How historically accurate is the map in EU4?

[Dboy]

Hi,

I wanted to use the map as one of the sources for my history essay. How accurate is the map? The essay will be focusing on Polish-Lithanian Commonwealth.

Also if anyone knows some decent decomentaries or podcasts on that part of history, please post links or at least tell me what to look for. I would VERY much appreciate it. There is a ton of books and documentaries about Poland, they all focus on modern age.

Regards,
Oldman

[Tako13]

im geussing you're in highschool, because there is no way a person writing a university level paper would even consider this. My advice would be to go to a library and find real sources from acredited professionals, like the people paradox used to research for their game.
maybe if you look into the games files you could find sources on who they used for their map research

[Dboy]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Sharkeisha:

im geussing you're in highschool, because there is no way a person writing a university level paper would even consider this. My advice would be to go to a library and find real sources from acredited professionals, like the people paradox used to research for their game.
maybe if you look into the games files you could find sources on who they used for their map research

I honestly do not see what the problem is. If a film is acceptable then what is wrong with a game? Why do you degrade the medium so much? It is a bloody historical map, what does it matter if it is in some book or the game? I am sure it could be found in a book, however I don't know which and even if I found it, due to its interactive nature, the map in EU4 is simply superior, not to mention the ease of access (which I kind of did mention earlier). Today computers are used to collect data as opposed to old paper files and I just don't see why I should not use what if given to me, if the only real reason is 'because it doesn't seen academic', unless the map is not accurate (WHICH IS THE QUESTION), then it would be less appropriate.

Now, for your information, Mr. Imagination-I-Have-None, even if the map is not accurate, I could still discuss how the position (not necessarily just geographical position) of the Commonwealth is being interpreted in this semi-historical (if its not accurate) game. Even if some minor character in some random science-fantasy anime did some minor gesture, it could still be referenced if it does provide information on how whatever it is, is interpreted. This is why I'll be referencing Mateykos paintings. And guess what those highly professional academic and accredited historians do? They make interpretations and based on already existing sources of reference, so "consider this" and stop scolding me, because that is not what I asked for. What could you possibly know about higher education if you can't answer one simple question, seriously? Am I the only one who sees the irony?

Let's end this fascicle... Thank you all very much for help.

[StayCranked]

The question is very clear isnt it? Because all you kids are crying about the teacher, that probably doesnt give a damn. Doesnt matter if you are in highschool or the university, historically accurate is the most important.

I believe the map is accurate (atleast Europe), but once you unpause it anything can happen. I remember them saying this but I can't find the source anymore :( Ofcourse you are always better off with a real source, but I think it's save to use it (only for Europe though). I bet Paradox did a lot of research ;)

[Dboy]

Początkowo opublikowane przez stay cranked:

The question is very clear isnt it? Because all you kids are crying about the teacher, that probably doesnt give a damn. Doesnt matter if you are in highschool or the university, historically accurate is the most important.

I believe the map is accurate (atleast Europe), but once you unpause it anything can happen. I remember them saying this but I can't find the source anymore :( Ofcourse you are always better off with a real source, but I think it's save to use it (only for Europe though). I bet Paradox did a lot of research ;)

Thank you for the confirmation, I do realise what happens once you unpause.

That was not so painful was it?

[Tako13]

the reason a game is different from a tv documentary or whatever is that paradox devs dont have history phds and therefore its not a reliable source. its kinda like wikipedia, most of the ♥♥♥♥ on wikipedia is completly accurate, but its not written by anyone with real credentials so it cant be used in a scholarly paper. maybe its not "fair", but thats how it is. and the question isnt whether or not the map is accurate, even though thats what you asked, what you should be thinking about if you care about your grades is whether or not the source is reliable.

[Dboy]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Sharkeisha:

the reason a game is different from a tv documentary or whatever is that paradox devs dont have history phds and therefore its not a reliable source. its kinda like wikipedia, most of the ♥♥♥♥ on wikipedia is completly accurate, but its not written by anyone with real credentials so it cant be used in a scholarly paper. maybe its not "fair", but thats how it is. and the question isnt whether or not the map is accurate, even though thats what you asked, what you should be thinking about if you care about your grades is whether or not the source is reliable.

That is a valid point and I do care about my grades, however I am not trying to challenge any historian's view on the matter, it is a simple written debate, based on whatever sources are available. Wikipedia is extremely helpful, but I have other 'proper' sources, in fact you can find them in the reference notes on the Wiki pages about the Commonwealth. What I do not have is a proper map and the one in EU4 is so amazing, it would be a sin not to use it, though as I said, I might not include it in the bibliography.

[Warial]

If you are looking for maps, wikipedia has nice collection of PLC maps through centuries. If you want any other infomration... it's better to find a book... though it might be futile unless you speak Polish.

[Slimane]

I've heard paradox say that the starting borders in Europe are accurate, but that the rest of the world was not.

Also I don't see any problem in using a video game like this for a presentation as long as hes got other sources.

[Itchy]

What exactly is your essay about? I mean, maps about Poland between 1500 - 1600 are fairly easy to find: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ward_1912/poland_lithuania_1569.jpg

so what exactly are you writing about the Commonwealth?

[Dboy]

Początkowo opublikowane przez Itchy:

What exactly is your essay about? I mean, maps about Poland between 1500 - 1600 are fairly easy to find: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/ward_1912/poland_lithuania_1569.jpg

so what exactly are you writing about the Commonwealth?

Well, actually they aren't easy to find, especially primary resources as the great Catherine the Great made sure that the better part of Polish history does not outshine the Russian one. I am writing an argument about how strong was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between 1569ish and 1669ish. The map you provided is great, still not as good as the EU4 map there just isn't any better... as long as we keep the credibility and accuracy matter under the carpet. If you could, would you also provide a map for 1669ish :)?

[justDerrick]

my advice.. us a historical mod focusing on the time and place you are interested. I find the fan made mods usually have alot of research going into them. Check ut the mod's forum posts too on paradoxplaza, there's probably some good info out there too. (it might help if you propose a "what-if" scenario and test it out with EU4..... but most likely what will happen is what Narf said)

[Dboy]

Początkowo opublikowane przez derrickmoore:

my advice.. us a historical mod focusing on the time and place you are interested. I find the fan made mods usually have alot of research going into them. Check ut the mod's forum posts too on paradoxplaza, there's probably some good info out there too. (it might help if you propose a "what-if" scenario and test it out with EU4..... but most likely what will happen is what Narf said)

I don't have enough time to invest into the it, if it doesn't work then it doesn't. I had a lot of time... but guess what! I was playing games instead of writing :P. I have more than enough sources, I just thought interactive map would be cool, because it would show me places of high tension and whatnot. Thanks anyway, I will definitely use the map you linked.

[Itchy]

http://lithuanianmaps.com/images/1630_Beauplan_Poloniae_gallica.bnf.fr_515x395.jpg - supposedely this map is from 1630.

http://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/351/351images/Poland%201600.jpg - this map shows the polish-lithuanian union in the earliy 1600's.

There's nothing wrong with using a digital medium as a source, as long as you can argue for your decision. However, if I were you I would at least include a "proper" map as a supplement to the EU4 map.

[Dane]

I wouldnt use a video game map on an essay. Just google it much better than using a game map.

[Dboy]

Thanks, now I have so many sources... I have to get through them and then actually write the essay itself. This is going to be the longest Easter ever >_>.