New details on Paradox Interactive's Victoria 2

Paradox Interactive released new details today on their massive strategy game, Victoria 2. The more details that I read on this, the more I want to try this game out. Players start as the monarch of their nation in the 19th century, and through a complex maxtrix of technological, economical and politcal decision making, you can guide your nation through the game with the ultimate goal of becoming the most powerful nation of the 20th century.

Superficially similar Civilization, Victoria 2 is much more focused on the geopolitical and economical aspect in providing nation-building simulation entertainment. Paradox touts that Victoria 2 allows players to negotiate  trade agreements and treaties with other nations, both friend and foe, and a unique goal-setting system which gives players and awareness of the intent of the AI opponents and allows for a more player-AI interactive experience.

Make no mistake, the army-building, battle-oriented system familiar to so many gamers has not been ignored, and while trying to economically overpower your opponents, there is still nothing like the brute force of your army marching forth to get the job done.

Victoria 2 allows players to chose from over 200 nations from which to build an empire, and select from 8 different forms of goverment to rule your nation however you see fit. Manage production of goods, discover technological advances and expand your borders and population. After playing other civilization building games, this seems to me to be all of those with a strategic complexity never previously explored. I will be lining up on August 13th to try out this game.