Starting a Game[edit]

Choosing Multiplayer from the Main Menu will lead you to the Multiplayer Interface.

Europa Universalis IV supports games with up to 32 players, though that upper limit is better reserved for LAN games. Internet games are ideally limited to about 12 players. One player will be the game’s host, and the other players will be clients. The Host should be the player with the fastest and most reliable internet connection, and naturally the host should also be a reliable player.

Due to the massive amounts of data transferred between the clients and the host, one really shouldn’t try playing Multiplayer through a dial-up modem.

Preliminary Requirements[edit]

Before launching the game, verify that your system is set up to receive and transmit data. Typically you will not need to make any changes, but some firewall and system settings can block game transmissions.

Because there are so many different types of routers, firewalls, and other hardware and software configurations, it is impossible for this little manual to give comprehensive instructions for your specific setup. The same issues also make it impossible to automate the setup process. Please refer to your firewall and router settings and make any changes as necessary, to ensure that the game can send and receive data.

The host should also determine their IP address and share that information with the other players.

Multiplayer Start Interface[edit]

When you reach the Multiplayer Start Interface, you are ready to play. Before you get started, you must enter a name in the entry field. This is the name everyone will see and know you by.

  • Host – If you wish to Host a game, click here to establish either a LAN game or

an Internet game. After that you may choose the type of game you wish to play, and choose a name for the game session. Click Host from inside that interface and you will be taken to the Lobby where you will wait for the other players to join in.

  • Join LAN Game – When you launch the interface, it automatically begins

scanning for LAN games. When discovered, they should appear in the window at the top. Just click on the game you want and click Join LAN Game. You will be taken to the Lobby where you will wait for others to join, and then the game will begin.

  • Join Internet Game – If you will be joining a game hosted over the Internet,

click Join Internet Game and enter the host’s IP address. Once you have done this, your computer will attempt to establish a connection with the host computer. When the connection has been made, you will be taken to the Lobby, where you will wait for the others to join. If instead it cannot connect, please wait a moment and try again, or contact the host to verify that you have the correct IP address.

  • Finding More Players – If you don’t already have a bunch of friends eager to

hop online and play Europa Universalis IV with you, fret not. Select the Community Tab in the Multiplayer Interface to meet new friends and arrange games. Another great way to find online opponents is to register your game on the Paradox Forums at forum.paradoxplaza.com. This gives you access not only to the Multiplayer forum, but also to the Technical Support forum and the Mods forum, so it is a good idea to register.

The Lobby[edit]

The Lobby is where the players gather before a Multiplayer game. The Lobby resembles the Single Player start Interface. It falls to the host to choose the start date, whether bookmarked or manually selected – or to load a saved Multiplayer game. Once every player has selected a country, the game is ready to begin. If you are playing a Saved game, first let the Host load the save game, and then wait as the data is automatically sent to each client.

While in the lobby you can chat with other players through the text box at the bottom of the map.

Gameplay[edit]

Gameplay in a multiplayer game proceeds as normal from this point onwards, though you will find human opponents a powerful and unique challenge. Remember, though, that since this game is played by people of diverse ages and social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, always be polite and respectful towards your fellow players.