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If you think it does then you may wish to consider these ideas . . .

Primary historical events for consideration

Option 1

All of these events could be introduced into the game just to increase the historical “atmosphere” a bit more. They could just be linked to a specific date and appear as “Special Events”.

Japan declares war on Germany and Austro-Hungary (August 1914)
Anglo-Japanese forces capture German base at Tsingtao (November 1914)
German forces in SW Africa surrender (July 1915)
Tsar Nicholas II assumes command of Russian military (September 1915)
Sultan Mehmed V declares a Jihad against the Allies (November 1915)
Easter Rising in Dublin (April 1916)
Black Tom explosion in Jersey City, USA (July 1916)
Death of Franz Joseph, Austro-Hungarian Emperor (November 1916)
US Presidential election won by Woodrow Wilson (November 1916)
Assassination of Rasputin in Russia (December 1916)
Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico intercepted (January 1917)
German “sealed train” takes Lenin to Russia (April 1917)
Balfour Declaration (November 1917)
Allies form Supreme War Council at Rapallo Conference (November 1917)
Woodrow Wilson’s issues his “Fourteen Points” (October 1918)


Option 2
This would involve randomising these events so that they did not always appear in a game, but if they did appear then they would have some impact on the game, particularly on the morale of the participating countries.

Japan declares war on Germany and Austro-Hungary (August 1914)
50% chance of occurring: German and Austro-Hungarian morale -2%.

Anglo-Japanese forces capture German base at Tsingtao (November 1914)
50% chance of occurring: German morale -2%.

German forces in SW Africa surrender (July 1915)
50% chance of occurring: German morale -2%.

Tsar Nicholas II assumes command of Russian military (September 1915)
100% chance of occurring: Russian morale -5%.

Sultan Mehmed V declares a Jihad against the Allies (November 1915)
50% chance of occurring: German and Austro-Hungarian morale +5%.

Easter Rising in Dublin (April 1916)
50% chance of occurring: British morale -5%.

Black Tom explosion in Jersey City, USA (July 1916)
50% chance of occurring: USA more likely to enter the war +5%.

Death of Franz Joseph, Austro-Hungarian Emperor (November 1916)
100% chance of occurring: Austro-Hungarian morale +5%.

US Presidential election won by Woodrow Wilson (November 1916)
50% chance of occurring: USA less likely to enter the war +5%.

Assassination of Rasputin in Russia (December 1916)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale +5%.

Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico intercepted (January 1917)
50% chance of occurring: USA more likely to enter the war +5%.

German “sealed train” takes Lenin to Russia (April 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale -10%.

Balfour Declaration (November 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Arab revolt morale -10%.

Allies form Supreme War Council at Rapallo Conference (November 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Entente powers morale each +2%.

Woodrow Wilson’s issues his “Fourteen Points” (January 1918)
50% chance of occurring: Entente powers morale each -2%.

I am currently working on a further list of "secondary events" that might be added to either of the two options above. Of course, this may not be in the direction that the developers wish to take the game and all the effects of the events can be argued about. My own view is that there is a bit of an issue about "re-playability" with the game and I certainly think it loses some "historical atmosphere" the longer a game goes on. I am suggesting these ideas as a way of remedying these two issues.

I would be interested to hear some feedback, particularly if you think other events might be included in the lists.

In a word yes the game needs more events,that bring a more historical feel to the game.[;)]

Adding more events is not the problem,they are pretty easy to do,the problem is what photo to use when the event occurs,because I have been told there might be copy right issues to consider.

OK. I actually made this list up about a year ago and never posted it then and the point about the events included is that they could all be introduced as "Special Events" that would work regardless of the actual military situation in any game being played. In addition, there could also be a "food riots" event that could affect any power whose morale was dropping to dangerous levels - and there could be a short series of Special Events linked to the February and October revolutions in Russia (if they occur in the game) including Kerensky becoming the Russian Prime Minister after the July Days (July 1917); the failure of General Kornilov’s coup in Russia (September 1917); the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918); and the execution of the Tsar and his family by the Russian government (July 1918).

Very impressive list,I like all the suggestion,certainly gives food for thought and I'm sure the game would benefit from them being added cheers.[:)]

ORIGINAL: kirk23

Adding more events is not the problem,they are pretty easy to do,the problem is what photo to use when the event occurs,because I have been told there might be copy right issues to consider.

Yes, I can see how that is a problem. What is involved in checking photographs?

This one would be OK for the "Japanese declare war on Germany" event in 1914 . . .



It shows Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baron Kato and I found it on . . .


http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/tsingtau_kato.htm

Yes I agree with you,if its freely available online,I see no reason why more photo's can't be used in game,I mean to say it's very nearly a Century since the first world war ended,I thought the copy-right restriction, only lasts for 50 or so years,and after that time period anything goes no?[&:]

ORIGINAL: kirk23

Very impressive list,I like all the suggestion,certainly gives food for thought and I'm sure the game would benefit from them being added cheers.[:)]

Thanks Kirk. Do you like the "Option 2" idea where the events are randomised and can have some effect on the game? If you do, I think the key thing would be to balance the list so that all the participants were represented on it and there were good and bad events for each of them. It would certainly add a bit of uncertainty and variation to the game (as would having winters of varying longevity) as well as "historical atmosphere". I will work on the secondary list today so you will have plenty of choice if you decide to add more events at some stage. If you want me to start hunting possible suitable photographs then please say.

I actually think the current "Belgium invaded" Special Event happens a turn early too because the German player hasn't actually moved when it appears.

Yes I really like option 2,having morale changes linked to key events, will add a bit more variation in game,and that can only be a good thing.[:)]

I could work my way through your list,and send you the files needed,that would then have your events show up in your games,what do you think of that Idea?[;)]

ORIGINAL: kirk23

Yes I agree with you,if its freely available online,I see no reason why more photo's can't be used in game,I mean to say it's very nearly a Century since the first world war ended,I thought the copy-right restriction, only lasts for 50 or so years,and after that time period anything goes no?[&:]

The Lordz people will know the procedure for photographs, won't they? I expect many of these older photos are out of copyright as you say.

ORIGINAL: kirk23

I could work my way through your list,and send you the files needed,that would then have your events show up in your games,what do you think of that Idea?[;)]

Yes, that would be very kind but do you think they could eventually be included for everyone? If so, I don't mind waiting for another patch.

Being made available for everyone would be the best option,but sometimes that's just not possible,hence the reason Mods are created.By the way I have done a possible Japan declares war on Germany event image.

ORIGINAL: kirk23

Being made available for everyone would be the best option,but sometimes that's just not possible,hence the reason Mods are created.By the way I have done a possible Japan declares war on Germany event image.

Have a chat with the Lordz people and see what they say, Kirk. My intention was for the list to be shared with everyone. If they say no then the files would be very welcome at some stage. Yes, that is a much better photograph than the one I suggested.

Does the game need more Special Events?

I do not know if the game needs more, but I love these historical "pop-ups" for the flair very much. [:)]
I would be pleased if the historical and/or special events would be extended.

Rather than come up with a "secondary list" I think these extra events can be added to the main list. They are mainly colonial and naval events outside the main European theatre . . .

German light cruiser SMS Emden bombards Madras (September 1914)
50% chance of occurring: German morale +2

German naval victory at Coronel for Admiral Graf Spee (November 1914)
50% chance of occurring: German morale +2

Germans defeated at Battle of Falklands (December 1914)
50% chance of occurring: German morale -2

Russian claims on Constantinople accepted by Britain and France (March 1915)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale +5

RMS Lusitania sunk by German U-boat (May 1915)
50% chance of occurring: USA more likely to enter war +5

German forces in South West Africa surrender (July 1915)
50% chance of occurring: German morale -2

Sanussi Campaign against the Allies in Libya (November 1915)
50% chance of occurring: British morale -2

German forces in Cameroon surrender (March 1916)
50% chance of occurring: German morale -2

German “Deutschland” merchant submarine reaches USA (July 1916)
50% chance of occurring: German morale +2

von Lettow-Vorbeck’s pro-German guerrilla forces in East Africa win major engagement at Mahiwa (October 1917)
50% chance of occurring: German morale +2

These 3 events would need to be linked to the February revolution in Russia . . .

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Milyukov, forced to resign after his “war note” re-affirming Tsarist war aims was published (May 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale +2

Kerensky becomes Russian Prime Minister after July Days and suppression of Bolsheviks (July 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale +2

General Kornilov’s attempted coup in Russia fails (September 1917)
50% chance of occurring: Russian morale +2

These 2 events would need to be linked to the October revolution in Russia . . .

Russian government signs the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918)
100% chance of occurring: war ends in Russia.

Tsar Nicholas II and family executed by the Russian government (July 1918)
100% chance of occurring: no impact

This event could be included at the point of German surrender . . .

German revolution begins with mutinies in the navy (October 1918)

I have created another completely new event message,to go with the ANZACS arrival in Egypt,the French Army Of Africa,now have an event message,that gives a little background into this unit based at Algiers.[:)]

Screen shot of one off the new events in game,French Army Of Africa.

I thought you might also like to see the Pre-Dreadnought in game.[;)]

Another new event screen, Turkey Close Dardanelles.[;)]