Treat this as a thought experiment rather than any criticism of the current setup. The big 4 Paradox grand strategy games cover 867 - 1947. If it were up to you, though, what periods would be covered by which games and why? Feel free to suggest new game ideas if you think the current 4 aren’t enough.
Personally I would stick with the current 4 but amend the concepts as follows:
Crusader Kings (1071-1485) - Central Europe is finally settled, no more rampaging Vikings or Magyars, and the Normans have exported the feudal system to Britain, so it makes sense to start your feudalism game here. Manzikert has rattled the ERE and the groundwork for the first crusade has been laid (it would be nice to see proper crusades in a CK game!). Would extend the timeline a little for some end-game fun with cannons and to encompass the Wars of the Roses.
Europa Universalis (1485 - 1789) - Starting a little bit later gets rid of a lot of medieval hangovers, Tudor England is out of France, Burgundy is gone, so Austria and most of the main players for next 300 years are firmly in place. Takes the age of mercantilism up to its logical end point.
Victoria (1775 - 1936) - Bit controversial but I would like to see the Revolutionary period covered by Vicky; it does a great job of simulating the spread of ideas amongst the pops. New mechanics for big revolutions in major powers and how they can be subverted by Napoleon or Lenin types. More possibility for alt-history, maybe less emphasis on being a cement factory construction simulator.
HoI (1914 - 1991) - I think this needs the biggest shot in the arm, giving it a broader focus than just one war. Add light elements of peacetime economics and politics from Vicky. Players should have non-military options and there should be a strong ‘Global Tensions’ mechanic encouraging the formation of strategic or ideological blocs. Really simulate the diplomatic brinkmanship leading to World Wars. Starting on the eve of WW1, Britain and Germany would start at loggerheads. The same mechanics would fit the USA and USSR for Cold War starts.
That’s how I would set up the grand strategy offering, anyway.
Personally I would stick with the current 4 but amend the concepts as follows:
Crusader Kings (1071-1485) - Central Europe is finally settled, no more rampaging Vikings or Magyars, and the Normans have exported the feudal system to Britain, so it makes sense to start your feudalism game here. Manzikert has rattled the ERE and the groundwork for the first crusade has been laid (it would be nice to see proper crusades in a CK game!). Would extend the timeline a little for some end-game fun with cannons and to encompass the Wars of the Roses.
Europa Universalis (1485 - 1789) - Starting a little bit later gets rid of a lot of medieval hangovers, Tudor England is out of France, Burgundy is gone, so Austria and most of the main players for next 300 years are firmly in place. Takes the age of mercantilism up to its logical end point.
Victoria (1775 - 1936) - Bit controversial but I would like to see the Revolutionary period covered by Vicky; it does a great job of simulating the spread of ideas amongst the pops. New mechanics for big revolutions in major powers and how they can be subverted by Napoleon or Lenin types. More possibility for alt-history, maybe less emphasis on being a cement factory construction simulator.
HoI (1914 - 1991) - I think this needs the biggest shot in the arm, giving it a broader focus than just one war. Add light elements of peacetime economics and politics from Vicky. Players should have non-military options and there should be a strong ‘Global Tensions’ mechanic encouraging the formation of strategic or ideological blocs. Really simulate the diplomatic brinkmanship leading to World Wars. Starting on the eve of WW1, Britain and Germany would start at loggerheads. The same mechanics would fit the USA and USSR for Cold War starts.
That’s how I would set up the grand strategy offering, anyway.
