Ideal Medieval Starting Period

Its seems that the problem with 1080 starting period in MTW2 is the fact that factions are usually lumped together for conveniences sake. Its understandable with the annoying fragmented politics in that era.

What would be your ideal starting medieval period timw that has:
1) enough diverse factions
2) states have not fragmented on a large scale yet.

My ideal starting time period would be AD904.

At this stage in history, the Abbasd Caliphate is starting to weaken but still formidable. Nomads from the Eurasian steppes are still a major threat with the Magyars recent new arrivals in the Danubian region. West Francia (France) and East Francia (Germany) are slowly developing their own distinctions. Italy, at least half of it, is united under a Frankish King in the Kingdom of Italy. YOu have other Muslim challengers that threaten the length and breadth of the Mediterranean Sea like the Ummayad Emirate of Cordova (later a Caliphate), the Fatimids (note in the map I upload, it shows the Aghlabids, because it is the year 900), The Tulunids of Egypt and the Idrissids in Morocco. The presence of the Fatimids will be an interesting struggle between the Sunnis and Shias. my idea closing period would be 1100, but thats just me anyways.

AND NO, this is not an idea for a MOD or telling CA what to do. Just wishful thinking thats all.

In total there are:
6 Muslim Factions:
Volga-Bulgaria, Tulunid Emirate, Abbasids, Idrissids, Fatimids and the Ummayad Emirate

2 Orthodox Factions:
Byzantium and Bulgaria

5 Pagan Factions:
Magyars, Principality of Kiev, Denmark, Norway, Poland

7 Catholic Factions:
West Francia, East Francia, Kingdom of Asturias/Galicia, Kingdom of Italy, Kingdom of Alba, Kingdom of Wessex and Great Moravia

I couldn't fit everyone in the starting 21, but hopefully with unlockable factions we could include the following as playable:

1) Papal States
2) Burgundy (Lower or Upper, don't care)
3) Croatia
4) Kingdom of Abhazia (not the same as Georgia)
5) Rashka (Serbia)
6) Kingdom of Tahert
7) Pechenegs (Patzinaks or Pigeoneggs)

Link to pic:
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/...0dotted9qd.jpg

I am no learned man of history, but I think what you have purposed is fairly solid. Of course, as long as their are plenty of nifty units and buildings to build, and many enemies to conquer I am a happy warrior :knight: .

Ideal Medieval Starting Period


https://img67.imageshack.us/img67/11...s3059256wn.png


england = "viking invasion" end A.D. 917
bulgaria = "slav faction" then A.D. 924
volga bulgaria = "muslim faction" then A.D. 921
karahanlıs = "muslim faction" then A.D. 924
hungary = "birth" A.D. 896
egypt = "resovereignty abbasi" A.D. 905
normandia- russia- fatimis- burgonia- provence- italy- hazars- croatia- serbia...
"new birth or existing still"

Actually England was conquered by Vikings again in 1012 and almost again in 1066

Well, personally, I'd rather have the game start around the same time the first MTW did (which is what they are doing this time, from what I understand), and later release an expansion pack that allows you to start during the late 700's or early 800's. Instead of being a stand-alone campaign like VI and BI, it would be just another era to start in, just as MTW had an Early, High, and Late Era which flowed into one another.

I realize that period is a good bit earlier, but the main reason I advocate it is because I'd really like to play the Vikings as a "united" Scandinavian faction. I realize that's pretty much pure fantasy, but its even more fanciful later on when Norway, Denmark, and Sweden have all become seperate kingdoms. :viking:

Since we're already at wishful thinking, I'd like to be able to choose the starting date per year from 700 on with a starting position that reflects the actual situation at that time.

CA officialy announced 1080 as starting year. This thing is done.

I'd like to start in 732AD just before the Battle of Tours. I don't know what the rest of the situation in Europe was at that time, but I'd like to start there just so I could refight that battle, conquer all of France and help the Christians in Spain with the reconquista.

Ideal Medieval Starting Period A.D. 925 ...

before periods absent.. of today nations...




ideal periods: 925- 1090- 1215- 1345 ... game end: 1492



or : 925- 1060- 1175- 1290- 1365 ... game end: 1505

Hi
I think , ideal medieval starting period A.D. 1071

I would opt for the period 550AD to 1400AD. The collapse of Roman power heralded the birth of the nations we know today and their formulative years are generally overlooked and labelled as dark ages

.....Orda

How about starting in 630?

I would like to play the defence of the Byzantine Empire against the Arabs. If there is an expansion set it should be Arab Invasion.

I think around 1080 is fine for now. It allows us to play at the height of the feudal age and slowly through to the end of the Middle Ages.

Think about the variation in units and technology - around 1080 on would defenitely have the most variety and balance.

1072, the year after the the disaster at manzikert. That sounds a good time to start the game. Either that or the start of alexius commenus reign in 1081, right before his battle with Robert Guiscard at Durazzo