14 DAY TRIAL // The biggest release for Paradox Interactive for 2013 is undoubtedly Europa Universalis IV, the grand strategy title that covers the Middle Ages, and the team is ready to talk about the changes that are coming to warfare.
The detailed developer diary explains the types of units that players will be able to use, both on land and on sea, and how technological evolution will change the face of warfare.
Leaders will also be crucial for success and countries will have to carefully manage them because their costs now put a continuous drain on limited resources.
Johan Andersson, the leader of the development team, states, “The skill of a leader determines how good he is at performing different strategies and tactics in combat. Leader skill is partly related to your nation’s military or naval tradition.”
The system in Europa Universalis IV so far is pretty similar to that seen in the third title in the series, and there are also just small modifications when it comes to naval warfare.
The big change is linked to the mercenary system, which seems designed to get hired swords to have a much bigger impact on the game.
Andresson adds, “Mercenaries fight just as well as regular troops and can be led by your generals and conquistadors if necessary. The best part is that they don't cost any manpower to reinforce, so while they fight and die, you can rebuild your own population for a later war. “
The change might create big advantages for economic powerhouses, which will now be able to translate their monetary reserves into military forces when they need to.
EU IV is also coming complete with an entirely new trade system, which better reflects the realities of the era.
Gamers also get a new point-based system that deals with improvements, advisors, technological advances and leaders.
The game will be launched during fall this year.