Weekly Update #247: Hearts of Iron IV Gets First Major Patch

Editor's Note

So a lot happened in the last two weeks since my last Weekly Update. Please humor me while I go through it all.

First up, WE GOT 1 MILLION PAGE VIEWS. It still feels good to say that and I get a little tingle every time I go to my blog's dashboard and see those seven figures. Everything else pretty much pales in comparison, but waiting for the page count to tick over is a passive project. While waiting I interviewed one of my favorite authors, Jack Campbell (a.k.a. John G. Hemry) for SFFWorld. I even got a DeviantArt profile so I can share some of my map and flag posts/videos with that community.

I have also been busy as usual writing for this blog. If you haven't looked at any of those article already, I can recommend several of them such as Weekly Update #246, where I showcased some of the books that I will be reading in September. Plus you may want to check out my Map Monday articles where I featured "The Day After the World of Tomorrows"​ by Rvbomally and "Causae Deus - Climate of (Deglaciated) Antarctica" by Gian.

We also had a couple of new guest posters to the blog. Michael J. Martinez (MJ-12: Inception) made his debut on the The Update discussing how to write about sexism in racism in historical fantasy and newcomer Theo Taylor gave us two guest posts featuring President Washington's third term and a scenario where Alexander the Great drives farther into India.

I'll end this Editor's Note by congratulating Naomi Novik for winning the first ever Dragon Award for Alternate History. In the meantime, why not show some support to Novik and The Update by purchasing League of Dragons or any other new alternate history release through our Amazon banner?

And now the news...

Hearts of Iron IV Gets First Major Patch

Paradox Development Studios released the first major update for its World War II grand strategy game, Hearts of Iron IV. The “Sunflower Patch” is largely devoted to improving the game’s AI and user interface, as well as the usual changes to the game's balance and historical database, plus a number of bug fixes.

You can read the full list of changes and updates on the official Paradox Community forum here, but here is a brief list of the highlights from the press release:

• Changes to how peace conferences are handled, based on a design by Steam user Neutrino
• Hotjoin now available for multiplayer games, so you can connect to a match already in progress
• Custom difficulty settings let you adjust the relative power of Germany, Italy, France and the Soviet Union
• More nations can now be released as independent countries
• Re-sync button added to address connection issues without rehosting the game
• AI more likely to update templates, build nuclear reactors and cancel unnecessary production
• AI less likely to risk encirclement, opt for a Communist France or throw everything at North Africa
• Naval combat has been balanced to prevent light cruiser spam
• Changes to national territorial cores (Portugal loses, Sinkiang gains)
• A number of crashes caused by modding have been fixed
• Submarines better at finding surface ships, worse at finding other subs

Video of the Week

If I were you I would watch Tamara's new review of Back to the Future II:

I especially liked how she gave the figurative middle finger to some of the assholes in her comment section. Next up you should also check out some of my videos, like "What if 9/11 Didn't Happen"?

And "The Alternate History Map That Ended Up In A History Textbook":

I enjoyed this one, just because its fun to rag on major corporations who forget to fact check.

You should also check out...

• Tor lists the year's best alternate history books (so far).
• Hundreds of thousands of Catalans stage independence protests (via The Guardian).
• Ship found in Arctic 168 years after doomed Northwest Passage attempt (via The Guardian).
• Mexico threatens to cancel treaty that ceded Texas and California to US if Trump gets elected (via Raw Story).
• 30 Years Later, Watchmen's Unacknowledged Optimism Persists (via Paste). 
• Underground Airlines is one of the bleakest alternate histories ever (via Ars Technica).

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger for Amazing Stories, a volunteer interviewer for SFFWorld and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not exploring alternate timelines he enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, DeviantArt and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Flag Friday: Concept Flags for Hearts of Iron 4 by Rock

I've been bad about doing Flag Friday, but I got a nice back log of flags to cover now so I should never be hurting for content in the future. With that being said, lets look at some flags.

These are "Concept Flags for Hearts of Iron 4" (a name I made up because one wasn't given) by Rock. For those who don't know, Hearts of Iron is a grand strategy game series from Paradox where you control the fate of a nation during the time of World War II. I played both the first and second installments a lot, until my career and this blog meant I had less time to commit to it. To be fair I was a bigger Total War fan, but I still enjoyed the games Paradox  produced.

There really isn't a story behind these flags. Rock makes it clear he made them for fun, but I still think they are well designed flags, with a different one for each form of government the three nations have. The fact that he went with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, however, deserves to be noticed. So many alternate historians spend so much time in Europe or North America, that its nice to see someone get creative with another part of the world. Kudos.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger for Amazing Stories, a volunteer interviewer for SFFWorld and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not exploring alternate timelines he enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Weekly Update #234! Paradox Uses Alternate History in New Hearts of Iron IV Trailer (and more)

Weekly Update

Every time I think of turning in my gun and badge (ever alternate historian has those, right?) something happens that keeps me in the game. The next few months should be fun. I got a lot of interesting things coming up including new videos for the channel and some recognizable names doing guest posts on the blog. I got some awesome interviews line up with SFFWorld and I got plenty of books to review for Amazing Stories. It is going to be a great summer and I hope you guys join me for the ride.

And now the news...

Paradox Embraces Alternate History in New Hearts of Iron IV Trailer

Hang around alternate historians long enough and you will probably here about the grand strategy games produced by Paradox. Last week they announced the start of the pre-order for Hearts of Iron IV, the latest grand strategy game about World War II. The great thing about these games is that you get to decide the fate of the nation you control and thus can alter history as you play.

To Paradox's credit, they know this and work this into how they market their games. For example, check out their new trailer which posits a Japanese attack on a heretofore triumphant Soviet Union:



I got to admit that video had some amazing visuals, but that is not the only way they are promoting how you can change history. Apparently, every pre-order comes with additional rewards such as the Hearts of Iron: War Stories Gamebook. According to the press release, this is a "branching interactive narrative where the player’s choices matter. War Stories is written by Aaron Rosenburg and features a young British RAF pilot during the Battle of Britain."

I'm just glad to see Paradox going all in on promoting the alternate history nature of their game. If you want to learn more, don't forget to check out the Hearts of Iron website.

Video of the Week

Since we talked about World War II, lets keep it going by looking at what would happen if Hitler was killed during Operation Valkyrie:

Doing a scenario was fun. I may do more of those in the future in between videos discussing the genre in general.

You should also check out...

• All the news about Battlefield 1, which may not be an alternate history, but it could still be the best WWI game according to Robert Whitaker of History Respawned. Considering that prediction, its surprising to learn that EA initially rejected the setting according to PC Gamer.
• The top 10 steampunk films according to Seen On, which may be covered by the steampunk documentary Vintage Tomorrows. It was announced last week on Variety that Samuel Goldwyn Films acquired worldwide rights to the documentary, so expect me to watch and comment on it in the future.
• The fact that most of the Assassin's Creed film will be mostly set in the modern day according to Birth Movies Death...because that is what people are most interested in when they play those games. Seriously, why is it so hard to make a decent video game movie?
• Timeless, NBC's new time travel drama (via io9).

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger for Amazing Stories, a volunteer interviewer for SFFWorld and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not exploring alternate timelines he enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Map Monday: Kaiserreich 1936 by Milites

Kaiserreich is a community mod for the Paradox grand strategy game, Darkest Hour: A Hearts of Iron Game. Its set in a world where Germany won World War I and you play as one of the many different nations in this alternate timeline starting in 1936. It is a fairly popular mod and it has gotten noticed by the online alternate history community. It is not unusual to see maps based on the scenario, such as this one by Milites:

This map shows the status of Europe following the victory by the Central Powers. You can already tell by looking that the former states of the Entente have seen better days (see the Northern Ireland-less Union of Britain), while Germany wields extensive powers thanks to their control of Mitteleuropa. The map itself is well-done. So many other maps of Kairserreich are just screenshots of the game, while you can see that Milites put more effort into his creation. Since I haven't played the mod I can't comment on any liberties Milites took in creating his map, but it looks good to me and I like the rumpled feel of the map, which makes it look like a real piece of paper.

World War I alternate histories may not be as popular as its sequel, but I like the imagination that went into the map and I am glad to see people like Milites being inspired by a community made mod to create as well.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger on Amazing Stories and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Paradox Brings Some Common Sense to Europa Universalis IV on June 9th

Paradox announced a new expansion pack today that is named after Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense, which inspired the people of the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from Britain. Paradox’s "Common Sense", which will be available on June 9th, will give Europa Universalis IV players new tools to manage the growth of their domains.

According to the press release, the most significant modification in "Common Sense" is the new provincial development system. Building space in a province is now limited by its terrain and Development Value. The more developed a province is, the greater wealth and power you can squeeze out of it. By spending monarch points, you can now customize your trading hubs or make great recruiting centers. Fewer, more powerful buildings means that every decision about construction has greater importance.

Check out the teaser trailer for more information:

Other major features include:

• Parliaments: The English crown and other constitutional systems of government can now use their flexible system to pass laws through parliaments
• National Churches: Protestant kingdoms can customize their new faith and make it a true partner to the throne.
• New Religious Systems: Buddhism and Protestantism both get fresh coats of faith-based paint
• New Options For Subject States: Once just tiny money faucets, recent expansions have made vassals and colonial nations more useful. Common Sense gives you new tools to exploit them or keep them in line
• Government Ranks: As you invest in the development of your nation, you can climb from a small duchy to a major empire, unlocking new benefits.
• New Government mechanics: Theocracies will have new actions and mechanics to highlight their unique character, and the Holy Roman Empire can create Free Cities

"Common Sense" will also be accompanied by a host of free updates and improvements - including some significant changes to the map of Europe.

As always, if you pick up a copy of "Common Sense", let us know at The Update what you thought about it.

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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.

Paradox Celebrates International Women’s Day With DLC

An cool announcement from Paradox caught my attention. They are doing something unique to celebrate International Women's Day.

As they put it: ?[t]he pages of history books are filled with the stories of great men – but also great women: artists, authors, councilors, and rulers. Would Tenochtitlan have fallen without the language skills of Malinche guiding Cortez? Had the reign of Edward IV not been cut short by illness, would England have still ruled the seas, deprived of the strong hand of Elizabeth I?"

I certainly like the what if potential those questions provide, but the gamers who follow The Update will probably be even happier to learn that a free update for Europa Universalis IV is now available today that adds 100 great women of history to the game. Each character can be generated through event triggers (a weak regency, a colonial empire, certain ideas, etc.). Players will then have choices about how to use these talented women. Some may join your court as advisers, while other might be more suitable for riskier employment as rulers or leaders.

Thomas Johansson, the head of Paradox Development Studio, says that this DLC does something important for the company’s flagship title. "It's no surprise that the role of women in history isn't as well known as that of men,” Johansson says. “Europa Universalis, admittedly, hasn't done a lot to foreground their contributions. We thought that International Women's Day was the best time to do a little bit to help balance the scales and introduce our audience to some very interesting people."

The Women’s History DLC is free for all Europa Universalis IV players today and you can view the full changelog here. I for one applaud Paradox for not just showcasing the contributions of women to history, but also bringing important and empowering women to the attention of gamers everywhere.

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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.

Weekly Update #180

Editor's Note

So I was at Capricon this weekend and to be honest, it was kind of a disappointment. I wasn't interested in the panels that were offered and attendance at the panels I was on, even from the panelists, was low. O well, maybe it will be better next year.

And now the news...

Preview: The Diabolical Miss Hyde: An Electric Empire Novel by Viola Carr

A new book that is making the Internet rounds is Viola Carr's The Diabolical Miss Hyde. Here is the description from Amazon:

Forensic science, magic, mystery, and romance mix in this edgy steampunk fantasy—a retelling of the horror classic, in which Dr. Eliza Jekyll, daughter of the infamous Dr. Henry Jekyll—pursues a dangerous murderer in an alternate Victorian London.

In an electrified Victorian London, Dr. Eliza Jekyll is a crime scene investigator, hunting killers with newfangled technological gadgets. She will need every advantage available to catch a terrifying new psychopath splattering London with blood. Hidden in the grimy shadows, the fiendish murderer preys on beautiful women, drugging them before slicing off their limbs. Finding the “Slicer” can make Eliza’s career . . . or unmask her darkest secret. Like her father, she has a hidden second self that emerges when she drinks his forbidden magical elixir. Just a few sips, and a seductive and impulsive Lizzie Hyde is unleashed.

The members of the Royal Society do not trust Eliza, and they send their enforcer, the mercurial Captain Lafayette, to prove she’s a dangerous sorceress. The careful doctor knows that one wrong step can make her prey to the clever Lafayette, a man who harbors an evil curse of his own. No matter how much she craves the elixir, she must resist.

But as the Slicer case draws her into London’s luminous magical underworld, Eliza will need the potion’s power to help her . . . even if it might attract the attentions of Lafayette. .

Even if it means setting the wild Lizzie free. . . .

Carr has been doing a lot of promotion for her new novel. At SF Signal she wrote a guest post discussing magic and science and she stopped by The Qwillery to give an interview. If you happen to check out The Diabolical Miss Hyde, let us know what you thought in the comments.

Crusader Kings II Celebrates Its Three Year Anniversary

This weekend, Paradox Development Studio is marking the third anniversary of its medieval grand strategy game Crusader Kings II. Since its release in February 2012, Crusader Kings II has sold 1.1 million copies of the base game and over 2.5 million copies of its various expansions. If you include the cosmetic DLC for sale, that adds up to over 8 million add-ons for the base game. Over the last year of its lifetime, Crusader Kings II is still averaging over a hundred thousand monthly active users on Steam. Paradox also released this infographic of the game's history:

“We continue to be overwhelmed by the popularity of Crusader Kings II,” says lead designer Henrik Fahraeus. “For many thousands of people, this is their first Paradox game, and people continue to tell us about the rise and fall of their dynasties and empires. Our games at PDS have always been about stories, but Crusader Kings II gives you characters sometimes doing petty things on a grand stage. I think people like that.”

To celebrate this anniversary, Paradox is offering a week’s worth of special discounts on a selection of Crusader Kings II related products at the official webstore and select partners.

Videos for Alternate Historians

We end the week as usual with some more alternate history videos. We begin with this video with Book Riot which recommends several books to read for Black History Month:

And we end with Kinda Funny checking out the the alternate history of The Order: 1886:

Links to the Multiverse

Amazon's The Man in the High Castle

Frank Spotnitz Builds His 'High Castle' With Amazon's Best Pilot at Star Pulse.
Frank Spotnitz Talks The Man In The High Castle & More at TV Wise.

Books & Short Fiction

Coming Soon: IRON AND BLOOD by Gail Z. Martin and Larry Martin at SF Signal.
Genre Fiction Honored by the Alex and Stonewall Book Awards and the RUSA Reading List at Tor.
Leanna Renee Hieber (ETERNA FILES) on Why She Writes Gaslamp Fantasy at SF Signal.
Review: Cannonbridge by Jonathan Barnes at My Bookish Ways.
Review: The Plot Against America by Philip Roth at Robbie Taylor(.net).
The Vivisectionist’s Daughter by Jason Kahn – Free Story from Alt Hist Issue 7 at Alt Hist.
War in the Atomic Age? by Mark at Atomic Skies.
What if? Alternative history’s butterfly moments reach lift-off by Adrian McKinty at The Guardian.
Why I Love/Hate the Emberverse by Matthew Stienberg at The M.

Counterfactuals, History & News

Alternate histories of the automotive industry by Kelly Taylor at Winnipeg Free Press.
Ask John Neely Bryan: A Counterfactual History of Oak Cliff at D Magazine.
The Big Questions Holds Debate On Whether Jesus And Buddha Were Aliens at Huff Post.
If Ken Clarke had won by JC at The Economist.
It's BCB's 10th Birthday Today! Celebrate With This Cubs Alternate History at SB Nation.
Canada's rejected flags: A look at lost voices and strange ideas at The Star.
What Will We Do Without Craig Kilborn? at The Daily Beast.

Film & Television

12 Monkeys 1.5: The Heart of the Matter at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
Banshee 3.6: Perfect What-If Bookends at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
The Original Ending of Birdman Was Completely Different at Slate.
Review: Agent Carter – The Iron Ceiling at Geek Syndicate.

Games

Ironcast Video and Screens Released at Gamers Hell.
Review: Wolfenstein: The New Order at Ramblings of the Easily Distracted.

Interview

Cherie Priest at Q&F Podcast.

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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.

Weekly Update #177

Editor's Note

I was so happy to get one of my two big announcements out of the when I revealed my Capricon 35 schedule. I plan to make the second this week, so stay tuned for some more big news.

Not sure if I talked about this yet, but I am going to be doing something different for the rest of the year. Occasionally I have experimented with "theme" months, but this year I am going to put a little more effort into it. You will learn more about what I am planning later either at the end of the week or next Monday.

And now the news...

What do the critics think of Agent Carter?

I know The Man in the High Castle is still on all of your minds and trust me I didn't forget about it. In fact I made another special link dump for it below under the Links to the Multiverse section. We still don't know when we are going to get a new episode, so if you need your alternate history television fix, why don't you check out Agent Carter?

According to Wikipedia: In 1946, Peggy Carter must balance the routine office work she does for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (S.S.R) while secretly assisting Howard Stark, who finds himself framed for supplying deadly weapons to the top bidder. Carter is assisted by Stark's butler, Edwin Jarvis, to find those responsible and dispose of the weapons.

Now I have always held that the Captain America films and their spin-offs, like Agent Carter, blur the lines of comic book universe and alternate history. Even if it is not a true alternate history, there is no denying it has a dieselpunk aesthetic to it (and if you want some unexpected dieselpunk, go watch The Grand Budapest Hotel). But is it any good?

Well so far the reviews I have seen have been positive. Liz Bourke of Tor said she is in love with the show, but she may be predisposed to liking to show because of her "pro-ladies-hitting-people-with-snappy-dialogue" personality. Meanwhile Vix from Geek Syndicate gave episode three a 4 out of 5 star review and praised the show for being a trailblazer in bringing more female leads to the Marvel universe.

Have you watched Agent Carter yet? Tell us what you think in the comments.

“El Dorado” Expansion for Europa Universalis IV Lets You Go For Gold

Yeah I didn't come up with that title, but I thought it was amusing. Anywho, Paradox Development is bringing the genocide adventure and politics of the Spanish conquest to life with the "El Dorado" expansion for Europa Universalis IV.

This expansion’s historical focus will be on the Central American and South American theaters. According to the press release, you can play "[a]s the Aztecs, [and[ subject the Mexican plain to your rule but make sure you have enough vassal kings to sacrifice to your angry gods. As the Europeans, push deeper into the jungles of the Amazon, following rumors of lost cities and magical fountains. Defer to the Pope as he intervenes to divide the New World among squabbling empires."

The centerpiece mechanic of "El Dorado" is the Nation Designer, a tool that let’s you customize your starting nation in a campaign. You choose your starting capital and neighboring provinces, modify your starting culture and leader and then play as this nation in the game. Sounds like a useful tool when crafting an alternate history scenario.

Learn more by watching the trailer:

Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado will be available on major digital delivery platforms for Windows, Mac and Linux next month.

Videos for Alternate Historians

Its time for some more YouTube videos that bend the borders of reality. We begin with Game Theory's look at the Pokemon multiverse:

Next up, author Gareth L. Powell is interviewed on the Abaddon Solaris channel and man are those some amazing British accents:

By the way, you can also read this text interview with Gareth on Rising Shadow. Speaking of sweet British accents, here is the new trailer for PlayStation's The Order: 1886:

Learn more about the game's plot here and see how violent the game is here. And finally, we end by asking is time travel possible with some of the most seductive British accents Doctor Who can provide:

Links to the Multiverse

Amazon's The Man in the High Castle

Amazon 2015 Pilot Season: THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE Stands Out at TwitchFilm.
Amazon Launches New Pilots at Blastr Magazine.
Amazon's New TV Pilots: 7 Reviews, From Sci-Fi to the Civil War at Yahoo!
Bingeworthy: Amazon Prime wants you to find the next 'Transparent' at The Cap Times.
First Impressions: The Man in the High Castle at Ramblings of the Easily Distracted.
The future of television is here and now at Stuff.co.nz.
The Man in the High Castle: The Amazon pilot all sci-fi fans should watch at The Independent.
‘The Man in the High Castle’ Depicts America Under the Nazis at Medium.
The Man in the High Castle never lets us believe its alternate-history nightmare at The Verge.
The Man in the High Castle on Amazon: Outstanding at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
The Man in the High Castle Recap: Pilot at Movie News Guide.
The Man in the High Castle S1.01 - Pilot Review at GamesRadar.
The Man in the High Castle Shines in Amazon’s Pilot Season at Geek Dad.
The Man in the High Castle: When a Nazi-Run World Isn't So Dystopian at The Atlantic.
Review: Amazon’s new pilot season offers the good, the bad, and one train wreck at GeekWire.
'Salem Rogers,' 'The Man in the High Castle' are the best of Amazon's 2015 pilot season at zap2it.
Two dystopian TV shows to die for at Your Tech Weblog.
Why The Man in the High Castle Is Essential Science Fiction at Den of Geek.

Books and Short Fiction

8 Books From the Last Decade that Made Me Excited About SF  and Fantasy by Jo Walton at Tor.
The 100 best novels: No 70 – Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1949) at The Guardian.
100 Science Fiction and Fantasy and Horror Books to Look Forward to in 2015 (Part 2) at Kirkus.
Adam Rowe on The Most Ridiculous Moon Landings in Science Fiction History at SF Signal.
Book Trailer: The Eterna Files by Leanna Renee Hieber at Tor/Forge Blog.
Brian Staveley, Author of Providence of Fire, on Fictional History and True Stories at SF Signal.
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab (Excerpt) at Tor.
Eight steps to building a fictional world that works by Alison Morton at Writers' Village.
Flashing Steel, Flashing Fire Is Now On Kindle Unlimited at The World According to Quinn.
Review: 11/22/63 by Stephen King at The County Line.
Review: The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter by Rod Duncan at My Bookish Ways.
Review: The Just City by Jo Walton at SF Signal.
Review: Pacific Fire by Greg van Eekhout at Tor.
Review: A Thousand Perfect Things by Kay Kenyon at SF Signal.

Counterfactuals, History and News

Creating a Jewish State in the United States instead of Israel at The Counterfactual History Review.
If It Happened There: The State of the Union by Joshua Keating at Slate.
Oregon Was Founded As a Racist Utopia by Matt Novak at Gizmodo.
Two Years After Apocalyptic Predictions Related To An Obama Presidency, Life Goes On at SPLC.
Why Are the Middle Ages Often Characterized as Dark or Less Civilized? at Slate.
The Winds of Change (Predictions for the 1960s) at Galactic Journey.

Film and Television

9 Reasons you should watch Marco Polo at Hodderscape.
Ascension and alternative histories of the future at Future Fictions.
Discover the Truth Behind Sons of Liberty Series at Journal of the American Revolution.
George Lucas On ‘Star Wars': Disney Didn’t Use My Ideas For New Movies at Deadline.
A History of … The Mummy at Geek Syndicate.
Japan’s Atomic Bomb at Far Future Horizons.
Marco Polo: Netflix's Critical Flop That Dared to Be Diverse by Lenika Cruz at The Atlantic.
Oakwell Hall to appear in Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell at The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
Review: 12 Monkeys at Amazing Stories.
Review: 12 Monkeys 1.2 and 1.3 at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
Review: Elementary 3.11 at Sherlock Peoria.
Review: Space 1999 at The Little Red Reviewer.
Tulsa History Buffs Not Required For 'Drunk History' Casting Call at NewsOn6.com.

Games

Crossing the Streams: Batman and Tarzan at Panels.

Graphic Novels and Comics

Original ‘hit list’ reveals a very different ‘Infinite Crisis’ at Comic Book Resources.

Interviews

Elizabeth Bear at SF Signal.
Cherie Priest at Reddit.
Adam Roberts at Tor.
Thom Trulove at Buzzy Mag.

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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.

New Releases 10/14/14

You can support The Update by clicking the banner to your right or the links below if you are purchasing through Amazon!

Hardcovers

The Accidental Highwayman: Being the Tale of Kit Bristol, His Horse Midnight, a Mysterious Princess, and Sundry Magical Persons Besides by Ben Tripp

The Accidental Highwayman is the first swashbuckling adventure for young adults by talented author and illustrator, Ben Tripp. This thrilling tale of dark magic and true love is the perfect story for fans of William Goldman’s The Princess Bride.

In eighteenth-century England, young Christopher “Kit” Bristol is the unwitting servant of notorious highwayman Whistling Jack. One dark night, Kit finds his master bleeding from a mortal wound, dons the man’s riding cloak to seek help, and changes the course of his life forever. Mistaken for Whistling Jack and on the run from redcoats, Kit is catapulted into a world of magic and wonders he thought the stuff of fairy tales.

Bound by magical law, Kit takes up his master’s quest to rescue a rebellious fairy princess from an arranged marriage to King George III of England. But his task is not an easy one, for Kit must contend with the feisty Princess Morgana, gobling attacks, and a magical map that portends his destiny: as a hanged man upon the gallows….

Fans of classic fairy-tale fantasies such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman and will find much to love in this irresistible YA debut by Ben Tripp, the son of one of America’s most beloved illustrators, Wallace Tripp (Amelia Bedelia). Following in his father’s footsteps, Ben has woven illustrations throughout the story.

“Delightful and charming. A swashbuckling adventure in the vein of Robert Louis Stevenson.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by AS King

In this masterpiece about freedom, feminism, and destiny, Printz Honor author A.S. King tells the epic story of a girl coping with devastating loss at long last--a girl who has no idea that the future needs her, and that the present needs her even more.

Graduating from high school is a time of limitless possibilities--but not for Glory, who has no plan for what's next. Her mother committed suicide when Glory was only four years old, and she's never stopped wondering if she will eventually go the same way...until a transformative night when she begins to experience an astonishing new power to see a person's infinite past and future. From ancient ancestors to many generations forward, Glory is bombarded with visions--and what she sees ahead of her is terrifying: A tyrannical new leader raises an army. Women's rights disappear. A violent second civil war breaks out. And young girls vanish daily, sold off or interned in camps. Glory makes it her mission to record everything she sees, hoping her notes will somehow make a difference. She may not see a future for herself, but she'll do anything to make sure this one doesn't come to pass.

Vango: Between Sky and Earth by Timothee de Fombelle

A breathless adventure from international award winner Timothée de Fombelle charts a desperate search for identity across the vast expanses of Europe.

In a world between wars, a young man on the cusp of taking priestly vows is suddenly made a fugitive. Fleeing the accusations of police who blame him for a murder, as well as more sinister forces with darker intentions, Vango attempts to trace the secrets of his shrouded past and prove his innocence before all is lost. As he crisscrosses the continent via train, boat, and even the Graf Zeppelin airship, his adventures take him from Parisian rooftops to Mediterranean islands to Scottish forests. A mysterious, unforgettable, and romantic protagonist, Vango tells a thrilling story sure to captivate lovers of daring escapades and subversive heroes.

Paperbacks

The Cutting Room: Dark Reflections of the Silver Screen edited by Ellen Datlow

The credits have rolled, but the lights are still off. Something is lurking on the other side of the screen. There are dark secrets, starving monsters, and haunted survivors who refuse to be left on the cutting room floor. But that’s okay, right? After all, everybody loves the movies....

Here are twenty-three terrifying tales, dark reflections of the silver screen from both sides of the camera. James Dean gets a second chance at life—and death. The Wicked Witch is out of Oz, and she's made some very unlucky friends. When God decides reality needs an editor, what—and who—gets cut? These award-winning, bestselling authors will take you to the darkest depths of the theater and beyond.

The Time Roads by Beth Bernobich

From Beth Bernobich, the critically acclaimed author of the River of Souls trilogy, comes The Time Roads, a fantastical 19th century alternate historical steampunk romp.

Éire is one of the most powerful empires in the world. The Anglian Dependencies are a dusty backwater filled with resentful colonial subjects, Europe is a disjointed mess, and many look to Éire for stability and peace. In a series of braided stories, Beth Bernobich has created a tale about the brilliant Éireann scientists who have already bent the laws of nature for Man's benefit. And who now are striving to conquer the nature of time.

Games

Crusader Kings II: Charlemagne by Paradox Interactive

The Father of Europe leads the youngest expansion to Paradox Development Studio’s best-selling grand strategy game, Crusader Kings II. Charlemagne, the newest expansion to Crusader Kings II, is available now worldwide for Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs. This major expansion adds new story events, another hundred years of gameplay and long requested game features to the widely popular grand strategy game of dynastic politics and family rivalry.

As usual, the expansion will be accompanied by a host of free changes to the core Crusader Kings II experience, available in a major update that can be downloaded today. This free content includes a major overhaul to the nomadic tribes of Europe – now they are even more distinct from their neighbors hiding behind castle walls.

"Charlemagne" will introduce Crusader Kings II players to the man who became the “Father of Europe,” uniting much of the continent for the first time since the since the fall of Rome and founding the Holy Roman Empire. Including the ability to start a dynasty as far back as 769 AD, the expansion will include a series of story events surrounding the rise of Charlemagne. The expansion also features game options to allow players to chart their own places in history – such as a new in-game “Chronicle” that highlights a dynasty’s conquests, marriages, and labors for the faith.

To fans, authors and publishers...

Is your story going to be published in time for the next New Releases? Contact us at ahwupdate at gmail dot com.  We are looking for works of alternate history, counterfactual history, steampunk, historical fantasy, time travel or anything that warps history beyond our understanding.

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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.

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.

Interview: Christopher M. Cevasco

As my research on alternate history fandom continued, one name kept cropping up in my searches: Christopher M. Cevasco. Chris was the editor of Paradox, a magazine for historical themed fiction, including alternate history. Thinking it would be remiss not to talk to Chris, I shot him an email and here is what I learned:

Who is Christopher M. Cevasco?

I’m a writer, primarily of historical fiction. The vast majority of what I write is set in late Anglo-Saxon England, but I've also written about Roman Britain, the American Civil War, the 14th-century Black Death, Viking-Era Orkney, and a variety of other times and places. I've also written some fantasy and science fiction. Most of what I write tends to be rather dark in tone. I've had stories published in such venues as Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, and the Prime Books anthologies Shades of Blue and Gray: Ghosts of the Civil War and Zombies: Shambling Through the Ages.

What got you interested in alternate history?

I've been a big history buff for as long as I can remember--since childhood--and I think it’s only natural that we ask ourselves how history might have turned out differently. I’m not sure that there’s any one moment or experience I can point to that sparked my interest in alternate history. But the more I started to realize how even seemingly tiny changes in the way historical events played out could have resulted in vastly different timelines, the more my interest in alternate history grew. I’m sure the fact that I look at history through a writer’s eyes helped stoke this fire, but even among purely scholarly historians, there is a long tradition of posing counterfactuals as a way of deepening our understanding of why and how history played out the way it did.

What was Paradox: The Magazine of Historical and Speculative Fiction?

Paradox was a print magazine that published original short historical fiction in all its forms. This included mainstream historical fiction as well as works of alternate history, historical mysteries, historical fantasy and horror, time travel, Arthurian tales and retold myths. The magazine also featured historically-themed poetry, reviews of historical novels and films, and interviews with notable historical novelists. I launched the magazine in 2003 and published thirteen issues through 2009. During that time, two stories published in Paradox were finalists for the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, one story was recommended for a Nebula Award, and one story won the 2008 WSFA Small Press Award, presented annually by the Washington Science Fiction Association.

What inspired you to create Paradox?

My primary motivation was a perception that there was a gap in the short fiction market. As I mentioned, I myself write mostly historically-themed fiction, and the more purely historical a story I wrote, the harder it was to find markets for it; often even my historical fantasy work came back with a rejection letter indicating that the story was just a little too heavy on the history for the magazine's target audience. If I was experiencing this problem, I figured other writers were too, and that's when I started thinking about creating a magazine to cater to those writers.  I also hoped it would generate interest among readers who enjoy those types of stories. Historical novels abound, but back in 2003, there was no print magazine exclusively dedicated to short historical fiction. The Historical Novel Society was publishing Solander biannually with a single story in each issue, and magazines such as F&SF, Asimov's, Realms of Fantasy, etc. occasionally featured alternate history, historical fantasy, or time travel stories. But Paradox provided the only magazine to which fans of these types of stories could turn for a regularly occurring fix.

Did you receive many alternate history submissions to Paradox?

As far as I recall, I used to receive about a hundred submissions per month, and perhaps 20% of them were alternate history.

Why did Paradox stop being published?

I suppose the reason was twofold. One factor was certainly financial; it was becoming increasingly economically unviable to publish a print magazine. I also decided that the magazine was taking too much time away from my own writing, and it was time for me to focus more on that.

Will we ever see Paradox again?

I certainly remain open to the possibility. Paradox was always, foremost, a labor of love, and the decision to end its run was not an easy decision to make. If I do decide to revive it, though, it would almost certainly be as an online magazine rather than a print one.

What are you reading now?

I just finished reading Nicola Griffith’s wonderful novel, Hild, set in seventh-century Britain; I loved the book’s leisurely pace and the depth with which it brings its historical setting to life. I was particularly struck by how central a role the natural world played in the book.  Nature is something that would certainly have featured more prominently in the lives of men and women living in a pre-industrial age but it’s a factor that is often neglected or underutilized in fiction. Now I’m reading Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, something I've wanted to read for years but never have. I’m enjoying it immensely--it’s dark and funny and filled with so many memorable turns of phrase.

Do you have any current projects you want to talk about?

My current project is a sort of political thriller/murder mystery set in late 10th-century England. For now I’m still in the research and outlining stage, but the book is likely to involve the slaying of Edward the Martyr, the politics of the reign of Aethelred “the Unready”, and the Battle of Maldon. The last two books I wrote were set in the 11th century--one a psychological thriller that explores the legend of Lady Godiva and the other a tale of resistance and rebellion in the years immediately following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Before that, I wrote the first book in a planned alternate history trilogy that posits a different outcome for the events of 1066, one in which Harald Hardrada of Norway comes out on top over both Harold Godwineson and Duke William of Normandy. For now I’ve put that trilogy on the back burner, but I definitely plan to return to it at some point. I’m currently shopping these books around to agents.

I am currently an attorney as were you, what was it like ditching the legal world to be a full-time writer?

It was the best decision I could have made, and I haven’t regretted it for a moment. I was a criminal appeals attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County New York for ten years.  There were aspects of my work I found very rewarding, and I was working with some amazingly talented and dedicated colleagues, but by the end of that decade, I had become very disillusioned with the entire legal profession, and it was time to make a change. I was always more a writer at heart, so all I was really doing was setting myself more firmly on the path I should have been following all along.

Do you have any advice for would be publishers?

I could put my advice in the form of a joke someone once told me... Q: How do you make a small fortune in publishing? A: Start with a large fortune.  But all kidding aside, anyone who’s thinking of starting a publishing venture--specifically a magazine publishing venture, as I did--should disabuse themselves of any notion that it’s going to be a profit-making endeavor. Breaking even, financially, is a more realistic measure of success, and any profit is just icing on the cake. Perhaps the situation is less stark for an online magazine, with which I don’t have direct experience, but for print... such an undertaking has to be a labor of love, first and foremost.