New Paradox Expansion Turns Its Eye on East Asia

STOCKHOLM - 2 March 2017 - Dynasties come and dynasties go, but China is eternal. An unbroken chain stretches through the millennia, and now this mantle lies on your shoulders. Rest secure in the Forbidden City, husbanding your power for the storms you know are coming. Your neighbors will kowtow and bring tribute to your palace. Does anyone dare challenge you, the heir to the Mandate of Heaven?

Mandate of Heaven is the newest expansion to Europa Universalis IV, the renowned historical grand-strategy game from Paradox Development Studio. Mandate of Heaven enhances the game experience for playing the major nations of East Asia, especially Ming China, Japan, and the Manchu tribes.

One of the centerpieces of Mandate of Heaven is managing the Celestial Empire, similar to how the Holy Roman Empire has been handled in Europa Universalis IV. Increase the power of your mandate by commanding tribute, then use your mandate to reform the imperial system, strengthening your grip on the Middle Kingdom and the continent as a whole. Embrace the meritocracy of China’s civil service to pass decrees that meet your empire’s immediate needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ijdgWnd2Yo

Mandate of Heaven’s features include:

• Ages and Golden Eras: Earn perks in four historical ages for meeting specific goals, building up to declaring your nation’s single Golden Era - 50 years of prosperity and power.
  
• Meritocracy: The Chinese emperor can hire good advisors more cheaply, keeping the empire functional no matter who rules.
  
• Tributaries: Some Asian nations can demand that weaker powers pay an annual tribute, whether in gold, manpower or monarch points.
  
• Manchu Banners: Manchu provinces can provide cheap and effective Banner armies drawn from the traditional tribe system.
  
• Japanese Shogunate: Compel the loyalty of your daimyos with new interactions that require them to submit to your authority, contribute to your power or even commit seppuku
  
• Diplomatic Macrobuilder: Common diplomatic actions are now easily available from the macrobuilder interface.
  
• New Events and Decisions: Most of these new systems are connected to new event series or decisions, bringing you even deeper into the past

Mandate of Heaven will also ship alongside new Content Packs fitting the theme of the expansion, with new unit designs for many of the East Asian powers and other updated army models.

Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven will be available soon on Steam and at the Paradox Store.

New Paradox Expansion Turns Its Eye on East Asia

STOCKHOLM - 2 March 2017 - Dynasties come and dynasties go, but China is eternal. An unbroken chain stretches through the millennia, and now this mantle lies on your shoulders. Rest secure in the Forbidden City, husbanding your power for the storms you know are coming. Your neighbors will kowtow and bring tribute to your palace. Does anyone dare challenge you, the heir to the Mandate of Heaven?

Mandate of Heaven is the newest expansion to Europa Universalis IV, the renowned historical grand-strategy game from Paradox Development Studio. Mandate of Heaven enhances the game experience for playing the major nations of East Asia, especially Ming China, Japan, and the Manchu tribes.

One of the centerpieces of Mandate of Heaven is managing the Celestial Empire, similar to how the Holy Roman Empire has been handled in Europa Universalis IV. Increase the power of your mandate by commanding tribute, then use your mandate to reform the imperial system, strengthening your grip on the Middle Kingdom and the continent as a whole. Embrace the meritocracy of China’s civil service to pass decrees that meet your empire’s immediate needs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ijdgWnd2Yo

Mandate of Heaven’s features include:

• Ages and Golden Eras: Earn perks in four historical ages for meeting specific goals, building up to declaring your nation’s single Golden Era - 50 years of prosperity and power.
  
• Meritocracy: The Chinese emperor can hire good advisors more cheaply, keeping the empire functional no matter who rules.
  
• Tributaries: Some Asian nations can demand that weaker powers pay an annual tribute, whether in gold, manpower or monarch points.
  
• Manchu Banners: Manchu provinces can provide cheap and effective Banner armies drawn from the traditional tribe system.
  
• Japanese Shogunate: Compel the loyalty of your daimyos with new interactions that require them to submit to your authority, contribute to your power or even commit seppuku
  
• Diplomatic Macrobuilder: Common diplomatic actions are now easily available from the macrobuilder interface.
  
• New Events and Decisions: Most of these new systems are connected to new event series or decisions, bringing you even deeper into the past

Mandate of Heaven will also ship alongside new Content Packs fitting the theme of the expansion, with new unit designs for many of the East Asian powers and other updated army models.

Europa Universalis IV: Mandate of Heaven will be available soon on Steam and at the Paradox Store.

Good day everyone, Tuesday spells for us a new EU4 Development Diary and while certain members are away enjoying the high life at GDC, it falls to me to bring you today's juicy serving of new mechanics.

As teased last week, we shall look closer at the Empire of China, a new concept in the upcoming expansion. In 1444, Ming is busy being the top dog in Asia and indeed the world, but they were not the first to claim Mandate over China and certainly not the last. We are not even one hundred years from the total collapse of the Yuan domination of china and only two hundred years shy of the successor nation Qing.

An important goal for us is to bring new play experiences across the world. Previously as a nation in East Asia, one would generally wait for Ming to crumble to rebellions, usually from loss of the Mandate of Heaven modifier (or a lot of horses and a good shock phase), and then pick up the pieces from this "Mingsplosion" or playing as Ming, simply do everything in your power to avoid falling into aforementioned deadly Spiral. This isn't quite how we would like East Asia to play out. We wish to bring the whole experience to life In the upcoming expansion, as the Empire of China is now a title that is fought for!



Where to begin? Our glorious Ming Starts in 1444 with the Celestial throne with a moderate Mandate value. Mandate will grow over time supposing stability is high, States are prosperous and you have an extensive collection of Tributaries. Protect it well, since it will have a large effect on how well your nation will function: Provincial devastation and bordering nations who are not your Tributary or otherwise bending their knee to you will cause Mandate to suffer. At Maximum mandate, The emperor of China will enjoy unrest reduction and cheaper stability cost. Conversely, as Mandate goes down below 50, you will find your troops performing worse and your provinces producing fewer goods, as the people you supposedly rule over with Divine grace back you less and less.

Mandate can be used to pass Celestial Reforms. Not unlike the Holy roman Empire, The Emperor of China must foster the growth of their mandate and spent it to gain some fantastic bonuses. Each Reform can be taken at 80+ Mandate, each will reduce Mandate by 50 and Stability by 1.

• Introduce Gaituguiliu
  
  • +0.5 Meritocracy
• Reform Seaban
  
  • +1 Diplomats
    
  • +5% trade Efficiency
• Delegate Zongdu
  
  • -0.05 Monthly autonomy
• Establish Lifan Yuan
  
  • -10% Core creation Cost
• Reshape Beurocratic Ranks
  
  • +1 Monarch Admin Power

Additionally, hawk-eyed readers will have spotted a new Hat in the top bar. Celestial Emperors do not use the Legitimacy values since they are all obviously legit. The Emperor instead has unique access to Meritocracy. This will naturally degrade every year but increases by having skilled advisors in your court. It is then spent on the 6 Decrees, also uniquely available to the Emperor of China.

• Expand Palace Bureaucracy
  
  • -10% Development cost
    
  • -10% core Creation Cost
• Conduct Population Census
  
  • +25% National Tax
• Promote Naval Officers
  
  • +20% ship durability
• Increase Tariff Control
  
  • +25% Provincial trade Power
• Improve Defense Effort
  
  • +25% Fort Defense
• Boost the Officer Corps
  
  • +10% Infantry Combat Ability

Each Decree lasts for 10 years, costs 20 Meritocracy and, of course, all values are subject to balance up until release, but that's par for the course.

So life is good for the Ming the Celestial Emperor. China is theirs, their tribute flows in regularly and they pass reforms and decrees as they see fit. Well, no single Empire lasts forever.



The Celestial throne is there for any Pagan or Eastern Religion nation to secure for themselves. In practice, The Northern Hordes, the Japanese, the Koreans and the Buddhists are all in with a fair shot at securing the title for themselves and have access to a new Casus Belli: Take Mandate of Heaven. Land is cheaper to take in this war. Far cheaper, and it will allow the attacker to secure the Throne for themselves. When this happens, all previous reforms are wiped and the new ruler will start with moderate Mandate themselves. After all, there is only one China and all history from before did not exist. The new Emperor of China will have to quickly establish themselves with their own tributaries and bring Prosperity to the people of China to avoid the fate of their disposed Predecessor. The failed old Emperor of China shall be subjected to the Lost Mandate of Heaven modifier in addition to losing their Empire of China modifiers. Better take care of them, before they collect themselves and put their mind to reclaiming their old throne.

The successful claimant will also enjoy permanent claim on all of China to help consolidate their new power, as our Dai Viet player Ihki was putting to great effect.



Best of luck with your fight to secure the Mandate for yourself. We'll be back next week to talk about another new feature which has our team lamenting any moment that they have to play without it. See you then!

Read the original post

Useful links
Official Website
Europa Universalis IV Wiki
Europa Universalis IV Development Diary Archive

Good day everyone, Tuesday spells for us a new EU4 Development Diary and while certain members are away enjoying the high life at GDC, it falls to me to bring you today's juicy serving of new mechanics.

As teased last week, we shall look closer at the Empire of China, a new concept in the upcoming expansion. In 1444, Ming is busy being the top dog in Asia and indeed the world, but they were not the first to claim Mandate over China and certainly not the last. We are not even one hundred years from the total collapse of the Yuan domination of china and only two hundred years shy of the successor nation Qing.

An important goal for us is to bring new play experiences across the world. Previously as a nation in East Asia, one would generally wait for Ming to crumble to rebellions, usually from loss of the Mandate of Heaven modifier (or a lot of horses and a good shock phase), and then pick up the pieces from this "Mingsplosion" or playing as Ming, simply do everything in your power to avoid falling into aforementioned deadly Spiral. This isn't quite how we would like East Asia to play out. We wish to bring the whole experience to life In the upcoming expansion, as the Empire of China is now a title that is fought for!



Where to begin? Our glorious Ming Starts in 1444 with the Celestial throne with a moderate Mandate value. Mandate will grow over time supposing stability is high, States are prosperous and you have an extensive collection of Tributaries. Protect it well, since it will have a large effect on how well your nation will function: Provincial devastation and bordering nations who are not your Tributary or otherwise bending their knee to you will cause Mandate to suffer. At Maximum mandate, The emperor of China will enjoy unrest reduction and cheaper stability cost. Conversely, as Mandate goes down below 50, you will find your troops performing worse and your provinces producing fewer goods, as the people you supposedly rule over with Divine grace back you less and less.

Mandate can be used to pass Celestial Reforms. Not unlike the Holy roman Empire, The Emperor of China must foster the growth of their mandate and spent it to gain some fantastic bonuses. Each Reform can be taken at 80+ Mandate, each will reduce Mandate by 50 and Stability by 1.

• Introduce Gaituguiliu
  
  • +0.5 Meritocracy
• Reform Seaban
  
  • +1 Diplomats
    
  • +5% trade Efficiency
• Delegate Zongdu
  
  • -0.05 Monthly autonomy
• Establish Lifan Yuan
  
  • -10% Core creation Cost
• Reshape Beurocratic Ranks
  
  • +1 Monarch Admin Power

Additionally, hawk-eyed readers will have spotted a new Hat in the top bar. Celestial Emperors do not use the Legitimacy values since they are all obviously legit. The Emperor instead has unique access to Meritocracy. This will naturally degrade every year but increases by having skilled advisors in your court. It is then spent on the 6 Decrees, also uniquely available to the Emperor of China.

• Expand Palace Bureaucracy
  
  • -10% Development cost
    
  • -10% core Creation Cost
• Conduct Population Census
  
  • +25% National Tax
• Promote Naval Officers
  
  • +20% ship durability
• Increase Tariff Control
  
  • +25% Provincial trade Power
• Improve Defense Effort
  
  • +25% Fort Defense
• Boost the Officer Corps
  
  • +10% Infantry Combat Ability

Each Decree lasts for 10 years, costs 20 Meritocracy and, of course, all values are subject to balance up until release, but that's par for the course.

So life is good for the Ming the Celestial Emperor. China is theirs, their tribute flows in regularly and they pass reforms and decrees as they see fit. Well, no single Empire lasts forever.



The Celestial throne is there for any Pagan or Eastern Religion nation to secure for themselves. In practice, The Northern Hordes, the Japanese, the Koreans and the Buddhists are all in with a fair shot at securing the title for themselves and have access to a new Casus Belli: Take Mandate of Heaven. Land is cheaper to take in this war. Far cheaper, and it will allow the attacker to secure the Throne for themselves. When this happens, all previous reforms are wiped and the new ruler will start with moderate Mandate themselves. After all, there is only one China and all history from before did not exist. The new Emperor of China will have to quickly establish themselves with their own tributaries and bring Prosperity to the people of China to avoid the fate of their disposed Predecessor. The failed old Emperor of China shall be subjected to the Lost Mandate of Heaven modifier in addition to losing their Empire of China modifiers. Better take care of them, before they collect themselves and put their mind to reclaiming their old throne.

The successful claimant will also enjoy permanent claim on all of China to help consolidate their new power, as our Dai Viet player Ihki was putting to great effect.



Best of luck with your fight to secure the Mandate for yourself. We'll be back next week to talk about another new feature which has our team lamenting any moment that they have to play without it. See you then!

Read the original post

Useful links
Official Website
Europa Universalis IV Wiki
Europa Universalis IV Development Diary Archive

Salutations!

As was announced last week, Monk and Mystics will be released on March 7th. Which is only a week away! If you haven’t already, mark the date in your calendars. But to make the wait easier for you, I thought I’d share the details of the accompanying Content Pack.

The Monks and Mystics Content Pack includes two sets of portraits (which you may have seen already in the CK2 Monday Streams), along with fitting Unit Packs. First is the German Portraits. While named German, they will apply to the entire Central Germanic culture group.


The German Unit Pack:


Next up is the English Portraits. Since English is only present in the later bookmarks of the game, we made the portraits also apply for Normans, to make sure that you can play with them without having to start very late.


And the English Unit Pack:


An important note is that the Content Pack will be bundled with Monks and Mystics and automatically included when you buy the expansion.

I’ll also provide you with the remainder of the changelog that I didn’t give you in the dev diary of last week. There are a few AI improvements in there, to accompany the new AI Orders, along with a huge list of new modding stuff for all the new features and mechanics. And of course, the usual bug fixing.

Read the Changelog here! (it's too big for Steam)

Useful links
Official Website
Crusader Kings II Wiki
Crusader Kings II Development Diary Archive

Salutations!

As was announced last week, Monk and Mystics will be released on March 7th. Which is only a week away! If you haven’t already, mark the date in your calendars. But to make the wait easier for you, I thought I’d share the details of the accompanying Content Pack.

The Monks and Mystics Content Pack includes two sets of portraits (which you may have seen already in the CK2 Monday Streams), along with fitting Unit Packs. First is the German Portraits. While named German, they will apply to the entire Central Germanic culture group.


The German Unit Pack:


Next up is the English Portraits. Since English is only present in the later bookmarks of the game, we made the portraits also apply for Normans, to make sure that you can play with them without having to start very late.


And the English Unit Pack:


An important note is that the Content Pack will be bundled with Monks and Mystics and automatically included when you buy the expansion.

I’ll also provide you with the remainder of the changelog that I didn’t give you in the dev diary of last week. There are a few AI improvements in there, to accompany the new AI Orders, along with a huge list of new modding stuff for all the new features and mechanics. And of course, the usual bug fixing.

Read the Changelog here! (it's too big for Steam)

Useful links
Official Website
Crusader Kings II Wiki
Crusader Kings II Development Diary Archive

Paradox Calls You to Take the Orders on March 7

STOCKHOLM – 23 February 2017 – Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio have set a release date for the newest expansion to its celebrated medieval role-playing grand strategy game. Crusader Kings II: Monks & Mystics will be leaving the abbey on March 7, 2017 and will be found at Steam and the Paradox Store for $14.99/€14.99.

Monks & Mystics expands the religious side of Crusader Kings II, letting characters join monastic orders, forbidden death cults and even worship Satan in the search for greater power. Perform great charitable acts or feats of infamy as you climb the ranks of your chosen religious community.

Crusader Kings Game Director, Henrik Fåhraeus, talks us through some insights into this latest expansion via a brand new video Developer Diary below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri1TOhK6syw

Features of Monks & Mystics include:

• Monastic Orders: Join the Benedictines, Dominicans or other monastic society and increase your prestige while doing homage to God.
  
• Secret Religious Societies: Hold a secret faith in your heart and slowly increase your religion’s power, climbing from discouraged minority to official faith.
  
• Devil Worship and Alchemy: Join those who perform Black Masses and dark crimes, or use your intelligence to seek out the hidden mysteries of the universe
  
• Treasury and Relics: Collect religious relics of the saints to raise your status and increase your power, or craft masterworks of weapons or jewelry that increase your prestige and prowess
  
• New Councilor Actions: Even councilors that aren’t active in your realm will be using their skills to increase the wealth and stability of your kingdom
  
• And much more

Monks & Mystics is the first expansion to be released for Crusader Kings II since it celebrated its 5th anniversary this month.

Paradox Calls You to Take the Orders on March 7

STOCKHOLM – 23 February 2017 – Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studio have set a release date for the newest expansion to its celebrated medieval role-playing grand strategy game. Crusader Kings II: Monks & Mystics will be leaving the abbey on March 7, 2017 and will be found at Steam and the Paradox Store for $14.99/€14.99.

Monks & Mystics expands the religious side of Crusader Kings II, letting characters join monastic orders, forbidden death cults and even worship Satan in the search for greater power. Perform great charitable acts or feats of infamy as you climb the ranks of your chosen religious community.

Crusader Kings Game Director, Henrik Fåhraeus, talks us through some insights into this latest expansion via a brand new video Developer Diary below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri1TOhK6syw

Features of Monks & Mystics include:

• Monastic Orders: Join the Benedictines, Dominicans or other monastic society and increase your prestige while doing homage to God.
  
• Secret Religious Societies: Hold a secret faith in your heart and slowly increase your religion’s power, climbing from discouraged minority to official faith.
  
• Devil Worship and Alchemy: Join those who perform Black Masses and dark crimes, or use your intelligence to seek out the hidden mysteries of the universe
  
• Treasury and Relics: Collect religious relics of the saints to raise your status and increase your power, or craft masterworks of weapons or jewelry that increase your prestige and prowess
  
• New Councilor Actions: Even councilors that aren’t active in your realm will be using their skills to increase the wealth and stability of your kingdom
  
• And much more

Monks & Mystics is the first expansion to be released for Crusader Kings II since it celebrated its 5th anniversary this month.