_damage = 0.1
}
LAR_hospitality = {
diplomatic_reputation = 2
}
LAR_kenbi_land_claim = {
core_creation = -0.15
}
}

TIW_ideas = {
start = {
female_advisor_chance = 0.75
shock_damage_received = -0.2
}

bonus = {
leader_land_shock = 1
}

trigger = {
tag = TIW
}
free = yes

TIW_yiminga = {
may_recruit_female_generals = yes
global_manpower_modifier = 0.2
}
TIW_dreaming_totem = {
tolerance_own = 2
}
TIW_kulama = {
production_efficiency = 0.1
}
TIW_purrukapali = {
naval_tradition_from_battle = 0.5
}
TIW_marriage = {
heir_chance = 0.5
global_unrest = -1
}
TIW_isolationism = {
land_morale = 0.1
}
TIW_one_people = {
culture_conversion_cost = -0.25
}
}

Moving along down south we have the Eora people, the original inhabitants of the Sydney area.
EOR_ideas = {
start = {
diplomatic_reputation = 1
light_ship_power = 0.15
}

bonus = {
num_accepted_cultures = 2
}

trigger = {
tag = EOR
}
free = yes

EOR_lifestyle = {
naval_morale = 0.15
}
EOR_bands = {
state_maintenance_modifier = -0.25
}
EOR_enduring = {
religious_unity = 0.25
tolerance_heathen = 1
}
EOR_protect = {
manpower_recovery_speed = 0.1
global_sailors_modifier = 0.1
}
EOR_sacred = {
own_coast_naval_combat_bonus = 1
}
EOR_pemulwuy = {
land_morale = 0.15
}
EOR_berewaldal = {
merchants = 1
global_foreign_trade_power = 0.1
}
}

The Kaurna people, first inhabitants of Adelaide.
KAU_ideas = {
start = {
female_advisor_chance = 0.75
global_tax_modifier = 0.3
}

bonus = {
development_cost = -0.1
}

trigger = {
tag = KAU
}
free = yes

KAU_totemic_matriarchy = {
may_recruit_female_generals = yes
tolerance_own = 2
}
KAU_pangkarra = {
governing_capacity_modifier = 0.1
}
KAU_coastal_pangkarra = {
global_ship_trade_power = 0.2
}
KAU_redgum_shelters = {
build_cost = -0.15
}
KAU_communal_ownership = {
global_unrest = -2
}
KAU_old_tjilbruke = {
stability_cost_modifier = -0.1
reform_progress_growth = 0.15
}
KAU_south_australia_act = {
core_creation = -0.2
}
}

Palawa, first people of Tasmania.
PLW_ideas = {
start = {
stability_cost_modifier = -0.1
land_morale = 0.1
}

bonus = {
monarch_military_power = 1
}

trigger = {
tag = PLW
}
free = yes #will be added at load.

PLW_oyster = {
production_efficiency = 0.1
}
PLW_dual_identity = {
legitimacy = 1
num_accepted_cultures = 1
}
PLW_darwin = {
shock_damage = 0.2
}
PLW_parlevar = {
ae_impact = -0.15
}
PLW_writers = {
technology_cost = -0.1
}
PLW_survivors = {
fire_damage = 0.1
}
PLW_enduring = {
manpower_recovery_speed = 0.25
}
}

Kamilaroi, one of the most populated collective of Australian nations.
GMI_ideas = {
start = {
land_morale = 0.1
shock_damage = 0.1
}

bonus = {
land_forcelimit_modifier = 0.33
}

trigger = {
tag = GMI
}
free = yes #will be added at load.

GMI_sacred_caves = {
core_creation = -0.15
}
GMI_land_of_languages = {
num_accepted_cultures = 2
}
GMI_fertile_soils = {
development_cost = -0.1
}
GMI_dhulu = {
diplomats = 1
envoy_travel_time = -0.25
}
GMI_matrilineal_lineage = {
legitimacy = 1
republican_tradition = 0.2
female_advisor_chance = 0.5
}
GMI_familial_law = {
global_autonomy = -0.05
}
GMI_red_kangaroo = {
global_unrest = -2
}
}

I would have loved to have made ideas for all nations in Australia, but alas time was not on my side there so if you do not have unique ideas, you will get the shared Aboriginal Ideas.
generic_aboriginal_ideas = {
start = {
tolerance_own = 1
stability_cost_modifier = -0.1
}

bonus = {
shock_damage = 0.1
}

trigger = {
culture_group = aboriginal_australian
}
free = yes

aborig_art = {
prestige = 1
}
aborig_fire_stick_farming = {
development_cost = -0.1
}
aborig_walkabout = {
movement_speed = 0.1
}
aborig_outback = {
land_attrition = -0.1
}
aborig_sacred = {
global_tax_modifier = 0.1
}
aborig_dreamtime = {
religious_unity = 0.2
}
aborig_music = {
improve_relation_modifier = 0.2
}
}

But Aboriginal culture is not a single monolithic entity, so it has been divided into its own group. If we were being entirely accurate about this, almost all provinces in Australia would be their own culture, so some generalization has been done for gameplay purposes.
20210215173636_1.jpg

On top of all these new nations, the Aboriginal Australians also have access to the new Alcheringa religion! Most commonly known to colonizers as “Dreamtime”, Alcheringa refers to the vast distinct religions found among the Australian population. Though each people usually have their own distinct faith, most Australian faiths have a concept of “Dreamtime” or “The Dreaming”, a time of myth and legend that simultaneously occurred in the distant past and continues to occur around us every day.
20210215173412_1.jpg

Every Aboriginal people has their own pantheon of gods and “Dreaming Stories”. Alcheringa uses a system similar to the Fetishist cult system, with new stories becoming unlocked via missions.

These missions vary in what you must do, from defeating enemies in battle, to building an oceangoing vessel for the first time, to turning the Makassar trade on its head and dominating trade in the Moluccas.

The Aboriginals also enjoy all new unit models.
image (21).png


That’s all for this week, hope you all enjoy my last hurrah of EUIV content.
 
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As you are so knowledgable, can you show me some references to the Eoran navy and their light ships and costal defenses?
EU4 is supposed to be a game based on history, meaning there should be a relation between national ideas and the history of said nations. And for a nation get this many military ideas the history should show a string of military successes and exceptional behaviour.
So is that the case? Were the Palawa really this warlike and had such a powerful military so that those ideas make sense instead of being completely based on fantasy as a form of difficulty slider?
Behold, the mighty Eoran Navy circa 1789
 

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You don't need to be an academic scholar to tell when someone is talking rubbish. I was mostly taking issue with the claim that the culture and civilisation of the aboriginal people was 'nothing'.

True, to my limited knowledge they did not have a history of vast conquests, and maybe the military ideas could be toned down a little but... It just doesn't strike me as a big issue for the other reasons I listed- they're OPMs based in far-away Australia with terrible unit pips. You could give them god-tier ideas and they still would be weaker than the average European OPM. If you want to get upset over nations with unbalanced and historically unjustifiable military ideas, look to nations like Prussia.
Do you really mind some irrelevant OPMs having 2 or 3 powerful ideas? This might give us a few MP possibilities in the region, some fun gamestyle with new religion. Are you this insecure about European majors and other relative powers, honestly?
 
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-Sir, the British are blockating our ports !
-Ok fine, draft all the transport we can.
-We... we are fleeing to protect the king ?
-No, we have +100% transport combat ability, we are the new naval meta, MOUAHAHA !!

Combat log: -100 transport ship. -10 naval tradition. -10 prestige.
 
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I think the best part about this update is that Australia is now connected. That was so annoying.

I would've left Australia empty of tags though and focused on more events for tags that get more play or are expected to be the heavy hitters of the DLC.

I like the national ideas. They don't have as deep permanent modifiers as other nations (Austria, Spain, Prussia etc) so they'll never perform as well even if the nation ideas were on par but it does make me excited to stick as the tag rather than try to find the first tag to switch into.

For each new comment about national ideas, I will replace a Prussian military bonus with +10% Transport Combat Ability. I may lack the authority to do it, but by golly I'll try. I got very twitchy fingers.
For the April Fools dev diary you should do this and announce the Prussian tag is being switched to Prussian Blue color as well as a few.... other tags.
 
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Alright, you asked for it. I am very pleased to reveal the new Prussian National Ideas:
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I will return to actually answering some questions later, and clarifying some things about how the Aboriginal religion works.
 
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Seriously devs, if you would spend 1/3 of the time you develop "meme" content and balance the game around MP, you'd probably eliminate all critical and less critical bugs, exploits, inconsistencies that are in EU4.
BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED OP ABORIGENS MORE THAN FIXED GAME, HURRRRRRAY!

Here is the thing, this was done mostly (if not entirely) on the Dev's free time so we are getting more content than we would have otherwise if the guy who did this wasn't interested in seeing Australia reworked.

Now, notice how we only ever see map rework, new tags and new NIs being included because a Dev had too much time on his hand and wanted to see it implemented, but we never see balance or bugfixes coming as a consequence of someone wanting to improve the game.

Also in the past we've seen both models and sounds getting reworked in a similar fashion. I can't speak for the models but the sound rework was bloody amazing.
 
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If Australia is getting more stuff will there also be Achievements tied to that? Something like; The Irwin Zoo: As Australia own all provinces with animals on them or an achievement for conquering the British Isles as an Aboriginal? @covya had the idea for a special achievement for aboriginals if you manage to conquer the world with an upside down screen.
 
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Seriously devs, if you would spend 1/3 of the time you develop "meme" content and balance the game around MP, you'd probably eliminate all critical and less critical bugs, exploits, inconsistencies that are in EU4.
BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED OP ABORIGENS MORE THAN FIXED GAME, HURRRRRRAY!

You must be new to EU4.

The game used to be much more riddled with bugs in the Dharma patch and they still kept steaming ahead with development and bug fixes simultaneously.

I have no doubt like the 20 or so patches before this one there will be bug fixes alongside new updates and there will be missed bugs that people will thing is more important than providing new content.

To me no bug fix for something that is presently broke is as important as coming out with new content. I'd rather have new content.
 
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@Meka66

Any plans to release a Aboriginal Unit DLC PACK with Boomerang attack effect? It's a must have to this expansion, if not put on the DLC hehehehe.

And can be applied a attack on 2 units enemy in single throw.

Good DD, well done to Paradox .
 
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Seriously devs, if you would spend 1/3 of the time you develop "meme" content and balance the game around MP, you'd probably eliminate all critical and less critical bugs, exploits, inconsistencies that are in EU4.
content is produced by the content designers.

most of the critical bugs are in the C++ code of the game engine.

content designers are not (paid to be) C++ programmers familiar with the internals of the game engine.
 
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It's not conciously designed as such, but the historical biases that fuel the lack of interest by the devs are the same that fuel the lack of interesting mechanics or additions in those areas. ''Anglo'' regions get constant attention because of anglophone team members, or due to cultural influence of those nations (see how US natives molded popular culture ideas in Europe about Native Americans as a whole)

I'd say Golden Century really soured this whole discussion in general, not El Dorado. It was supposed to be the turn of South America and Iberia to get their needed map updates and new flavour; and instead we got... Texas and Pirates, more anglo content; pretty sure Portugal got like, two provinces or so. It seems that the team, while working on it, just ran with anglo-centric views of history in Iberia (see the idea of ''Minority Expulsion'' something that ironically enough only England ever did; Spain and Portugal vetted New World settlers very throughly) It was a DLC about the Spanish Colonial Empire in name only, and now people just feel like the areas are abandoned.



I honestly dont think so, really. Its more of an issue of what the devs believe warrants their attention, and as anglophones and sometimes locals of the USA and Australia, its only natural they focus on what they know and care about the most.

If anything, that angle was true it would mean they'd work on Brazil, not Oceania. Not like Tahiti or the Outback are known for their voracious strategy gaming market
It is completely untrue to say that only England expelled minorities. The Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492 and Portugal a few years later largely because of Spanish pressure.

It is also untrue to say that Spain vetted new world settlers thoroughly. According to contemporary accounts many early Spanish settlers were Conversos fleeing the Inquisition.

Where I agree with you is that Golden Century is a poor expansion with badly thought out content and mechanics.
 
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Its not about the effect but about how NIs are developed.
As a historical game the NIs should have imo a basis in history instead of being completely fantasy because "doesn't matter because they are weak".
I dont think so, having a basis in history seems like code speak to they have a history that matters to me speciifcally and that saw it come into fruition in some event, most nations in eu4 dont have that, they ceased existing long before, in all other cases since the things in game are abstractions of the real deal you can assume pretty much anything really
 
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It's nice to see some development of Australia but I don't live in Victoria ie you've got Vic going waaaaay far to the north, and also the largest central NSW tribe seems to be missing ie Wiradjuri, who basically are from the Murrumbidgee in the south to Dubbo in the north and Bathurst in the East to lake Cargelligo in the west
 
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I will return to actually answering some questions later, and clarifying some things about how the Aboriginal religion works.


Already asked this but since it'll easily get drowned in the feed:

Are there gonna be any holy site for Alcheringa religion? Any national monuments in australia?
 
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I dont think so, having a basis in history seems like code speak to they have a history that matters to me speciifcally and that saw it come into fruition in some event, most nations in eu4 dont have that, they ceased existing long before, in all other cases since the things in game are abstractions of the real deal you can assume pretty much anything really
Its not code.
Lets take everyones favorite meme, Ulm. You can take each idea they have and connect them to the cities history. They were a center of trade, situated at the crossing of trade routes, hence the trade ideas.
Ulm was also known for its textile industry and exported it in whole Europe, hence the production efficiency, and also for its sculptures and other art for prestige.
It was the seat of a union of free cities because it was so influential which covers the diplomatic relations and the burghers were known to be very rich (in coin) which can be translated to the burgher loyality.
The city was later made into a fortress city which explain fortress defense, although that mostly happened after EU4s timeframe. But even before that it had larger fortifications simply based on that the city could afford them.

So, what events in history can be used to explain the shock or fire damage for Palawa? Did they had a very gifted leader in military matters to explain the +1 mil mana?

If ideas are not decided by history and instead by difficulty and "if it matters", then Ulm would have very different ideas which would make it stronger, but have nothing in common with the cities history. Also France and the Osmans would likely have crap ideas according to that way of thinking as they start off strong.
 
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I don’t suppose after doing such a good job with Eu4 Australia the Hoi4 team will have you work on editing 1936 Australia?

Also, will Colonial Australia be better at supporting wars in Asia?
 
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