I present my interview with Henrik Fåhraeus, the project lead and lead designer of Crusader Kings II. We talked about the game and the upcoming alternate history DLC.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a project lead, programmer and game designer here at Paradox Development Studio; kind of a jack of all trades (you don't want to see my graphics though). I started working for the company way back in 2001 as a scripter on Europa Universalis II, and went on to program and design games - most recently Crusader Kings II.
What is Crusader Kings II about?
Crusader Kings II is about the political machinations of the medieval nobility in the period 1066AD to 1453AD. It is about military conquest, intrigue, diplomacy and other interactions between distinct characters with unique appearances, traits and skills as you try to expand the influence and power of your dynasty, playing a succession of rulers down the ages.
How is Crusader Kings II different from other Paradox games like the Europa Universalis series of games?
In our other games you play a country. Characters, if they exist at all, are of secondary importance. In Crusader Kings II, the situation is reversed. You play a character, and the titles he or she holds (such as the king of England) are of secondary importance. What matters is how much power and prestige you can gain for yourself, your successors, and, to some degree, your dynasty. The characters in the game have distinct personalities and motivations in a way that countries don't. Another difference is the feudal system, where kings are not necessarily more powerful than some of their nominal vassals (i.e. you have a complex and meaningful "internal" game within your realm in addition to the external game between realms/countries).
Do you have any favorite characters?
I have a few favorites I like to play; Stenkil, the king of Sweden in 1066 is interesting because of the pagan north and the likelihood of an early, major civil war. I also quite like the d'Hautevilles of Sicily; the Norman conquerors. They are in a precarious position, but have good opportunities to expand. Then there is the count of Vermandois, also in 1066, who is the last ruler directly descended from Charlemagne (he is of the Karling dynasty.) Also, any of the Jimena kings of Spain (Galicia, Leon, Castille, Navarre and Aragon), they are all dynastically allied and can expand into Andalusia (Muslim Spain.) What inspired you to create the Sunset Invasion DLC?
The Mongol invasion coming in from the east in the mid 13th century makes playing on that side of the map precarious to say the least, whereas the lords of western Europe have little to worry about. We have thought about this imbalance on and off since the original Crusader Kings and jokingly tossed around various ideas for transatlantic invasions; Atlantis, a Norse Vinland empire, deep ones from sunken R'lyeh... and Aztecs. It's also been suggested on our forum, and I think that was what ultimately made us go with it, for a laugh.
What does the DLC add to the game?
It adds a new culture and religion for the Mesoamerican invaders, with associated character portraits, units and on-map shields. The Aztecs (more properly the Mexikha) arrive at some point along the coast of Europe sometime between 1250 and 1350, with a small chance of them never appearing (though you can, of course, disable the DLC if you want to avoid the invasion.) There is a first probe, where their explorers make contact with local lords. Then, soon after, a huge fleet arrives, disgorging an army to rival that of the Mongol Hordes. Once they have arrived, they will conquer lands indiscriminately until they run out of steam and their initial armies. Meanwhile, there are various flavor events adding to the immersion for players (e.g. the spread of a new disease, news from across the ocean, or the fall of significant cities, like Rome).
How did the Aztecs get the technology to invade Europe?
It is implied that technological advances have progressed at a faster pace in the Americas than they did historically, at least for the Incas and the Mesoamericans. It is also implied that Norse explorers were captured by the Aztecs, giving them knowledge of Europe and its technology.
Will horses play a role in the Aztec conquest of Europe?
Not really. The Aztecs have no horses when they arrive, but they are aware of their existence and are not frightened by them. If they manage to conquer some European holdings - which is very likely - they will be able to raise some horse levies of their own.
Do the Aztecs have immunity to Old World diseases?
Yes, we did not want to take this too far, but we did toy with the idea of a Hollywood-esque ending to the invasion, where they all basically died of European diseases. However, they are only as susceptible to disease as anyone else.
Very War of the Worlds. Do you have any other alternate history DLCs planned?
No. Sunset Invasion is pretty much a one off; part joke and part gameplay variant. If it is favorably received we might consider other scenarios, but our focus on actual history has not changed.
Editor's Note Wow. Eighty updates already? It has been a good run.
I am happy to announce that Jake Schenberg will be volunteering as a junior editor, or "editing elve" as he likes to call himself. He will be helping me by proofing some of our posts before they go live. For those who do not know, Jake is a student and aspiring writer who introduced himself to the readers of AH Weekly Update with Alternative Elections: 1844. Check it out and leave some comments.
This week we have a couple of reviews and an interview (see below). Sadly I will not be posting anything this Thursday due to Thanksgiving.
And now the news...
Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion Released
A dark cloud looms over Western Europe and peculiar ships appear on the horizon as Paradox Interactive have released Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion, the latest DLC for critically-acclaimed strategy RPG Crusader Kings II and first alternate history scenario ever introduced to a Paradox Interactive strategy game.
Featuring a treasure trove of new features that would make Montezuma himself jealous, Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion pits the European dynasties against the brutal conquering force of the ferocious Aztec civilization and they aren't here to trade chocolate!
Descending on the shores of Europe like a plague, the bloodthirsty foes bring with them exotic and deadly disease as well as a craving to massacre everyone in their path. Endurance will be stretched to the limit in order to evade being captured and having your innards dished up as a sacrifice to their greedy and vindictive gods.
Want to learn more? Stay tuned for me interview with project lead and lead designer Henrik Fåhraeus this Wednesday.
Lies my teacher told me: Robots of the Russian Revolution Oops. Apparently those responsible for educating our children about history have zero knowledge of Photoshop. Here is the photo that should have appeared on an Australian history exam:
Storming the Winter palace on 25th October 1917 by Nikolai Kochergin
And here is the photo that actually appeared:
Holy crap! No wonder the communists won.
That is a mech from the popular SF franchise BattleTech. Apparently whoever put the test together used Google Image search when looking for the actual painting. Turns out this is not the first time the test maker has had problems like this. Last year the exam body was accused of plagiarism and breach of copyright.
Thankfully, we Americans know the proper way to use Google.
I would suggest you dust off that manuscript, but my guess is any manuscript you created is more likely on your hard drive than on your bookshelf.
This week the dead rise in Sword & Zombie: Volume 1 edited by David Bain. This anthology features "medieval, fantasy and sword and sorcery stories prominently featuring zombies." There is no official deadline (open until full) and word count is 3500+.
Those academics among us should check out this press release from LoneStarCon 3, next years WorldCon. They are looking for papers on science fiction and fantasy genres, but steampunk, Old West/frontier themes and Spanish language SF is also appreciated. Deadline is Dec 31st, but you need to be going to the convention to submit a paper.
New Releases Paperbacks Never Was, Nor Ever Will Be by Vaughn Stranger
I love writing alternate history stories. Several of those included in this collection are set in pasts that never happened. Others are set in futures that events have made unreachable.
The Battle of Lepanto left the Ottoman Empire's navy in ruins. Although Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha has overseen the replacement of every lost ship, he fears economic trends are against the Empire. Seeking an advantage over his Latin foes, the pasha seeks knowledge man was not meant to have, a quest that brings him face to face with the Great Old Ones...
"Out of Time" by Jamie Sedgwick
Millions of years in the future, a lonely and old time traveler scrawls the last few pages in his journal. As he writes, he re-examines his life, his adventures, and the choices that got him there, and he begins to wonder if it's too late to change his mind.
"A Steampunk Carol" by Steven R. Southard
That stuffy Victorian inventor, Stanton Wardgrave, is back again, eight years after inventing holograms and meeting the American Josephine Boulton. Married now, with a son and daughter, he’s dealing with rather too much balderdash and poppycock this Christmas Eve. Conversing with his dead father? Expecting three visitors? It all seems so very Dickensian. But he knows he’s not at all like that Ebenezer Scrooge fellow...is he?
Audio
"The Lion in Chains" by Mark Teppo and Angus Trim, narrated by Luke Daniels
Many were displeased with the "peace" King Richard of England brokered in the Holy Land, and his return from the Crusades wasn't greeted with cheers, but rather shackles. Now a "guest" of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Lion-Hearted is being held for an exorbitant ransom...so much money that it seems unlikely that the silver will make its way from Britain to Germany.
Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a volunteer editor for Alt Hist magazine. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly andThe Were-Traveler. 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.
Editor's Note O boy, we got a lot to cover this week. So much has been going on, I don't even know where to start.
How about on a high note? For those who did not catch it, we broke our monthly pay view record for the sixth time in a row. Our new record is 12,649 and, of course, I have every intention of breaking it again. What I need from you is help spreading the word. Please continue to share our posts on Facebook, Twitter and other sites.
If you scroll down you might notice something odd about this Weekly Update. I have merged our popular New Releases segment into Weekly Update in an effort to free up more time for all of the excellent contributors who have been waiting to see their works get published. Feedback is appreciated so feel free to tell me whether you like the new setup or not.
Speaking of changes to the blog, you should check out our Facebook group where an important decision about the blog is being left up to you. If you want your voice heard, join the group and cast your vote. You might even win something for your trouble.
Now for some self-promotion, my new flash fiction piece "Revenants in Warfare" was published last week at The Were-Traveler. Read an excerpt from best-selling historian Jorge Roman's new book where he details the use of the dead in warfare from the dawn of civilization to the United Technate's "War on Chaos". Again feedback is appreciated.
I like to welcome our first reader from Côte d’Ivoire. Don't forget everyone to enter our contest to win an e-book copy of Substitution Cipher. The deadline is 2pm CST and I will be announcing the winners at 3pm today. This week we will be rounding off our coverage of alternate American presidents before finally returning to our regularly scheduled program.
And now the news...
Aztecs invade Europe in Crusader Kings II
Just when Europe thought it was safe from troublesome Eastern foes, a new blood-curdling threat looms off the Western coast in Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion. In the latest DLC for the strategy/RPG Crusader Kings II, Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studios pose the question: what would have happened if the Aztecs invaded 13th Century Europe (mid- to late-game time)?
For the first time ever, Paradox Development Studio is introducing an alternate history scenario in their strategy games. Introducing new features, the upcoming Crusader Kings II DLC brings the Aztec civilization to European shores, determined to wreak carnage on its inhabitants. If readers think Paradox has unleashed the Tsalal on Europe, you are not far off. The invaders even come with a strange new disease, creating a reverse Columbian exchange.
How plausible, however, will this scenario be? How did the Aztecs gain transatlantic transportation or immunity from Old World diseases? Some long lost colony of Carthaginians or more aggressive Chinese exploration?
Regardless, one must answer the question: are we living in the golden age of alternate history DLC? Are game creators less interested in adding to already existing canon and instead want to have fun with their product by creating imaginative parallel timelines? God I hope so. Anyway I'm off to update my Christmas list and you should return on Thursday to see Chris Nuttall's review of Aztec Century, which has a similar plot to this DLC.
Assassin's Creed 3: Is Washington the Best Choice for King?
Not everyone is excited about the upcoming Assassin's Creed 3 DLC, The Tyranny of Washington. Alex Theologidy wrote an article on Gaming Illustrated explaining why George Washington was a bad choice to be king. Despite some historical support from Continental Army officers and members of the Continental Congress, Alex points out that Washington was a staunch republican and even if he had accepted the crown would have likely based his monarchy on the British model and would not have become a tyrant. Alex instead puts forward Benedict Arnold as a better choice. Having never played the games I don't understand his logic completely, but veterans of the franchise should check it out and get back to me to see if it makes sense.
Those wishing to learn more about the game should check out LA Times review of the game, which praises its historical accuracy. You should also check out Gameplay's interview with game designer Steven Masters where they do discuss the madness of King George DLC:
Or would you rather find out how big of perv Ben Franklin was:
Daughters hid your mothers. More on Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson
“The best place to start an adventure is with a quiet, perfect life…and someone who realizes that it can’t possibly be enough.”
That is the opening line to Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson, the new steampunk novel based on the band Rush's new album by the same name. We have covered this book in past updates, but if you want to learn more about how writing with a legendary rocker was like you can by checking out Anderson's interview with Marshall Ward at Rock Cellar Magazine. Of course Anderson is obviously biased to his own work, so if you want to know if the book is good read Kelly McManus' review at The Globe and Mail. Kelly called the novel "good fun" and added "Clockwork Angels could even carry a message for other artists: Don’t stop thinking big."
I think that is good message for everyone, not just rock stars.
Full Steam Ahead on Kickstarter
There is a new kickstarter for the game The Ship: Full Steam Ahead, which will be a steampunk sequel to the popular 1920's-themed computer game, The Ship. Like the original game, Full Steam Ahead will be available on PC (other platforms may follow) and will task players with finding and killing other players before said other players kill them, except this time you do it in a steampunk Victorian/Colonial Era Britain. The game will be released in April 2014 if funding can be secured on Kickstarter.
Submissions Wanted Aspiring authors take notice. Steve Berman is reading submissions for several projects, you can see a complete list on his website. I am thinking of submitting something for Zombies: Shambling Through History.
You can also enter AndWeWereHungry's inaguaral issue and short story contest: The Flying Elephant. Stories should be between 3k to 6k words and the deadline is Nov 30. More rules can be found on their website as well. I am also planning on submitting something, which I covered in my most recent writing update.
Nov 9-11, 16-17: A steampunk version of The Pirates of Penzance will play in Mount Desert, ME.
New Releases
Hardcover
Bronze Summer: The Northland Trilogy by Stephen Baxter Stone Spring drew readers into an alternate prehistoric scenario that now continues with Bronze Summer. Thousands of years have passed. And a wall that was built to hold back the sea, must now hold back the advancing armies of a reviving Troy…
Paperback Emily Dickinson, Superhero - Vol. 1by Eric Nixon
Emily Dickinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in history. The world saw her as a withdrawn, reclusive writer with a desperate need for privacy. That’s exactly what she wanted you to think.
Noam Chomsky argues that communication with aliens would be impossible. Steven Hawking argues that it would be extremely unwise even to try. What if it were absolutely necessary to do so? This question arises with extreme urgency at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. [See my review of A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor.]
Railroad Spine by Geonn Cannon
In a world where a little knowledge truly is a dangerous thing, Candice “Dice” Bodger is about to get an awful education.
A Tour With The Devil by Brian Turner
During the second World War we were close to losing a number of key battles. This dramatic story assumes the Normandy landings failed and the Allies were driven back into the sea. The Nazis then counter attacked and quickly overran Britain and eventually other key parts of the World.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
