Victoria 3

[Zanza]

Played a game as Prussia in 1.7 until 1860.

I tried breaking the power of the Junkers and succeeded in a way as I passed wealth voting, laissez faire, free trade, dedicated police force etc. But somehow the petit bourgeoisie now joined the Junkers and the Church in the conservative party and it still dominated elections.

In foreign affairs I could resolve the Schleswig-Holstein question early as Sweden joined against Denmark. Besides that, it was a bit too easy to build a colonial empire in Africa. Only the British really compete.

[The Minsky Moment]

But somehow the petit bourgeoisie now joined the Junkers and the Church in the conservative party and it still dominated elections.

Chancellor Trumpf.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah - my instinct was you've invented the Conservative Party

[Zanza]

The next immersion pack is India. Interesting choice when countries like US, Germany, Russia, UK, Italy or Japan could also need more local flavor...

[The Minsky Moment]

The EIC does need to be fixed. It shouldn't be an independent country.  It causes problems for the game and fuels exploits.
Also colonization in general should be more expensive and less rewarding to the mother country.

[Zanza]

I would never have guessed that China and Japan are the most played countries. Never played with them. Maybe I should. Japan seems somewhat interesting.

[The Minsky Moment]

Japan is a good starter country because it only has a few really big provinces, a fairly safe start position, and there's a lot to do for economic and political reform.

[Zanza]

Now that I think about, I remember that I tried a game with them with Spheres of Influence and the UK forced open my market within three years or so.

[Josephus]

Japan is a good starter country because it only has a few really big provinces, a fairly safe start position, and there's a lot to do for economic and political reform.

Isnt it unable to trade with anyone, though. ?

[The Minsky Moment]

Japan is a good starter country because it only has a few really big provinces, a fairly safe start position, and there's a lot to do for economic and political reform.

Isnt it unable to trade with anyone, though. ?

Yes but that also makes it beginner friendly because you don't have to micro trade, but it does push you to learn the manufacturing supply chain which is important to know for any playthrough.

[Syt]

Tried Japan this weekend (no mods), but I think I messed things up (shouldn't have watched stuff on second screen ).

Britain told me to change government or else (which I took, because hey - free election law!). Problem: I can't change government for five years after. Which sucks, because my first elections meant nothing and I was saddled with a completely illegitimate government the entire time.

Afterwards, Britain told me to go free trade - again accepted. This jump started my economy, but it was a struggle to get anything done. My Landowners were permanently pissed (killing my tax income with their -20% penalty), and any step I took to weaken them sent them (and the 5 million radicals I had by that point) into a revolutionary frenzy, making it "a bit hard" to get rid of, say, serfdom, or changing away from traditionalist economy. And I was too scared to just have a revolution (though I guess I could have gotten Russia to help me, but I'd rather not).

In the 1880s my budget at least is doing better again and allowing me to slowly lower taxes again. We just switched to Protectionism as a way to butter up the Landowners, but they're dipping back into the negative again and are plotting a coup. Part of me is thinking about restarting, but I also kinda want to see this one properly through. It's frustrating, but actually in a kinda fun way (turning a conservative traditionalist country around from agrarian feudalism to modern instrialism should be a struggle and period of turmoil).

[The Minsky Moment]

You want to have a revolt as Japan and put the landowners down.  That triggers the __ Restoration and kills off the shogunate, plus it gives you legislative breathing room for a few years with the landlords suppressed.  You just need to make sure you win the war (hint: as of 1.7, the capital and its soldiers never revolt).

Traditionalism is a killer, getting rid of the ASAP is an even bigger priority than trade policy. You should have a decent size rural lobby for an early move to agrarianism, which may not be the best law, but is still much better than Trad.

[The Minsky Moment]

I saw in the new dev diary Paradox has bit the bullet and implemented some country and culture specific laws and mechanics contrary to the design policy.

I don't agree with the common criticism that all Vic 3 nations feel the same; the different initial law set, tech, pop distribution, and resource distribution all have big impacts on game play.  What is true is that there isn't much variance in optimal play.  Vic 3 definitely has a view about what it takes to "win" the 19th century: political and economic liberalization, industrialization, adoption of new production methods, universal public education, encouraging immigration, and colonizing foreign lands with valuable resources. Trying to do something else, no matter what country you play, is pushing against the tide.  I happen to think Vic 3 has it mostly right historically, other than its apparent assumption that colonization is almost always a big net positive for the mother country, but it could be argued that such historical fidelity makes for less interesting and repayable game play.

Anyways, the new India specific laws and mechanics open the door, we'll see how that plays out for other countries going forward.

[Syt]

I feel they could try to make specialized economies more feasible. As is, often the optimal way to play is aiming for autarchy. It would be neat if international division of labor was more of a thing, or investors would see the potential of producing for export.

[Syt]

I managed to get the restoration, without civil war. I had a huge movement to enact tenant farming that I pushed through  in late 1880s before the landowners could launch a revolution. That broke their back and it's much smoother sailing now. Economy went quickly Agrarian => Interventionist; only need to get rid of Dissent Outlawed to get rid of the recognition penalties. Also, still trying to rally support for professional army.

I look forward to the upcoming policy changes that has these anti-law movements not disband immediately after they fail to stop the law.