Europa Universalis IV FAQ
What is Europa Universalis IV?
Europa Universalis IV is a historical grand strategy game about the centuries from the Renaissance of the mid 15th century to the Age of Napoleon in the early 19th century. You can play as any nation that existed in this time period, building up its economy, discovering new worlds, making allies, conquering rivals and writing a new history of the world. There are no turns - time moves continuously - so the world is always shaping around you, sometimes just out of sight, meaning that a once solid plan can come undone very quickly if you are reckless.
Fortunately, you can always pause or slow the game to give orders, so you are never truly overwhelmed by the number of important decisions you will need to make as king, emperor, doge, khan or chief.
What is the difference between an Expansion Pack, an Immersion Pack and a Content Pack?
As is generally reflected in the pricing, you can think of these different add-ons in terms of their scope.
Expansion Packs usually include major new game features that will apply to a large number of nations. These are not necessary features (we give away many feature changes in free game updates), but can enhance the player experience in new and interesting ways. Expansion packs may also include dramatic changes to how certain nations work.
Immersion Packs have a tighter focus than Expansions. They are usually thematic, touching on a specific region or culture, and include smaller features or missions that pertain to these regions or cultures.
Content Packs (and Unit Packs) are purely cosmetic add-ons, and typically include new art for land and naval unit sprites, and, sometimes, advisor character portraits. Some content packs can include new music or other art, as well.
Are some expansions more important than others?
What you find important is probably very connected to the subjects you find most interesting. If you are really intrigued by East Asian history, you will want to buy Mandate of Heaven, for example, but if you really just want to focus on the Reformation, then, maybe, Emperor will be enough for you. Read up on the included features for each and choose add-ons that suit your specific needs.