User Guide

23
that will allow you to tog-
gle the settings on and off
directly in the game. You
can do this by right-click-
ing on a line in the history
log, or by right-clicking
anywhere in a message
box. This allows you to
alter the setting for that
message type without go-
ing through the longer
process of opening the message settings inter-
face and locating the message type in the list.
Events
Europa Universalis III has a large number of
special “events” that may occur within your
country during the course of play. Events will
appear on your screen in a message box and
will usually require some sort of decision as to
how you would like to respond to them. There
are two different types of events: random and
historical.
Historical events are based on the recorded
past as we know it, and will occur when the sit-
uation in the game world closely approximates
the situation that caused it to happen in history.
Because the game situation can diverge from
recorded history fairly easily, we have based
these events on the root causes that are gener-
ally accepted as having contributed to the event
taking place in “real life”. This means that a
historic event can happen to any nation that
satisfies the criteria we have established for the
event.
You will be given at least two choices of
how to respond to a historical event, and your
decision will often have a large, long-term im-
pact on the development of your nation. Some
events are beneficial; others may be quite
the opposite. Many are “neutral” and simply
present you with a choice to make along your
road into the future. You will often be equally
as likely to succeed no matter which path you
take, but the methods you will use to achieve
victory will probably be different.
Random events are
somewhat more generic
in nature. They provide
a little added spice and
unpredictability to the
game, but their effects
are usually not as great
(in either extreme) as
those you will receive
from historical events.
You may receive a gift
of gold to your treasury or perhaps your peas-
ants may cower in superstitious fear for a short
while after sighting a meteor. You should be
ready to take advantage of the good events, and
to overcome any problems that arise from the
less beneficial ones.
The type and frequency of events will vary
considerably depending on what is happening
in your particular game’s version of history. It
is not practical to list all of them here (there are
hundreds) but each will include a descriptive
text that explains the historical context of the
event, and will usually have at least two possi-
ble options that you may choose when deciding
how to respond to them. Hovering your mouse
over each option’s text will display a tool tip
with the precise details of what will happen if
you choose that action. Very few events have a
“right” or a “wrong” choice. Most simply present
two or more alternative paths, either of which
may have negative implications or benefits. Just
select the option that you feel is most suitable
for your country in your current situation.
Alerts
You will receive a number of
special “alerts” or reminders
that should help you to man-
age your realm. These are usually displayed
when the game feels that there is something
important that you might have overlooked and
could require your immediate attention. Alerts
appear as small red flags near the top of the
Main Map. You can hover your mouse over the
alert to see view the message, or click on it to