LGDR for foreigners

Just out of interest, I know there are a number of Ex-Pats & also non-British players in many positions in various games, so I thought I would post this question I hope it is not seen as a Nationalistic Post.

I was just wondering if people outside the British Isles find it easier to play a position that is some how linked to the place they live, I know from previous postings that people visiting places on Holidays gain a degree of satisfaction visiting places featured in game, so I wonder if actually living in such places actually influences how people play. Is it easier for example for an Italian to play one of the Italian states as you most probably have more access to research material in your Native language, or are aware of local quirks & customs, local personalities & locations that people not native to the area don't have.

Personally living & working in Germany I came across a lot of material that I would never have found if I was in England, so I wonder if other people have ahd a similar experience?

Although not TGOK, I chose to play my Yorkshire Swashbuckler character because I'm from Yorkshire and chose the Anglican faith because its the area of Christianity that I'm most familiar with (which isn't saying a lot). I have to say my game play has benefited from my familiarity, of speech pattern and geographical knowledge, and choosing the Temper disadvantage was also due to suffering such, myself, when younger, so I could relate and use my own experiences to role play.

I've suffered when playing TGOK positions, previously, as I was too alien to them and couldn't roleplay them properly. With Rozwi, I'm lucky, in that, I've found a place where I can visualise and imagine the practices of day to day events - even though I'm not a Black South African with such links, myself.

I don't see this as a Nationalistic Post, and there is some truth in what you've suggested - at least, to me and my own experiences.

I know Russia in G9 is Italian

First off, no this isn't a nationalistic post.

I think living in an area does effect your game play for the good. I have found living and working in Scotland has made it easier and more interesting to play the nation. More so not living in the central belt, it's helped me understand the rest of the country and given me access to aspects of the local history I would never have had otherwise-for example I doubt I would otherwise have found out that in the early 18th Century that there was a large important paper-making industry in and around Aberdeen

Jason wrote:First off, no this isn't a nationalistic post.

I think living in an area does effect your game play for the good.  I have found living and working in Scotland has made it easier and more interesting to play the nation.  More so not living in the central belt, it's helped me understand the rest of the country and given me access to aspects of the local history I would never have had otherwise-for example I doubt I would otherwise have found out that in the early 18th Century that there was a large important paper-making industry in and around Aberdeen

The paper was probably needed for adverts and bills of sale............for Aberdeen's Privateering Industry.

Nothing is linked to where I live (US west coast, Oregon) in game, but I've lived in Turkey, Spain, and Japan. So being spain in game 8 I've at least traveled the country.

The game does make me want to visit places I "rule" but it's most practical effect is that it gets me to read history that I would otherwise find far too dry to consume. When the history is about "you", it gets much easier to read dry accounts of period taxation and its challenges

I don't think the State of Alabama helps prepare me for anything either. I play typically as the UK and spend time reading (taught history for years). Two LGDR and one Scramble game is enough for me at the moment.

One interesting thing I have also found is to read history from the perspective of non-English nations, Reading about how the other Nation saw English/ British involvement in a specific era/ war can be quite enlightening in some cases, especially when it is written by a a person from the other country.

Deacon also makes a good point about delving into the realms of history normally too dull & dusty for many of us to stomach, lets be honest most of us read about the Generals & their great battles to get our minds going, some how taxes & land reclamation in the C18th doesn't have quite the same glamorous appeal.

Stuart Bailey wrote:

Jason wrote:First off, no this isn't a nationalistic post.

I think living in an area does effect your game play for the good.  I have found living and working in Scotland has made it easier and more interesting to play the nation.  More so not living in the central belt, it's helped me understand the rest of the country and given me access to aspects of the local history I would never have had otherwise-for example I doubt I would otherwise have found out that in the early 18th Century that there was a large important paper-making industry in and around Aberdeen

The paper was probably needed for adverts and bills of sale............for Aberdeen's Privateering Industry.

A very ancient and honourable Aberdonian industry

Kingmaker wrote:I know Russia in G9 is Italian

Here I am

Ciao Amici (hello friends)

First time I've played The Glory of King (or La Gloire du Roi as it was known) i played the Pope in G2 or 3. That is because not only the Papal State was the nation containing Bologna, my hometown, but also because i could play a Pope from my hometown, Benedict XIV.

But the papacy was not all that fun to play, to be honest.

Now as an Italian i can experience a peculiar way of playing because Italy was quite not a thing in XVIIIth century. Just Savoy was Independent, but still not strong, and Venice was a declining power. The most potential regions, Milan and Naples, were under foreign control, so i have to admit that many times, given the background knowledge, i was tempted to play one of those positions.
The richest, powerful and advanced should be Milan. But i also have to say that it would be probably extremely difficult to recreate an Italian kingdom in that age. Not only you should take over 4/5 playing positions (Savoy, Milan, Venice, Genoa, Tuscany and northern papacy) but also deal with Spain for south Italy, and a lot of Catholic nations for Rome.

So, on one hand, yes, i know a lot, i can see a lot (and if you are the HRE i can give you tonnes of good hints for Tyrol) and i'm aware some positions have an enormous potential. On the other hands, it is unrealistic and extremely difficult to unleash it.

If i can remember correctly there is another "foreigner" who is from Norway. Might be interesting to see if we can have a Norse nationalistich reaction against Danish rule in one game at least!