http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TwI8HVeOco - More info





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Crusader Kings II enters closed beta
It's time to get your medieval intrigue on, Crusader Kings II closed beta sign ups started today. I've been waiting for this dynasty focused grand strategy game for what seems like an eternity. I've been playing the original a lot in anticipation and I'm considering picking up similarly themed Sengoku just to get my fix. In Crusader Kings II players don't take charge of a nation, per say, instead they control a noble dynasty. You still manage lands and armies, but the joy is in developing a powerful family that spreads across Europe, dominating everything. Of course, sometimes it's better to set one's sights a little lower. You win more by keeping your dynasty unbroken until the end of the era. That's easier said than done when you have to contend with popular revolts, war, plague, and the treachery of your so called loved ones. Remember your favorite brother? The one who you honored with the title "Count of Cornwall?" Yeah, he's raised an army and now he's trying to take the throne out from under your inept arse. Everyone's a critic. There's no reason why you wouldn't want to go through that. Go sign up. Now. Did you know? You can now get daily or weekly email notifications when humans reply to your comments.
Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)Crusader Kings II, like Crusader Kings, the Europa Universalis, the Hearts of Iron, and the Victoria games before it, is a Grand Strategy game made by Paradox. Basically, for all of these series, think of a mixture of Civilization and Risk. Now multiply the complexity, detail, historicity, and flexibility by about 10,000, and you have the Paradox Grand Strategy games. Also, they're real-time, although you can adjust the speed or even pause on the fly. In a way, it sorta has a turn-based vibe as a result (although this will depend on how you play it, I suppose).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TwI8HVeOco - More info @killias2 That's a good general description but I would just add that each game has a different emphasis for those not in the know. CK is more focused on your family and intrigue than war and conquest (think Game of Thrones). Sengoku (which IMO is the easiest for newbies) is similar but with a bigger focus on war, though the intrigue will probably be fleshed out over time. EU has the most epic scale and is about building a nation over the centuries more so than a dynasty. Victoria has a bigger focus on economy, politics, and technology. Finally, Hearts of Iron covers the shortest time period but is probably the most complex. The combat and technology is far more detailed. They are all fun in their own ways, but I think CK2 will be the crown jewel. 9:30 PM on 06.06.2013 Neverwinter out on June 20, first expansion revealedYou should go play Neverwinter -- it's awesome. Right now it's in open beta, but on June 20 it will be officially released. Part of this release includes a new end-game area that will combine "PvE, PvP and dungeon delving int...
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6:00 PM on 06.05.2013 Company of Heroes 2 fires into open betaCompany of Heroes 2 has launched into open beta, so from now until June 18 you can check out the multiplayer and coop. The best news about the open beta is that if you play it a lot, and decide to buy the game later, you'll g...
12:15 PM on 06.05.2013 SpyParty open beta kicks off the festivitiesAt long last, SpyParty has arrived! Well, sort of. The highly anticipated game of subtlety and misdirection isn't quite finished just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't get in on the action right now. Chris Hecker has launc...
12:00 PM on 05.27.2013 Mojang's open beta for Scrolls kicks off next weekThe card-centric strategy title Scrolls will be available in an open beta capacity for PC and Mac starting June 3, 2013. This is Mojang, so you'll need to pay up -- £13/€15/$20, in this specific case -- to play th...
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1:45 PM on 04.12.2013 MOBA Prime World enters closed betaIt's been a long time since we took a look at Prime World, Nival's castle-building MOBA. You should definitely check out Hamza's interview with the developer from 2011, though, because it all takes place on a bouncy castle. ...
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| 7:00 PM on 05.13.2013 Elder Kings mod brings Tamriel to Crusader Kings II |

With the Elder Kings mod you can now bring the rich world of The Elder Scrolls into Crusader Kings II. Everyone from Argonians, Dunmer, Nords, Falmer, Khajit, Bosmer, and the Empire are here and playable in Paradox Devel...more
| 5:45 PM on 01.24.2013 Crusader Kings II invades Linux |

I write about Crusader Kings II quite a bit, and I play it even more. If conquering the medieval world, using children as bargaining chips, and assassinating half of the heads of state of Europe was a problem, I'd definitely...more
| 9:00 PM on 10.31.2012 Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion impressions |

In the world of medieval strategy games, there isn't a more terrifying foe than the Mongolian Horde. Riding out of the east, it chews up everything in its path, devastating entire nations. The horror of this wave of pillagers...more
| 10:30 PM on 10.16.2012 Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome launches today |

Paradox Interactive has released the latest expansion for Crusader Kings II today -- a game that has already swallowed up a vast portion of my time. On top of a plethora of new features, "Legacy of Rome" further fleshes...more
| 6:00 PM on 06.23.2012 Interview: Harems and sand in Crusader Kings II |

Crusader Kings II is a game I can't quite bring myself to stop playing. Ruling a medieval nation has never been so much fun, and I've now rewritten history more times than I can count (so, at least ten times). Paradox has bee...more
| 9:30 PM on 05.30.2012 Defend the Holy Land from the Crusaders in Sword of Islam |

Paradox has announced a new DLC pack for Crusader Kings II called Sword of Islam, a mini-expansion that will let players control Muslim rulers. New mechanics will be added to make playing as a Muslim nation feel distinc...more
| 12:30 PM on 02.17.2012 Review: Crusader Kings II |

Videogames and history have a wonderful and colorful relationship. Thousands of years of warfare, culture clashes, technological advances, political upheaval and intrigue have given developers a massive pool of content to wor...more
| 7:30 PM on 10.26.2011 Interview: What's new in Crusader Kings II |

Crusader Kings II is the sequel to one of the most unconventional and intriguing grand strategy games I've ever had the delight to play. With its focus on intrigue, relationships, and dynasty building, it really stood out fro...more
| 6:00 PM on 06.05.2013 Company of Heroes 2 fires into open beta |
Company of Heroes 2 has launched into open beta, so from now until June 18 you can check out the multiplayer and coop. The best news about the open beta is that if you play it a lot, and decide to buy the game later, you'll g...more
| 12:15 PM on 06.05.2013 SpyParty open beta kicks off the festivities |
At long last, SpyParty has arrived! Well, sort of. The highly anticipated game of subtlety and misdirection isn't quite finished just yet, but that doesn't mean you can't get in on the action right now. Chris Hecker has launc...more
| 12:00 PM on 05.27.2013 Mojang's open beta for Scrolls kicks off next week |
The card-centric strategy title Scrolls will be available in an open beta capacity for PC and Mac starting June 3, 2013. This is Mojang, so you'll need to pay up -- £13/€15/$20, in this specific case -- to play th...more


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