Weekly Update #164

Editor's Note

Progress continues on the paper. I hope to post an interview with Sidewise judge and Uchronia contributor Evelyn C. Leeper this week. She is one of the founders of our community and I think you guys will enjoy learning more about her. I also got a lot of good chatter from the 1632 and Ill Bethisad communities, but there is a lot of data and people I need to talk to. My outline just keeps getting longer and longer, especially after I added a whole section on podcasting.

Which is good, because I do hope to release a longer version of the paper I am working on if it is well-received. I may try finding a publisher for it or self-publish if I am not successful. If I do self-publish, I will likely crowd-fund it so I can make it as professional as possible. Wish me luck!

And now the news...

Art of War Expansion for Europa Universalis IV Arrives October 30

Paradox Interactive last week announced that Art of War, the newest and apparently largest expansion for Europa Universalis IV, will be available on October 30, 2014. This, the fourth expansion to be released for Europa Universalis IV, adds a vast array of changes to the game at the fundamental level, including a dramatic overhaul to the game map itself.

To mark this announcement, Paradox has a new video dev diary, where Martin Anward who is Project Lead for Europa Universalis IV explains the diplomatic options, the new powers of rebels and other notable changes available to players:

Inspired by the passion and tragedy of the Thirty Years War, Art of War brings the military aspects of Europa Universalis IV into high relief. Although if you really want a fun look at the Thirty Years War, I recommend Eric Flint's 1632, but get the e-book version which is still free on Amazon.

Movie Trailer Makeover: Bloody Pit of Horror

Just one more video to share. The guy who does the voice for Honest Trailers also has his own YouTube channel and I think you may like his version of the trailer for Bloody Pit of Horror:

Fun fact: the main villain from that film makes an appearance in Newman's Dracula Cha Cha Cha (review).

Links to the Multiverse

Books and Short Fiction

The 10 Types of Fictional Apocalypses (And What They Mean) by Charlie Jane Anders at io9.
Cover & Synopsis: THE IRON ASSASSIN by Ed Greenwood at SF Signal.
Dangerous Women: “Virgins” (Excerpt) by Diana Gabaldon at Tor.
Discover a new book…that’s not so new: a list of my all time favorite reads at My Bookish Ways.
Eric Flint on ebook accessibility – Prime Palaver #1 – December, 2000 at The Passive Voice.
Here’s a Sneak Peek at THE STEAMPUNK USER’S MANUAL by Jeff VanderMeer and Desirina Boskovich at SF Signal.
Review: 11/22/63 by Stephen King at Vice.
Review: Altered Pasts by Richard J. Evans at The Counterfactual History Review.
Review: The Clockwork Dagger by Beth Cato at SF Signal.
Review: The Golden Princess by SM Stirling at A.M. Dellamonica – Words and Pictures.

Comics

John Scalzi Wins at the Filthy, Hilarious Night of Watchmen Erotica from ShipwreckNY by Natalie Zutter at Tor.

Counterfactuals, History and News

Bosnia and Herzegovina: the world's most complicated system of government? by Alberto Nardelli , Denis Dzidic and Elvira Jukic at The Guardian.
The Cuban Army Abroad – Fidel Castro’s Forgotten Cold Warriors at Military History Now.
Today's Most Depressing Counterfactual: Sam Harris on Saddam Hussein by Gavriel Rosenfeld at The Counterfactual History Review.
The Toxic Politics of Ebola by Peter Tinti at Foreign Policy.
What if the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 never happened? by Robert Loerzel at Curious City.
Why History Should Replace Economics in the 21st Century by Annalee Newitz at io9.

Film and Television

Fail-Safe was a flop, but it’s much smarter about nuclear war than Dr. Strangelove by Ari N. Schulman at Slate.
How Robin Might Have Looked In Tim Burton's Aborted Third Batman Film by Lauren Davis at io9.
PICTORIAL: Chinatown transformed at Northwest Asian Weekly.
Review: Doctor Who, S8, E7: Kill the Moon at Geek Syndicate.
Review: Space Station 76 at Amazing Stories.
We Came This Close to a Doctor Who Musical by Chris Lough at Tor.
A world without Sherlock Holmes -- 1881 - 1883 by Brad Keefauver at Sherlock Peoria.

Games

Review: Ryse: Son of Rome at PC Gamer.

Interviews

RS Belcher at The Qwillery.
Tina Connolly at Tor.
Alison Morton at jaffareadstoo....

Podcasts

Dissecting Worlds: Series 9, Episode 1: Bond! at Geek Syndicate.
The SF Signal Podcast (Episode 262): A Special Panel Discussing Urban Fantasy at SF Signal.
Show 15 (Blitz) – Hiroshima at Twilight Histories.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.