User Guide

130
game, and which countries you will each play.
Once you’re ready to begin, the player who
will host the game will click the “create game”
button to launch the game’s multiplayer lobby.
The other players will then see the game listed
in the Metaserver and can click on it to join.
The Metaserver will take care of the details of
establishing the connection.
Because this is a free and public worldwide
service that may be used by people of all ages,
we ask that you remain polite and respectful of
all other members when using the Metaserver.
It is considered impolite to use inappropriate
or vulgar language, and etiquette suggests that
you not join a listed game without first discuss-
ing your intentions with the host.
Once players have selected their countries
in the multiplayer lobby, the host may click
“play” to start the game. The Metaserver will
ensure that all players are correctly connected,
and then hand the game off to the host. From
that point forward, play will continue just as
though you had used the “host” and “join in-
ternet game” method of starting a game.
Multiplayer Gameplay
There are very few differences between a single
player game and multiplayer game. Although
the AI of Europa Universalis III is quite com-
petent, there is no greater challenge than to pit
yourself head-to-head against another human
player. Large-scale multiplayer games that in-
volve many players in close proximity to one
another, all vying for supremacy, is the ulti-
mate test of your mastery over the game.
Human players tend to seek any opportu-
nity to exploit or gain an advantage over one
another, but are also able to form more com-
plex informal alliances and detailed strategies
than the AI will normally be willing or able to
consider. To accomplish this, players need to
be able to communicate with one another in
the game. To send a message to another player,
press the “tab” button on your keyboard. This
will open a small chat window at the bottom
of the screen with the name and shield of each
player listed across the top of the area, and sev-
eral special filter buttons at the left.
The buttons are used to select the players
who should receive your message. Click on a
player’s name to include him in the list of re-
cipients. If you change your mind, click the
player’s name again to prevent him from re-
ceiving your communication. You can quickly
select all players by clicking the “all” button
at the left. You can also select only the players
whose countries are currently allied to yours
(“allies”) or only the players who are currently
at war with you (“foes”). Type your message in
the box, and then press the “enter” key on your
keyboard. The text will appear on the screen
and in the history log of all players you have
selected to receive the message. They can then
reply using the same technique.
There are a few rules that you should remember
that will affect multiplayer games:
• A human player can never be inherited by
another country. If you often create roy-
al marriages with other countries in the
hopes of inheriting them when their ruler
dies, you should be aware that this tactic
will not work against another player.
• The usual single-player rules for determin
-
ing alliance leaders are slightly different
in multiplayer games. If you are allied to
another player and either declare war or
are the subject of a declaration, your ally
will receive a notification of this and will
be asked to support you in the war. If he
agrees, he could become the alliance leader
if his nation is larger than your own. He
will then be in a position to negotiate a