Folks, the Bengal tiger has been out of the bag for a week now, so I think it's time for the first dev diary on Crusader Kings II: Rajas of India! In this first entry, I will just give you a quick overview of what this new expansion to Crusader Kings II is and what it is not. In the weeks to come, I will cover each feature in detail.

First of all, why India? Well, it's always been a long-term goal of mine, and we have gone through the obvious stuff by now. The old eastern edge of the map is suboptimal, both politically and geographically. Many powerful states that interacted with Europe are cut in half, not to mention that the southeastern corner of the map is unhistorically dull. In general, adding India will make the whole Middle East more interesting to play. Most importantly though, India is such a dynamic and fascinating region!



Now, there has been some speculation about how the map will be handled exactly, and the answer is simply that we are extending it far to the east. It's not a separate map or anything like that. This means that everyone who owns the game will be able to interact with, (and conquer!) India, whether they own Rajas of India or not.

In order to extend the map and try keep the wasteland areas to a minimum while at the same time making sure India was big enough, we had to twist the entire eastern part of the old map. While the new map projection is no more realistic per se, we did seize this opportunity to correct some fairly major problems with the old map, especially around the Caspian and Aral seas. The addition of all this new territory also meant we could finally put many provinces in their correct place (we had tended to crowd the eastern edge of the old map with provinces that were actually off map, due to their importance.) Apart from all the new Indian provinces, we have also added provinces in central Siberia, Transoxania and Afghanistan. So far, I think we're at about 330 new provinces, bringing the total count up to 1442 (including all sea zones), and it's likely we'll add some more before we're done.



Best of all, none of this will cost you a dime. However, if you wish to play as a Hindu, Buddhist or Jain ruler - with all the associated mechanics, graphics and events - you will have to buy the expansion. You really don't want to miss out on things like reincarnation, holy cows, levitating monks, Thuggees and tiger hunts! Oh, and there will be a unique set of Indian portraits included in Rajas of India.

Can the game really handle all these new characters and provinces without slowing to a crawl? Yes. Actually, memory usage was the bigger issue, but we've comfortably reduced that by more than 300Mb, which allows us to add all the extra characters. We've also optimized the game for speed, but it might end up running a bit slower than before (though it should only be noticeable on speed 5 unless you have an ancient rig.) I should also mention that due to the drastic changes we are making to the game, old save games will not remain compatible with version 2.1! However, version 2.0.4 will remain available as a beta branch on Steam.

That's all for today folks! Peace.



[video=youtube;TBQmY4TKUrc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBQmY4TKUrc[/video]

 

[DominusNovus]

The point is not about "too exotic" being bad. It´s actually the opposite of that. Tempestra and KPJ are arguing that an "exotic" and Orientalist (as Edward Said defines it) viewpoint, instead of a respectful depiction of Indian culture (which could be humorous sometimes, by the way), would be bad. Would, as we don´t know if it will be. But the concern is pretty valid, considering some of the event references already given.

My point is that the concern isn't really valid, because Paradox has not shown itself prone to doing anything too outrageous in its games. If they were prone to Orientalism (which I think is overstated anyway), you would see it in their treatment of Islam within the game. Sure enough, once Islamic characters were playable, they were fleshed out in reasonable fashion. Decadence, for all its gameplay problems, is based on a genuine Islamic theory of political history (and a damn good theory of political history, for that). The rivalry between the Mu'tazilites and Ash'ari is implemented (though it could use some more detail), when I'm willing to bet that, even amongst as historical literate a customer base as Paradox has, most were totally unaware of these competing philosophies (myself, I had only really come to learn about them in detail a few months prior).

Now, if Paradox had made playing a Muslim character all about conversion by the sword and stealing Christian women for wives, then we'd have reason to worry about their treatment of the Dharmic religions in RoI.

PS, if any culture in-game has been reduced to little more than a caricature, I'd have to say it would be the Vikings. But we can't expect a Swedish company to know much about them, so thats understandable.

 

[Baalshazar]

So not only is the India expansion contrived map-wise, it's also going to introduce more supernatural elements to the game?
Also, you're wrong, Doomdark. The obvious stuff is not out of the way. There still aren't cadet dynasties, or naval combat. Or localized governments. All things that would be far more topical than India.
I'm passing on this expansion, but it looks like I also won't have much of a choice with further patches. What an abortion this is.

Edit:Not to mention the host of bugs this will bring. Likely far more than SoA or TOG

-Facepalm-

 

[FlyingSquirrel]

Looks awesome. :happy:

 

[Kljunas]

So not only is the India expansion contrived map-wise, it's also going to introduce more supernatural elements to the game?
Also, you're wrong, Doomdark. The obvious stuff is not out of the way. There still aren't cadet dynasties, or naval combat. Or localized governments. All things that would be far more topical than India.
I'm passing on this expansion, but it looks like I also won't have much of a choice with further patches. What an abortion this is.

Edit:Not to mention the host of bugs this will bring. Likely far more than SoA or TOG

I can't imagine PI ever releasing a "cadet branches and naval combat" DLC. These kinds of things are always included in unrelated larger expansions.

If you don't want bugs then don't update immediately and wait for 2.06.

 

[NewbieOne]

My point is that the concern isn't really valid, because Paradox has not shown itself prone to doing anything too outrageous in its games. If they were prone to Orientalism (which I think is overstated anyway), you would see it in their treatment of Islam within the game. Sure enough, once Islamic characters were playable, they were fleshed out in reasonable fashion. Decadence, for all its gameplay problems, is based on a genuine Islamic theory of political history (and a damn good theory of political history, for that). The rivalry between the Mu'tazilites and Ash'ari is implemented (though it could use some more detail), when I'm willing to bet that, even amongst as historical literate a customer base as Paradox has, most were totally unaware of these competing philosophies (myself, I had only really come to learn about them in detail a few months prior).

Now, if Paradox had made playing a Muslim character all about conversion by the sword and stealing Christian women for wives, then we'd have reason to worry about their treatment of the Dharmic religions in RoI.

PS, if any culture in-game has been reduced to little more than a caricature, I'd have to say it would be the Vikings. But we can't expect a Swedish company to know much about them, so thats understandable.

Orientalism isn't bad for anything that lays pretentions to being centred on the crusading nobles.

 

[ARC Starscream]

Love this expansion, gives me a chance to learn about the history of my country, my people, look forward to it!!!

 

[Cardinal Sin]

Orientalism isn't bad for anything that lays pretentions to being centred on the crusading nobles.

"Rajas of India" centers on crusading nobles? I thought it centered on India?^^

Anyways, it looks awesome. Though I feel a bit sad about the haters that attack the mere concept before they know anything at all about what the expansion will entail. I for one am looking forward to the next dev diary.

BTW naval combat would throw the balance in CKII very much off kilter as it would make coastal provinces even more powerful. Also, to be honest it is a bit of a pain in EUIV. And cadet branches are extremely low down on my list of priorities. And we have local government - it's called barons.

 

[Eldorian]

Great! I hope Kingdom of Persia won't be too big. Maybe new kingdoms like Kurdistan and Khorasan? Khorasan (maybe name it Parthia, Afghanistan, or Balochistan?) could include new provinces between old Persia and India, while Kurdistan could include Azerbaijan, Gilan, Mosul, and Jazira. Mesopotamian and Persian kingdoms were stretched too much in that direction, and if even Alans and Nubians got dejure kingdoms, why not Kurds?

I agree here. Modern Iran is smaller than de jure Kingdom of Persia, but has more people and more land than France, which is 5 or so de jure kingdoms. Several middle eastern de jure kingdoms are very large, specifically Egypt, Mesopotamia and Persia. I mean large geographically and by population.

 

[Sleight of Hand]

Next week, please provide cultural, religious and de jure screenshots.

 

[Kljunas]

Orientalism isn't bad for anything that lays pretentions to being centred on the crusading nobles.

It wouldn't be bad if you were only playing as a crusader encountering strange people from the mythical realm of Hindustan. But we're talking about playing as an Indian character here, and in this case it should be historically accurate.

 

[Hector of Troy]

So not only is the India expansion contrived map-wise, it's also going to introduce more supernatural elements to the game?
Also, you're wrong, Doomdark. The obvious stuff is not out of the way. There still aren't cadet dynasties, or naval combat. Or localized governments. All things that would be far more topical than India.
I'm passing on this expansion, but it looks like I also won't have much of a choice with further patches. What an abortion this is.

Edit:Not to mention the host of bugs this will bring. Likely far more than SoA or TOG

Frankly, what an abortion of a comment this post of yours is. Double, triple face-palm wouldn't be enough for your pathetic rant.

 

[NewbieOne]

"Rajas of India" centers on crusading nobles? I thought it centered on India?^^

And cadet branches are extremely low down on my list of priorities.

Same, though I guess they could reduce the oddity of some counts somewhere hanging on to the surname of a long dynasty long since inherited by female-line heirs. By the current logic the Latin Emperors should be normal Capets, for example, along with Hungary and Naples in the last starts. And for some time England should have the same dynasty with Jerusalem. And the Welfs and the d'Estes should be one family.

And we have local government - it's called barons.

We even have mayors talking about their empty coffers and asking for less tax on cities.

As for the 'Estates of the Realm', huh, well, the Haute Cour or the early Westminster Parliament or the Diet could be somewhat interesting, I guess. Actually, that could be a way to hold the Piasts and similar Slavic dynasties down a bit without equipping them with fictitious vassals.

 

[Montezuma II]

I am excited about this mainly about the new events that will come with this DLC

 

[Berkis]

You have to stop somewhere, unless you want to just turn CK2 into EUIV: Medieval. I dont see how you can include tibet without China tbh. Though maybe its correct and CK2 should just expand to include the whole old world.

Yeah, the travels of Marco Polo here woun't be rather relevant

 

[Eldorian]

Hey now! Don't forget there are a few, rare Muslims groups that also believe in reincarnation. Alawis and Druze, for example. Since Druze are in the game, it would be really cool if they got access to the reincarnation mechanics too!!!

Tiger hunts could also be expanded. Caspian Tigers weren't extinct 1000 years ago.

 

[killerbee256]

Is the Pala empire getting favour text when they retake provinces similar to what the Byzantines get in LoR?

 

[LawrenceVH]

No mention of Islam in India. That's disappointing. Tell me how you'll implement the Sufi saints, who had some impact on history. We all know Hindus don't eat cows, it's completely insignificant and immaterial to the gameplay (as reincarnation ought to be, in my opinion).

In my opinion, the dynastic aspect of CKII makes reincarnation a valid point - it could either be good or bad.
If you act like one or the other dead relatives, the belief of reincarnation could influence the "like/dislike" of the people around you.
It could be nothing more than a culture frame or a religious use of leaders to stay in power.

 

[DominusNovus]

So 15-30 and I assume bulk of them go to east Africa?

At the moment, we only know of one that will be in East Africa (Socotra is obviously a different province now, since its not ruled by the same dynasty as in Somalia). And, from what we can see in the screenie, there doesn't seem to be too much change on the eastern edge of East Africa, so any changes would be in the Ethiopian Highlands and/or Nubia. And there's only so much that can be changed there, so, of those 15-30, I'm guessing 5 or so will be East African: Socotra, 1-2 in Nubia, and 2-3 in Ethiopia.

 

[Khanwulf]

If you're still adding provinces, please ensure we have Nepal and Bhutan as well. Areas north of that are "China", but these regions are part of the Indian sphere.

And besides, playing the dragon realm would be awesome!

--Khanwulf

 

[Hackworthy]

My interest in this has finally been piqued. The memory issue has been a major concern for me but I'll take Henrik's word on it.