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#1

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Valmy - Today at 03:28:28 PM

Oh my, more example of Johan being too jittery to handle the pressures of a major franchise:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EU5/s/TmcNUezrTX

Community relations have never been one of his strengths.

Yeah man. So many times back in the EU2 days I would find myself thinking "Damn Johan, what the hell is your problem?" dude should probably not be customer facing.

#2

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Valmy - Today at 03:27:38 PM

There is one issue now that is ruining the fun. The constant "so and so is 16 years old now" spam. I am getting one of those every two days. In addition to the So and So can be educated alerts. It's gotten annoying. I am ignoring them, which I know is probably not wise.

The character system just doesn't work.

You need to get a large court but the large court really sucks and is boring to manage AND it is really important you manage it. Because you need those 90+ skilled generals and cabinet members. Also 99% of your court does not have any role to play at all. So you spend a ton of time managing something that you only get an in game impact for 1% of it.

And it is constant. Every single month. It is a constant distraction from the more interesting things you need to do. This should be automated or changed in some way. And it is way to easy to successfully manage. In CK I constantly had to worry about betrayals and mass death of my courtiers. I was usually scrambling to find enough nobles to to rule counties and duchies and fill important posts and marry. And key deaths could be devastating to your game. Now...you have hundreds and hundreds of people and only a couple matter or do anything.

#3

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by garbon - Today at 03:27:18 PM

Oh my, more example of Johan being too jittery to handle the pressures of a major franchise:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EU5/s/TmcNUezrTX

Community relations have never been one of his strengths.

#4

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 02:55:32 PM

I literally had a dream last night that Hungary withdrew from the EU and everyone was wondering how long before Russia rolled in.

Wouldn't Russian want them to stay in the EU...in order to keep it paralyzed?

Indeed, Orbán has gotten to the point in his rethoric and actions that the main reason even serious analysts can come up for him staying in the EU and NATO is that leaving them, the EU especially, would render him worthless for Russia and China, the main sponsors of his regime since the EU finally closed the massive money fountain a couple of years ago.

#5

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 02:52:23 PM

Oh my, more example of Johan being too jittery to handle the pressures of a major franchise:

https://www.reddit.com/r/EU5/s/TmcNUezrTX

#6

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Jacob - Today at 01:53:17 PM

Wouldn't Russian want them to stay in the EU...in order to keep it paralyzed?

It was literally a dream... I'm not at my best in terms of geopolitical analysis when I'm sleeping 

... or @ Crazy_Ivan80, at my best in terms of geography

#7

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Josquius - Today at 01:21:17 PM

That's pretty cool. Authentic real US shining through the Trump

#8

Gaming HQ / Re: PSA: Game Discounts

Last post by frunk - Today at 01:18:38 PM

I've got two games with Steam keys from the Jingle Jam Bundle that I don't want.  First people to message me gets them.

Tower Unite
https://store.steampowered.com/app/394690/Tower_Unite/

Wild Bastards
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1660840/Wild_Bastards/

[A World Cup match hosted in Seattle in the summer of 2026 and billed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride will feature Egypt and Iran—two nations where homosexuality is all but illegal and queer communities face severe repression.]

#9

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Duque de Bragança - Today at 12:52:18 PM

Can Trump and his FIFA lackey "save" the day? 

World Cup Pride Match to Feature Two Countries That Prosecute Gays
PUBLISHED
DEC 08, 2025 AT 11:07 AM EST
UPDATED
DEC 08, 2025 AT 11:08 AM EST

Jesus Mesa

A World Cup match hosted in Seattle in the summer of 2026 and billed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride will feature Egypt and Iran—two nations where homosexuality is all but illegal and queer communities face severe repression.

SeattleFWC26, the local organizing committee, emphasized that the Pride Match designation is independent and "not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA," according to its website.
Newsweek reached out to the Seattle FWC26 committee for comment on Monday.
Why It Matters
The Group G fixture, set for June 26 at Lumen Field, was designated a "Pride Match" by Seattle's local organizing committee well before the tournament draw. Timed to align with the city's official Pride weekend, the event is intended to promote inclusion and visibility within the global football community.
Local organizers have partnered with artists across Washington state to create LGBTQ-themed public artwork that will be displayed throughout the city during the match.
What To Know

As the World Cup draw unfolded and match assignments were finalized, none of the host cities—including Seattle—knew in advance which countries they would be staging. But once the schedule confirmed that Egypt and Iran would meet in Seattle's designated Pride Match, the pairing quickly drew international attention.
Both governments criminalize same-sex relationships: in Iran, homosexuality can be punishable by death, while in Egypt, LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently targeted under public morality laws and prosecuted for "debauchery."
The match presents a complex scenario for Seattle organizers, who have set up a Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) to "shape the communications, community activations, and cultural programming" for the festivities. Yet the PMAC remains confident.

A fan waves a Pride flag before the game between the Seattle Sounders and the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field on June 03, 2023 in Seattle, Washington....Read More
"The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country, and it was planned well in advance," a spokesperson for the Pride Match Advisory Committee (PMAC) said in a statement to Outsports. "It is a Host City–led expression of Seattle and Washington State's commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone belongs—players, fans, residents, and visitors alike."
The matchup presents an early test for FIFA. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, another country with draconian laws against same-sex relationships, the soccer governing body faced international criticism for threatening to sanction players who wore the rainbow-colored "OneLove" armbands.
Several European teams, including England and Wales, dropped plans to wear the bands after FIFA warned that players could be penalized on the field. Others, like Germany, protested by covering their mouths during the team photos before their matches.

What People Are Saying
Hedda McLendon, Senior Vice President of Legacy at SeattleFWC26, to Outsports: "We're working with small businesses so the region's LGBTQ+-owned enterprises are ready to benefit from the tournament's unprecedented visitor surge."
Eric Wahl, member of the Seattle PMAC and brother of late journalist Grant Wahl, on social media: "The match-up of two countries where it is illegal to be gay is actually a 'good thing' for the Pride Match".

What Happens Next

FIFA has not yet commented on the Seattle Pride Match, nor have the football federations of Egypt or Iran. It is too early to say whether players or officials from either side will participate in or acknowledge the Pride-focused aspects of the event.

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/world-cup-pride-match-iran-egypt-seattle-11174210

#10

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tonitrus - Today at 12:27:35 PM

I literally had a dream last night that Hungary withdrew from the EU and everyone was wondering how long before Russia rolled in.

Wouldn't Russian want them to stay in the EU...in order to keep it paralyzed?