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Europa Universalis

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This article is about the video game. For the board game of the same name that the game is based on, see Europa Universalis (board game). For other uses, see Universalis (disambiguation).
Europa Universalis
Developer(s)Paradox Development Studio
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Henrik Strandberg
Designer(s)Johan Andersson
Klas Berndal
Henrik Strandberg
Philippe Thibaut
Programmer(s)Johan Andersson
Artist(s)Daniel Nygren
EngineEuropa Engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • GER: October 20, 2000[1]
  • SWE: December 15, 2000
  • NA: February 21, 2001[2]
  • UK: March 2, 2001[3]
  • AU: December 14, 2001
Genre(s)Grand strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Europa Universalis is a grand strategy video game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published in 2000 by Strategy First.

Development

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The game was originally based on a French board game of the same name by Philippe Thibaut that was released in 1993.[4][5] To facilitate the new game, a new proprietary software engine, known as the Europa Engine, was developed.[6] The game went gold on January 23, 2001.[7]

Gameplay

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Europa Universalis is a historically accurate real-time strategy game; it recreates 300 years of history from the Age of Discovery in 1492 to Napoleon's rise to power in 1792.[7]

The game lets the player take control of one of seven European nations (others are available in different scenarios) from 1492 to 1792, expanding its power through military might, diplomacy, and colonial wealth. The game takes place on a two-dimensional map divided into approximately 1,500 provinces, and proceeds in a pausable real time format.[8] Part of the presented world is invisible for the player (terra incognita) – it is however possible to explore individual provinces.[9]

The player directs one of the eight European powers available in the scenario and represents the individual historical rulers. They change over time according to historical realities and have different skills that translate into the development of the country. For example, John III Sobieski has high military skills in the game and Suleiman the Magnificent is a character with high administrative skills.[9] The game features a number of historical events, such as the Reformation, the Treaty of Tordesillas and the uprising in the Netherlands, which have a significant impact on the game.[10]

The player can take care of technological development in their own country by allocating part of the budget to research. Technological progress is linear and consists in reaching higher and higher levels of technology in four areas: army, navy, infrastructure and trade. With progressive development, the player gains new capabilities, such as improved units. It is also possible to increase spending to maintain stability in the state or to abandon all subsidies to increase the state treasury[9] at the expense of rising inflation.[11]

Rebellions of the population can be a problem for internal development. Rebellions occur when there are differences between the state religion and the religion followed in a province (there are several different faiths and religions in the game), taxation of the population through the establishment of a tax collector's office, or as a result of game-activated events. Rebels can even secede from the state and declare independence.[9] Therefore, the stability system plays an important role in the game, which determines the risk of rebellion in the provinces, as well as the speed of city development and the amount of taxes collected.[12]

A special element of the game is the colonisation of uninhabited territories. The player, using conquistadors (in the case of land forces) and explorers (for sea forces) has the possibility to discover new provinces and thanks to the settlers can settle the chosen territory.[9]

Reception

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The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[13] John Lee of NextGen said, "A full-bodied simulation of European turmoil and global expansion between the 15th and 18th centuries, Europa Universalis isn't all that original, but if historic realism is your passion, you'll like what you see."[21] Computer Games Strategy Plus gave the game universal acclaim while it was still in development in Europe.[14]

The staff of Computer Games Magazine nominated the game for "Strategy Game of the Year" at the 11th Annual Computer Games Awards,[24] which went to Civilization III.[25]

Sequels

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Europa Universalis was the first in the series, followed by Europa Universalis II, Europa Universalis III, Europa Universalis: Rome and Europa Universalis IV.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Europa Universalis Releases". MobyGames. Atari SA. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (February 21, 2001). "Europa Universalis ships". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 2, 2001. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Bye, John "Gestalt" (February 5, 2001). "Conquer Europe". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Europa Universalis". Board Game Geek. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Bossom, Andy; Dunning, Ben (December 17, 2015). Video Games: An Introduction to the Industry. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 140. ISBN 978-1-4725-6715-4.
  6. ^ "Games - Europa Engine". ModDB. March 13, 2000. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Europa Universalis Goes Gold". Strategy First. January 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 23, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, Fraser (December 24, 2018). "The history of the strategy game". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e Geryk, Bruce (December 22, 2000). "Europa Univeralis Preview". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 4, 2001. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  10. ^ Europa Universalis User manual - p. 33-34.
  11. ^ Europa Universalis User Manual - p. 64-65
  12. ^ Wojnarowicz, Jakub (April 30, 2001). "Europa Universalis Review (Page 4)". Firing Squad. FS Media, Inc. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Europa Universalis". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Lieb, Steve (October 6, 2000). "Europa Universalis [EU Import]". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005.
  15. ^ Geryk, Bruce (June 2001). "Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (Europa Universalis Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 203. Ziff Davis. p. 88. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Sonnic, Christian (March 16, 2001). "Test : Europa Universalis : puristes only". Gamekult (in French). TF1 Group. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  17. ^ Parker, Sam (March 19, 2001). "Europa Universalis Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Butts, Steve (March 20, 2001). "Europa Universalis". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  19. ^ pilou (June 28, 2001). "Test: Europa Universalis". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  20. ^ Arctor, Bob (July–August 2001). "Europa Universalis". Joystick (in French). No. 128. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. pp. 146–48.
  21. ^ a b Lee, John (April 2001). "Europa Universalis". NextGen. No. 76. Imagine Media. p. 90. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  22. ^ Stepnik, March (March 2002). "Europa Universalis". PC PowerPlay. No. 71. Next Media Pty Ltd. pp. 64–65. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Scotford, Laurence (April 2001). "Europa Universalis". PC Zone. No. 101. Dennis Publishing. p. 70. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  24. ^ CGM staff (January 17, 2002). "CGM announces finalists for 'The Year's Best' (Page 4)". Computer Games Magazine. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2002. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  25. ^ CGM staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine. No. 136. theGlobe.com. pp. 50–56.
  26. ^ "Europa Universalis IV". Paradox Plaza. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
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