Only one suggestion for EU5

[Aldaron]

If we are totally honest, there is no way we can make everyone happy with whatever projection is chosen for any of our projects.

The reason is very easy, it is not possible to make a perfect representation of a globe over a 2D map. When drawing maps, there are usually three factors taken in consideration: area, shape and angle. Each projection has certain proportions for each of these three factors and no projection can have all of them at 1. This means that whatever projection you draw, there will be either areas that are represented as smaller or bigger than in reality,; shapes that are distorted; or angles that are moved.

The combinations of there factors receive names as conformal (shapes and angles are preserved, but not areas); equal area (which keeps areas true but can deform shapes and change angles); equidistant (which preserves the distance between two points); azimuthal (all directions are true from a certain point of the map) and compromise (where it only tries to keep a beautiful map).

What I am trying to say is that 2D does not allow a true representation of our planet in 2D without giving up some details that might be important for some of our players.

And of course, the globe option (3D) brings another bunch of challenges to the table.

Hopefully this brings some light to the topic and the community can give us a chance for future releases.

 

[Aldaron]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: 4D Hypercube. Closest projection to the actual shape of the Earth during the time period.

Why stop at 4D?

 

[Aldaron]

@Aldaron Yes, this question needs an answer from the dev team please

As says, pretty much:

While I'm not the dev team, I'd say it isn't a question of being possible, it's a question of game style. None of the Paradox GSGs have a 3D map, it's a legacy of the board games origin of EU4, and changing to a 3D map in the games would be a departure from tradition.

It is not a matter of technical difficulties. Heck, I remember games in the 90's that had globes. It is more related to gameplay.

Personally, I would love to have a globe for the map, but 1) it is not my call, 2) there are gameplay issues that are more valued.

I know that many of my messages are about "how things are" and are disappointing, but it is what it is.

 

[Aldaron]

While there is no "true" 2D representation, certain projections are traditionally used for representation of certain parts of the globe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_map_projections. In theory it would be nice if players could select projection they are more accustomed with, or that fits better the region they are playing in now.

However, convertion of coordinates between different projections can be one hell of a work.

It is. It would also require the engine to convert everything to that new projection for little gain.

All I can say is that newer projects should (and hopefully will) have better, more consistent, projections. A projection menu, though, is out of consideration for the reason I wrote before.