Crusader Kings II

[LongBlade]

Thanks for the welcome, guys!  SoccerDJ put me on your trail.   :)  I really like what you guys are doing with this site.  Best of luck!

Thanks. We just published our first article on the front page: http://grogheads.com/articles/aar-shogun2.html

Just make sure feedback about it goes into the Feedback board so it doesn't get lost/fragmented: http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?board=18.0

[TheCommandTent]

Thanks for the welcome, guys!  SoccerDJ put me on your trail.   :)  I really like what you guys are doing with this site.  Best of luck!

Glad you made it over, as you can see I've slimmed down my online handle.  I wasn't quite ready for a complete break, then nobody would know who I was.

[LongBlade]

Glad you made it over, as you can see I've slimmed down my online handle.  I wasn't quite ready for a complete break, then nobody would know who I was.

If you want to change it, LMK. It's not difficult for me to do.

And you can always put an "aka SoccerDJ" in your footer. I've seen guys do that before.

Of course, they get ridiculed heavily for doing it, but that up to you ;)

[RooksBailey]

Interesting post on the development of CK2 over at Paradox:

Crusader Kings II - Post Mortem Dev Diary

Found this interesting.  What was cut:

So what did we cut from Crusader Kings II? Basically, this:

    A medieval style chronicle with annual entries
    Trade post holdings built by the republics (Venice, Genoa, etc)
    Hiring ships from the great republics
    Relics that can be found, looted, and used to build cathedrals
    Loads of very rare narrative events (like "The Gates of Hell") with multi-generational effects
    A viceroy/drots/great seneschal council position for each kingdom held
    Cadet branches of dynasties
    Adventures - younger sons raising an army and going off to conquer something on their own

But what is planned as DLC and patching:

So, what are we planning for the future? Crusader Kings II will have many major DLC packs that are actually more like small expansions. Every time we release a major DLC, we will also release a major free content patch. I cannot say exactly when we will be adding what, but here are some things you can expect for free in the coming months:

    Enhanced, more focused Crusades with a "contribution" score
    Causes of Death
    Asking to join an ongoing war
    Lots of more plots and ambitions
    Events, events, and more events
    Improved GUI where it's needed the most (plots, marriages)
    Flexible de jure liege structure
    More de jure kingdoms

Sounds good!  I am particularly glad to hear about causes of death.  I hate it when people just drop dead for no apparent reason.  >:(

[TheCommandTent]

Glad you made it over, as you can see I've slimmed down my online handle.  I wasn't quite ready for a complete break, then nobody would know who I was.

If you want to change it, LMK. It's not difficult for me to do.

And you can always put an "aka SoccerDJ" in your footer. I've seen guys do that before.

Of course, they get ridiculed heavily for doing it, but that up to you ;)

Thanks but I am good I wanted to go with something totally different for this forum but I couldn't come up with anything good so I just shortened my existing name. 

[republic]

Crusader Kings 2 is better than watching a drama series on TV.  Here is what has happened tonight.

I began as Isleifur Duke of Iceland. I had one son, and neither of us had a wife. I was 62 years old, I assume mine died. As soon as the game starts I arrange for my son to marry a Hungarian princess. Putting him in the line of succession in Hungary, and gaining him much prestige by marrying up.

Then I arranged for myself to marry a French Duke's daughter.

My son has a daughter.

I died of old age.  I (now as my son) name my daughter as heir, to become Dutchess of Iceland. A few weeks later, it is discovered that my dad's widow was with child when he died!

I name my wife as chief spymaster, because it was her life's ambition and she was quite skilled.  My daughter the heir is old enough to be tutored. I choose to tutor her myself.

My daughter gains several positive traits under my tootlage. A few years later my wife (the spymaster) discovers my dads widow plots to kill our daughter so that my sister born after my fathers death can be the heir!

This game is good fun  :)  And is going well as I just happen to be reading the Game of Thrones series

[RooksBailey]

Crusader Kings 2 is better than watching a drama series on TV.  Here is what has happened tonight.

I began as Isleifur Duke of Iceland. I had one son, and neither of us had a wife. I was 62 years old, I assume mine died. As soon as the game starts I arrange for my son to marry a Hungarian princess. Putting him in the line of succession in Hungary, and gaining him much prestige by marrying up.

Then I arranged for myself to marry a French Duke's daughter.

My son has a daughter.

I died of old age.  I (now as my son) name my daughter as heir, to become Dutchess of Iceland. A few weeks later, it is discovered that my dad's widow was with child when he died!

I name my wife as chief spymaster, because it was her life's ambition and she was quite skilled.  My daughter the heir is old enough to be tutored. I choose to tutor her myself.

My daughter gains several positive traits under my tootlage. A few years later my wife (the spymaster) discovers my dads widow plots to kill our daughter so that my sister born after my fathers death can be the heir!

What is so amazing is that stories like this are common!  I've been chronicling my game here (albeit, I have stopped for the moment because of my distraction with the Sins beta  :) ) and am amazed at the various turn of events when I go back and re-read it.  Like I wrote in my review, Paradox has reminded me just what PC gaming can be all about.  Skyrim might be getting all the attention, but I think Crusader Kings 2 deserves the same red carpet treatment. 

BTW:  just to update my campaign:  King Archibald had a 10 year reign where he extended Scottish territory quite a bit.  Then he suddenly fell ill and died.  Since he had no sons (but six! daughters), his brother, who was a councilor to a Norwegian princess (I deliberately married him off to the Norwegians to get him out of Scotland as he was always after the throne  ;D) rushed back to Scotland and took the throne.  Because he was a brother and not a son, my southern vassals rebelled, as well as my brother's daughter (i.e., my niece) who demanded 1/2 of my domain.  As I was so busy with my rebelling vassals - there were so many that but for help from some mercenaries, I would have most likely lost the throne  - I agreed to give my niece what she wanted...but this isn't over yet.  >:(  Now I have the rebellion just about under control, with two of the ring leaders in prison (one will surely be executed as an example).  I found it amusing that the first rebel, after losing two battles, immediately asked for a white peace even though the war was just getting started.  I agreed naturally, because it let me take on the other two or three rebels.  Long short - the guy that started the rebellion bailed out at the first opportunity, leaving the other two to take the blame.   ;D  I admired that...albeit, once things quiet down, my men are going to be knocking on his door anyway. 

What an incredible game.  And it is only going to get better with that Paradox has planned.

This game is good fun  :)  And is going well as I just happen to be reading the Game of Thrones series

Critical mass!  ;)

[Martok]

Damn it, you guys are doing nothing for my willpower.  I'm holding on by my fingernails here... 

[son_of_montfort]

Damn it, you guys are doing nothing for my willpower.  I'm holding on by my fingernails here...

Seriously though... if you are talking grand strategy games, I would say Crusader Kings II is the best I've ever played. And it is probably one of my top 10 games of all time. Not to give away the crux of my upcoming review.  ;)

Oh... and the Gamersgate version does not require Steam. So... if you can get over your need for a physical CD... it's a no-brainer.

[Nefaro]

Damn it, you guys are doing nothing for my willpower.  I'm holding on by my fingernails here...

Only a matter of time, now!

8)

[Queeg]

Seriously though... if you are talking grand strategy games, I would say Crusader Kings II is the best I've ever played.

I agree.  It's in the same league as Civ 4.  It's really a great game. 

[jomni]

I don't consider CKII as grand strategy.

[son_of_montfort]

I don't consider CKII as grand strategy.

?? Ok. What do you consider it?

It is mainly a dynastic simulation. But the strategy is pretty grand!

[jomni]

Role playing. Lol! 

[son_of_montfort]

Actually, that is probably true.