How much history knowledge do i need to have to enjoy this game?

[Velsu]

I will be honest - my history knowledge is low. I remember some big war's and events but thats it. I was never too interested in it and i regret that.

I was wondering if a person with big lack of knowledge in history can enjoy this game?

Also any idea where i could quick educate myself online, like most important stuff without going too deep into details?

[clownwolf]

Prior to this game, I had no idea what a Burgundy is.

*so none at all.

also, historical events of countries pop-up in events or decisions. So you might choose a different decision other than the historical one and alter history.

[TentacleMayor]

It's not so historical that you need to know what happened irl to have a good strategy ingame. The game will guide you somewhat through missions, or you can do your own thing. All countries play by the same rules and the game explains them well. (Though, you should turn off Lucky Nations) So you don't need to know anything about history, but being interested in the time period will make the game more enjoyable.

[Luke]

It's a luxury, but not a necessity. The game will still be very fun for anyone who likes strategy games or micro/macromanagement and complex problem solving.

[Blue Knight™]

go into Wiki to any Nation you dont know about and check them out (ive spent 100 hours on Wiki reading about Burgundy, Hungary , Teutonic Knights , Austria , Spain i was already addictited to -200bc-100ad history but it went to a whole new level with this ) :)

[RedBull34]

IDK it might help to know the general outline of your country...Castile is pushed towards the Reconquista and Inquisition, so knowing why and what those were might inform you, but none of it is probably neccessary?

[Palmirinha do Hotdog]

You don't really need to know a lot. A general outline of history so you know what countries tend to do(e.g probably not a good idea to attack Sweden or Russia, the Iberic countries and England colonize a lot, etc) is nice to have up your sleeve, but nothing critical to your enjoyment of the game.

[Nubnut]

Knowing the historical expansion of a nation can give you some ideas of where to go (Castille's colonial pushes, Prussia's movement along the baltic coastline etc. etc.) but really you don't need any historical background to enjoy the game.

[Velsu]

Thank You for Your inputs guys.

[ShadoWwolF]

knowing not to invade russia in the winter is probably the most useful bit of history you could know

[ArcanisCz]

Actually, this game is pretty awesome for history learning. As someone said - now i know what is burgundy for example :D

[ArcanisCz]

Moreover, me and some friends even thought of way, how could this game improve history classes in high schools (elementary schools are probably out of question, it would be suitable for older children)

[Xandurz]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von ArcanisCz:

Moreover, me and some friends even thought of way, how could this game improve history classes in high schools (elementary schools are probably out of question, it would be suitable for older children)

Funny thing is, that the very first game (not called EU of course, the one before that) these guys made was indeed made for teaching students history in school in Sweden. lol

[Xandurz]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Velsu:

I will be honest - my history knowledge is low. I remember some big war's and events but thats it. I was never too interested in it and i regret that.

I was wondering if a person with big lack of knowledge in history can enjoy this game?

Also any idea where i could quick educate myself online, like most important stuff without going too deep into details?

The only really helpful thing to know from history (which works here) is that armies of this period relied heavily on mercenaries at the start and then phased them out in favor of a regular standing army as centuries passed (Even Friedrich The Great relied on mercs when ♥♥♥♥ hit the fan).
Everything else you will learn on your own when playing the game, so it's more like an incentive to learn history, rather than a test.

[River]

while you don't need history to enjoy the game, it does add flavour. It's akin to having your favourite characters from a movie doing something awesome in a game. You know the story, you know the characters, and now you control them in a game.
with EU, it is a bit like this, but with countries. and instead of the movie/comic/book you refer to history. The time that EU starts - 1440 - was a pivotal time, and you can change a lot. the expulsion of Granada from Spain (the name of the region of Spain when Spain was muslim), the fall of constantinople, the end of the 100 year war, the apex of the Holy Roman Empire, the conguest of Wallachia, Moldova, Serbia and Croatia by the ottomans.
sooooo, if you wish, open up a book about medieval Europe - or better yet, open one about the renaissance (it started in Italy at around 1400).

a sweet example is England. when you start the game in 1440, you start with a king with the incredible starts of 0/0/0. also known as King Henry VI of England.