View source for Europa Universalis

{{Short description|2000 grand strategy video game}}
{{about|the video game|the board game of the same name that the game is based on|Europa Universalis (board game)|other uses|Universalis (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Europa Universalis
| image = EuropaUniversalisBox.jpg
| developer = [[Paradox Development Studio]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|GER|Blackstar Interactive|SWE|Vision Park|[[North America|NA]]/[[Australasia|AU]]|[[Strategy First]]|UK|[[Koch Media]]}}
| producer = Henrik Strandberg
| designer = [[Johan Andersson (game programmer)|Johan Andersson]]<br/>Klas Berndal<br/>Henrik Strandberg<br/>[[Philippe Thibaut]]
| artist = Daniel Nygren
| programmer = Johan Andersson
| series = 
| released = {{vgrelease|GER|October 20, 2000<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/3484/europa-universalis/releases/#windows | title=Europa Universalis Releases | website=[[MobyGames]] | publisher=[[Atari SA]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020005904/https://www.mobygames.com/game/3484/europa-universalis/releases/#windows | archive-date=October 20, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>|SWE|December 15, 2000|NA|February 21, 2001<ref>{{cite web | author=Varanini, Giancarlo | date=February 21, 2001 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/europa-universalis-ships/1100-2688380/ | title=Europa Universalis ships | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010302173256/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2688380,00.html | archive-date=March 2, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>|UK|March 2, 2001<ref>{{cite web | author=Bye, John "Gestalt" | date=February 5, 2001 | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-30088 | title=Conquer Europe | website=[[Eurogamer]] | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126062543/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/article_30088 | archive-date=January 26, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>|AU|December 14, 2001}}
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| genre = [[List of grand strategy video games|Grand strategy]]
| engine = [[Europa Engine]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
}}
'''''Europa Universalis''''' is a [[Grand strategy game|grand strategy]] [[video game]] developed by [[Paradox Development Studio]] and published in 2000 by [[Strategy First]].

==Development==
The game was originally based on a French [[board game]] of the [[Europa Universalis (board game)|same name]] by [[Philippe Thibaut]] that was released in 1993.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4102/europa-universalis | title=Europa Universalis | website=[[Board Game Geek]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925192418/https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/4102/europa-universalis | archive-date=September 25, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name="BossomDunning2015">{{cite book | author1=Bossom, Andy | author2=Dunning, Ben | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OU83DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA140 | title=Video Games: An Introduction to the Industry | publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing | date=December 17, 2015 | page=140 | isbn=978-1-4725-6715-4}}</ref> To facilitate the new game, a new proprietary software engine, known as the [[Europa Engine]], was developed.<ref>{{cite web | date=March 13, 2000 | url=https://www.moddb.com/engines/europa-engine/games | title=Games - Europa Engine | website=ModDB | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301140121/https://www.moddb.com/engines/europa-engine/games | archive-date=March 1, 2018 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> The game went gold on January 23, 2001.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | date=January 23, 2001 | url=http://www.strategyfirst.com/Eng/pressold3.html | title=Europa Universalis Goes Gold | website=[[Strategy First]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223201839/http://www.strategyfirst.com/Eng/pressold3.html | archive-date=February 23, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
''Europa Universalis'' is a historically accurate real-time strategy game; it  recreates 300 years of history from the [[Age of Discovery]] in 1492 to Napoleon's rise to power in 1792.<ref name=":1" /> 

The game lets the player take control of one of seven [[Europe]]an nations (others are available in different scenarios) from 1492 to 1792, expanding its power through [[military]] might, [[diplomacy]], and [[Colonization|colonial]] wealth. The game takes place on a two-dimensional map divided into approximately 1,500 provinces, and proceeds in a pausable [[Real-time computing|real time]] format.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Brown, Fraser | date=December 24, 2018 | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-history-of-the-strategy-game/ | title=The history of the strategy game | magazine=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928220112/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-history-of-the-strategy-game/ | archive-date=September 28, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> Part of the presented world is invisible for the player (terra incognita) – it is however possible to explore individual provinces.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | author=Geryk, Bruce | date=December 22, 2000 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/europa-universalis-preview/1100-2668560/ | title=Europa Univeralis Preview | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010204014100/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/previews/0,10869,2668560,00.html | archive-date=February 4, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>

The player directs one of the eight European powers available in the scenario and represents the individual historical rulers. They change over time according to historical realities and have different skills that translate into the development of the country. For example, [[John III Sobieski]] has high military skills in the game and [[Suleiman the Magnificent]] is a character with high administrative skills.<ref name=":0" /> The game features a number of historical events, such as the Reformation, the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]] and the uprising in the Netherlands, which have a significant impact on the game.<ref>Europa Universalis User manual - p. 33-34.</ref>

The player can take care of technological development in their own country by allocating part of the budget to research. Technological progress is linear and consists in reaching higher and higher levels of technology in four areas: army, navy, infrastructure, and trade. With progressive development, the player gains new capabilities, such as improved units. It is also possible to increase spending to maintain stability in the state or to abandon all subsidies to increase the state treasury<ref name=":0" /> at the expense of rising inflation.<ref>Europa Universalis User Manual - p. 64-65</ref>

Rebellions of the population can be a problem for internal development. Rebellions occur when there are differences between the state religion and the religion followed in a province (there are several different faiths and religions in the game), taxation of the population through the establishment of a tax collector's office, or as a result of game-activated events. Rebels can even secede from the state and declare independence.<ref name=":0" /> Therefore, the stability system plays an important role in the game, which determines the risk of rebellion in the provinces, as well as the speed of city development and the amount of taxes collected.<ref>{{cite web | author=Wojnarowicz, Jakub | date=April 30, 2001 | url=http://www.firingsquad.com/games/europauniv/page4.asp | title=Europa Universalis Review (Page 4) | website=Firing Squad | publisher=FS Media, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706040722/http://www.firingsquad.com/games/europauniv/page4.asp | archive-date=July 6, 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=April 7, 2021}}</ref>

A special element of the game is the colonisation of uninhabited territories. The player, using conquistadors (in the case of land forces) and explorers (for sea forces) has the possibility to discover new provinces and thanks to the settlers can settle the chosen territory.<ref name=":0" />

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 86/100<ref name=mc>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/europa-universalis/ | title=Europa Universalis | website=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227205116/https://www.metacritic.com/game/europa-universalis/ | archive-date=December 27, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
| CGSP = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=cgsp>{{cite web | author=Lieb, Steve | date=October 6, 2000 | url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/016/europa_review.html | title=Europa Universalis [EU Import] | website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] | publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206172753/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/030/016/europa_review.html | archive-date=February 6, 2005 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Geryk, Bruce | url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_203.pdf | title=Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (''Europa Universalis'' Review) | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | issue=203 | date=June 2001 | page=88 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530175613/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_203.pdf | archive-date=May 30, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
| Gamekult = 5/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Sonnic, Christian | date=March 16, 2001 | url=https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/europa-universalis-1059/test.html | title=Test : Europa Universalis : puristes only | language=fr | website=[[Gamekult]] | publisher=[[TF1 Group]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515102945/https://www.gamekult.com/jeux/europa-universalis-1059/test.html | archive-date=May 15, 2021 | url-status=live | access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.1/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Parker, Sam | date=March 19, 2001 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/europa-universalis-review/1900-2698581/ | title=Europa Universalis Review | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010331100945/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2698581,00.html | archive-date=March 31, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Butts, Steve | date=March 20, 2001 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/21/europa-universalis | title=Europa Universalis | website=[[IGN]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214040732/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/21/europa-universalis | archive-date=February 14, 2021 | url-status=live | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
| JXV = 12/20<ref>{{cite web | author=pilou | date=June 28, 2001 | url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001441_test.htm | title=Test: Europa Universalis | language=fr | website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] | publisher=[[Webedia]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125014325/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001441_test.htm | archive-date=January 25, 2021 | url-status=live | access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>
| JS = 84%<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Arctor, Bob | title=Europa Universalis | language=fr | magazine=[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]] | publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi Médias]] | issue=128 | date=July–August 2001 | pages=146-48}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=ngen>{{cite magazine | author=Lee, John | url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen76Apr2001/page/n91/mode/2up | title=Europa Universalis | magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]] | publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] | issue=76 | date=April 2001 | page=90 | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
| PCPP = 68%<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Stepnik, March | url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-071-2002-03/page/n63/mode/2up | title=Europa Universalis | magazine=[[PC PowerPlay]] | publisher=[[nextmedia|Next Media Pty Ltd]] | issue=71 | date=March 2002 | pages=64-65 | access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>
| PCZone = 76%<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Scotford, Laurence | url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_101_2001-04_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n69/mode/2up | title=Europa Universalis | magazine=[[PC Zone]] | publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] | issue=101 | date=April 2001 | page=70 | access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref>
}}

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=mc /> John Lee of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' said, "A full-bodied simulation of European turmoil and global expansion between the 15th and 18th centuries, ''Europa Universalis'' isn't all that original, but if historic realism is your passion, you'll like what you see."<ref name=ngen /> ''[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]'' gave the game acclaim while it was still in development in Europe.<ref name=cgsp />

The staff of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' nominated the game for "Strategy Game of the Year" at the 11th Annual Computer Games Awards,<ref>{{cite magazine | author=CGM staff | date=January 17, 2002 | url=http://www.cgonline.com/features/020117-f1-f1-pg4.html | title=CGM announces finalists for 'The Year's Best' (Page 4) | magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | publisher=[[theGlobe.com]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020125075917/http://www.cgonline.com/features/020117-f1-f1-pg4.html | archive-date=January 25, 2002 | access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> which went to ''[[Civilization III]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=CGM staff | title=11th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards | magazine=Computer Games Magazine | publisher=theGlobe.com | issue=136 | date=March 2002 | pages=50–56}}</ref>

==Sequels==
''Europa Universalis'' was the first in the series, followed by ''[[Europa Universalis II]]'', ''[[Europa Universalis III]]'', ''[[Europa Universalis: Rome]]'', ''[[Europa Universalis IV]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/europa-universalis-iv | title=Europa Universalis IV | website=Paradox Plaza | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513042454/http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/europa-universalis-iv | archive-date=May 13, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=September 27, 2012}}</ref> and ''[[Europa Universalis V]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Europa Universalis V - Paradox Interactive |url=https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/europa-universalis-v/about |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=paradoxinteractive.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[List of grand strategy video games]] 
* [[List of Paradox Interactive games]] 
* [[Wargame (video games)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120707020625/http://www.paradoxplaza.com/games/europa-universalis Official website (archived)]
* {{MobyGames|id=/3484/europa-universalis/}}

{{Paradox development studio games}}

[[Category:Europa Universalis| ]]
[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:Age of Discovery video games]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Suleiman the Magnificent]]
[[Category:Grand strategy video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Paradox Interactive games]]
[[Category:Plaion]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Strategy First games]]
[[Category:Video games based on board games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Sweden]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 15th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 16th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 17th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 18th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Vision Park games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]