Well Caravel,
in that case i propose that you try EB 0.8 next time you feel like giving RTW another chance. Its worth it, in that at least you'll learn a lot.

As for GA and the Pope, i sincerely on the other hand liked those aspects, i just wish they were more varied. For example the Italians (or Venetians in XL) could make GA points for every say 4000 florins they could "cash in" the GA counter (allowing them to concentrate on building and defending a trade empire), the Byzantines could have more religious goals (as well as the Patriarch as equivalent to the Pope - i would love a utual excom screen or trying to mend the schism for political gains) and -4 loaylty for their provincial and political titles (to reflect the common rebellions & usurpations).

The thing i disliked about vanilla was the fact that excoms didn't last enough and Crusades were like bread and butter. These though were fixed in various mods.

All in all GA was a great opportunity, as they could give several viable long term strategies in every faction to win the game, without having to conquer too much instead of giving GA points/no of provinces conquered.

Another feature i always advocated was the homeland recruitment that the MedMod and your mod use, as well as a "cultural similarity" meter that would determine loyalty under conquerors - say the spanish would find it hard to keep the sweeds loyal under their rule.

Anyway, this is a thread about how much beautiful Shogun is and how much great atmosphere it has: