Europa Universalis IV

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This article is timeless and should be accurate for any version of the game.

EU4 icon.png Europa Universalis IV
EU4 banner.jpg
Type
Release date / Patch
2013-08-13 / 1.1
Store: Base game
"Warfare": Thomas Johansson, EU4's project lead, on the subject of conducting diplomacy with (very) sharp sticks in a series of video diaries leading to the release.

Europa Universalis IV (abbreviated EU4 or EUIV) is a grand strategy computer game created by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. It was released for the PC on Windows, OS X, and Linux on 13 August 2013.

Much of the game's setting is based in the historical era of initial European exploration and colonization of the New World. The game opens at the tail end of the Hundred Years' War and the decline of the Byzantine Empire and continues through to the revolutionary periods of the United States and France, and concludes a few years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Players assume control of a nation, seeking glory through exploration, trade, warfare, and diplomacy, dramatically altering the course of history in the process.

The 4X genre[edit | edit source]

EU4 is within the "4X" genre of games, because it permits a player to 'eXplore,' 'eXpand,' 'eXploit' and 'eXterminate.' Players can choose to play single-player mode versus the AI, or multiplayer over a LAN or the Internet against a mix of human and AI opponents.

  • Exploration is dealt with by the use of terra incognita covering much of the world at game start. Players must hire explorers and conquistadors to travel into the unknown parts of the world. Or, after sufficient time has past, world geography may be revealed as common knowledge through events.
  • Expansion is dealt with through a few different mechanics. Players may diplomatically gain territory, which can lead to the inheritance of an entire country. They may also militarily conquer territory through warfare. Revolts of nearby provinces can also add territory to your nation if you share a common cause, such as having the same culture as the revolutionaries. Lastly, territory can also be gained as part of a program of colonization.
  • Exploitation of the world is accomplished mostly through the management of your national economy and the control of international trade. Players can also make exploits through the use of espionage.
  • Extermination, a euphemism for warfare, can be conducted on both land and sea. Land armies and naval fleets can engage in battles, led by generals and admirals. The successful conduct of a war is measured through war score. Upon reaching a certain threshold in war score, the loser can sue for peace or the winner may be able to impose their own peace terms, which may include outright conquest and annexation.

Game features[edit | edit source]

  • Take your own decisions: Nation building is flexible: decide your own form of government, the structure of your society, trade politics and more. The possibilities are endless.
  • Use your Monarch Power: Experience the new system of monarch power where your spread of choices is influenced by the caliber of the man you have at the top. Do you have a warrior King? Then it is time to make war.
  • Experience history coming to life: The great people and personalities of the past are on hand to support you. Thousands of historical events guide you, with unique different flavor depending on the country you play. Have more than a thousand historical leaders and over 4000 historical Monarchs at your disposal.
  • The world is now your playground: Players can enjoy over 300 years of gameplay in a lush topographic map in full 3D. Lead any one of more than 250 countries that originally existed during the game's extensive time span.
  • Experience the all new trade system: The trade system adds a new dimension to the great trade empires of the period. Seize control of key ports to expand your trade, support it with your powerful fleet and the wealth of the world will flow to you.
  • Bring out your diplomatic skills: Deeper diplomatic gameplay, with coalitions, threats, fleet basing rights and detailed support for rebels. Introducing unilateral opinions, a country may dislike you, but you can be neutral towards them.
  • Engage in Multiplayer: Battle against your friends or try co-operative multiplayer mode that allows several players to work together to control a single nation for up to 32 players. Featuring hotjoin, improved chat, new matchmaking server and support for a standalone server.
  • Create your own history & customize your game: Europa Universalis IV gives you the chance to customize and mod practically anything your heart may desire.
  • New Score system to allow comparison across multiple games.

Scenarios[edit | edit source]

Paradox chose 12 important dates in history as starting points (called "scenarios" or "bookmarks") for campaigns. The first four scenarios are set during the same date, and each scenario description is simply meant to add flavour to specific areas of the world. Players are also free to chose any date in the historical period covered as their own launching point for a game.

Game history[edit | edit source]

Technical information[edit | edit source]

The game was developed on the Clausewitz 2.5 Engine, which it shares in common with Crusader Kings II. It is available for both Microsoft Windows PCs, Macintosh OS X and Linux operating systems.

System requirements[edit | edit source]

As taken from the EU4 manual. In most cases, the "minimum system requirements" are the same as the "recommended system requirements" except as noted below.

Microsoft Windows

  • Versions: Windows 7/Windows 8 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel® Pentium® IV 2.4 GHz or AMD 3500+
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Hard disk space: 2 GB HD Space
  • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce 8800 or ATI Radeon® X1900, 1024mb video memory recommended (512mb video memory required minimum)
  • Sound Card: Direct X-compatible soundcard
  • DirectX®: 9.0c
  • Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers
  • Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer
  • Multiplayer: Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode

Macintosh OS X

  • Versions: Mac OS X 10.12 or better
  • Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor (2 GHz or better)
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Hard disk space: 2 GB
  • Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 6750 / NVIDIA GeForce 320 / NVIDIA GeForce 9600 or higher, 1024MB graphics memory required.
  • Additional: GLSL 1.3, OpenGL 2.1
  • Controller support: "3-button mouse," keyboard and speakers
  • Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer
  • Multiplayer: Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode

Linux

  • Versions: Ubuntu 16.04 64 bits
  • Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor (2 GHz or better)
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Hard disk space: 2 GB
  • Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 6750 / NVIDIA GeForce 320 / NVIDIA GeForce 9600 or higher, 1024MB graphics memory required.
  • Additional: GLSL 1.3, OpenGL 2.1
  • Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers
  • Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection or LAN for multiplayer
  • Multiplayer: Up to 32 other players in multiplayer mode

Dev diaries[edit | edit source]

Main article: Developer diaries

All developer diaries about Europa Universalis IV (base game).

Europa Universalis IV
No. Title and Link Description Date
0 Our Vision Design goals 2012-08-31
1 The world is at your feet Map of the world: interface consideration for province shapes, projection, colors, terrain, seasons, and others 2012-09-07
2 The purge & all cards on the table Purging outdated systems and new design ideas 2012-09-14
3 Your envoys are awaiting your orders! Envoys: diplomats, missionaries, merchants and colonists 2012-09-21
4 Your Economy is about to change Income, expenses, stability, no "minting" (as in EUIII), Loans 2012-09-28
N/A The 3 tiers... Discussion of the different tiers of countries, and a listing of which countries fall into each tier; the tier of the country determines the amount of developer focus on national events, features and mechanics 2012-10-03
5 The Return of the Kings Rulers, monarchs and power, heirs, advisors 2012-10-04
6 Do you have any idea about it? Idea groups, national ideas, and ideas interface 2012-10-12
7 And did those feet in ancient time.... England and dynamic historical events: War of the Roses and English Civil War, War of Captain Jenkin's Ear and The Muscovy Trade Company; plus national ideas, missions and decisions 2012-10-19
8 With God on Your Side? Religion: unique abilities for Catholic, Orthodox, Sunni & Shia, religious unity now visible, and new religion interface 2012-10-26
9 It's a rich man's world... Trade system: trade nodes, merchants, trade power, trade mission, supply and demand, trade efficiency, trade range, trade steering, trade income, and mercantilism 2012-11-02
10 It all belongs to Mother Russia... Russia: strategic possibilities, dynamic historical events (Time of Troubles, Grand Embassy for westernization), missions and decisions, national ideas; army tradition and navy tradition changes 2012-11-09
11 The Cost & Reward for Technology Technology investment and cost, administrative, diplomatic and military technologies defined; along with a related video developer diary 2012-11-16
12 Dominium Maris Baltici Sweden: strategic possibilities, dynamic historical events (The Dacke Feud and French Wars of Religion), missions, decisions, national ideas; plus stability changes from EU3 2012-11-23
13 FREEEDOM! Rebels, their causes and mitigation: stability, government types, war exhaustion, and overextension 2012-11-30
14 Nobody expects the... Spain: strategic possibilities, events, missions, decisions, and national ideas; plus details on cultural conversion. 2012-12-07
15 Et tu Brute? Milan: strategic possibilities, dynamic historical events (Ambrosian Republic, national ideas, and republican tradition as an analogous mechanism for legitimacy for monarchies 2012-12-14
16 Vive la France! France: strategic possibilities, national missions, decisions and ideas; also brief notes on harsh treatment to curtail revolts and army morale recovery. 2013-01-11
17 Honey, don't you want to talk about it? Diplomacy: new diplomatic interface, opinions and rivals 2013-01-18
18 Sail away with me! Portugal: events, missions, decisions, ideas, and a detail on colonization 2013-01-25
18 Part II - Colonisation Clarification Colonization 2013-01-26
19 War has never been so much fun... Shattering armies, disorganization, combat interface, combat width, flanking, supply limits, attrition, manpower, reinforcement changes, maintenance cost increases. Plus a video: the World Map Trailer. 2013-02-08
20 A Tale of Two Cities The republics of Venice, Genoa, and a link to a video interview of Thomas "Besuchov" Johansson, project lead at Europa Universalis IV. 2013-02-15
21 Leaders & Mercenaries Land units, naval units, leaders, mercenaries; plus a link to an article at Strategy Informer: Paradox Hands-On Special: Master Class 2013-03-01
22 A.E.I.O.U Austria: strategic possibilities, dynamic historical events (The Italian Wars, Privilegium Maius), missions, decisions and national ideas; plus Holy Roman Empire improvements (diplomacy, reforms, elections and wars within the empire) 2013-03-08
23 Tell me sweet little lies... Coalitions, relations (improve relations and insults, overextension and coring provinces. 2013-03-15
24 Heir of Rome Ottoman Empire: strategic possibilities, events (including a series of events for the provincial system and the Janissaries), national ideas; plus a feature on Westernization 2013-03-22
25 Anna Karenina Wargoals, peace options, peace interface; plus April Fool's: "EUIV, The Musical!" (songs to download and a video) 2013-04-05
26 A smoke and a pancake? A look at Burgundy and the Low Countries 2013-04-11
27 An offer you can't refuse Spy ideas and diplomatic covert actions: fabricate claim, infiltrate administration, sow discontent, sabotage reputation, support rebels, and changes to rebels 2013-04-18
28 A Kinderegg! Three in one! Scotland, The Hansa, and the Reformation 2013-04-26
29 For the Horde! Province interface and the Hordes of Central Asia: Steppe Nomad government type, separate technology group, automatic casus belli against neighbors, 50% damage modifier for fighting on plains and grasslands terrain and, aside from the Timurids, a set of national ideas; video link to the call to arms 2013-05-03
30 Four more countries and even more... The Mamelukes, Persia, Timurids, Oman; video link to the call to arms 2013-05-10
31 A Point of Honor Japan: Daimyos and the Shogunate, unification, events, ideas, and a discussion of the new scoring system; plus links to the call to arms and to download the songs of the EU4 musical 2013-05-17
32 The more the merrier! Multiplayer changes, including new networking code, hotjoining, matchmaking, standalone servers, improved chat, and AI takeover (of players who drop out); there is also a video link to the "EUIV musical" "Casus Belli" 2013-05-24
33 Go East! Ming China: The Mandate of Heaven, faction system, national events and ideas; plus debts and loans; link to the Casus Belli music video 2013-05-31
34 Unit interfaces and more Changes to unitview, and the need for military power (MP) for special actions:; also a note on forced march and Berber culture national ideas 2013-06-07
35 Alt for Norge! Denmark, Norway, and a brief look at sieges 2013-06-14
36 Hot States in the Holy Roman Empire Quick look at the start positions and national ideas of Brandenburg, Bavaria, and Bohemia 2013-06-20
37 Aragon, Naples and Korea National ideas for Aragon, Naples and Korea 2013-06-28
38 Ayutthaya, Viyanagar & Muslim Sultanates A look at the national ideas major powers in the Indian subcontinent: Ayutthaya, Viyanagar, and the Indian Sultanates 2013-07-05
39 Divine Tactics Fleet basing rights, enforce peace, and Christian Theocracies 2013-07-12
40 What is our mission? Missions, decisions, achievements and Ironman mode. Plus links to the initial videos of an England game play-through by Quill18 2013-07-19
41 What we all waited for! National ideas of central Europe: Poland, Lithuania, Hungary 2013-07-26
42 The Crusader Kings II Converter Article and video developer diary of how the Europa Universalis 4 Save Converter DLC will work; plus saved games will be brought in as a mod 2013-07-31
43 Artificially Improved Changes to the Artificial Intelligence (AI), detailing how it makes decisions based on its attitudes for alliances and coalitions, and how it handles its armies in wartime; there is also a brief look at how AI difficulty and handicapping can be set 2013-08-01
44 Newbie Friendly Describes changes to the ledger, hints system, production interface, tutorial 2013-08-01
45 A very small development diary Demo will be released by the end of the week (10 August 2013); the game will be released on 13 August 2013 at 9 AM Eastern Standard Time (3 PM Swedish time) 2013-08-05

References[edit | edit source]

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