War is Inevitable: AoI 4.0 Japan

Japan starts off with various advantages and disadvantages, as detailed. The ability to have short turn times and regional superiority, however, is a definite perk to the position. Our first order of business is to build Deep Water Harbors in all cities so as to supplement population growth. Our workers will be tasked with increasing production in the meantime; we need all the shields we can get. Many of Japan’s cities are very vulnerable with only weak Home Guards (those 3 HP units) to defend them, and a sizable Cossack Horde would plow right through Korea. Our naval units, meanwhile, are sent southward towards the Philippines. It is inevitable that we will go to war, and the Philippines’ coastal cities are a prime target for Japanese ships, not to mention Spain is so far away they’re pretty much screwed.

A good opening move in any AoI game is to replace all irrigation with mines. As there’s only one food required for population growth, citizens come out like candy and there’s no need to worry about starvation. Our workers are tasked with just that.



As there is no tech trading or theft in AoI, falling behind is definitely something to be avoided. This in mind, we run a deficit of -27 per turn given that we started with 1000 gold. In addition, our tech beeline is towards Theory of Flight, as that carries a Great Wonder that will give us two free techs.



Week 17, Portugal demands tribute. Thinking Macau would be an excellent addition, we refuse. True to form, they just mutter insults and then run away.



Week 21, the Brits try the same tactic. In no position to fight Britain at present, we must yield.



America does the same thing, and likewise, we are no in no position to fight the Yanks.

Week 33, enough riots have convinced us to turn citizen mood management over to Governors, because good lord. Stadiums are also commissioned in all cities that finish factories so as to help relieve the financial burden of having citizens be clowns instead of taxmen.



Week 37, Argentina demands tribute and is sent out on their ass. As with Portugal, they do nothing.

Week 41, due to lack of competition for the X-Ray Machine (which can be built at the start of the game but requires a Research lab), all research is shut off for three turns, allowing Japan to reap 600+ gold per turn. It would be a waste of money to keep researching when we’ll get our tech of choice for free.



Week 49 ends with Japan weeks away from inventing the X-Ray Machine, while workers continue to tirelessly work for the cause of the Empire in converting all irrigation to mines. In the face of constant discontent, shrinking the food supply has never seemed like a more apt policy. Perhaps this is why the British have made a habit of exacerbating famine in their own territories?

France demands tribute and is given it. Japan must build its economic base in peace before it can focus on militarism.



We secure the X-Ray Machine, using it to take Armored Cruisers I and (deviating from the current tech branch) Colonial Admin I. Col. Admin I is of great importance as it allows the construction of Colonial Cosncript Workers, who are the only way to obtain additional workers without waiting for your capital (and some wonders) to spawn a Civil Engineer, the more powerful, industrial-type worker. As Taiwan is a colonial territory, it can be used to begin churning out these units for use in the motherland.

Korea, meanwhile, auto-generates 3 raw materials units, which are normally exclusive to the colonial territories. Raw materials units, for those unfamiliar with AoI, are basically like the Princess in vanilla Civ, rewarding the player with 25 gold and 2 Victory Points upon return to a VP location, which is normally the capital, two or three trenches, and a port.



The European powers continue to show their racist feelings of supremacy when Scandinavia comes knocking for money in Week 9. They are rejected and make a silent retreat, as happened with all other rejected extortionists.



All is quiet until Week 25, when La Plata comes a-knocking for some tribute. They are sent packing.



Russia, on the other hand…



Week 29, we declare the Filipinos to be our bros. This not only gives us some extra cash, but allows us to station ships in their territory, nice and close to the Spanish menace. We also ink a treaty with the Spanish so as to get through their territory.



Week 45 sees the publishing of a great novel in Tokyo. The novel enjoys great state aid given that it serves as a source of cultural pride. It also boosts happiness in the city so that’s good; less money wasted on entertainment.

Mexico demands money in Week 49, but we reject them, informing them that they have their own populace to steal money from. The same goes for the Turks. If the world wants a share of Japan’s riches, they’ll have to take them.

With Industrialization I’s discovery in Week 49, we receive word the British are preparing to host the Olympic Games. While it’d be possible for Japan to one-up them, we are more interested in the slew of discoveries to come from mastering Flight. In the meantime, it shows that we are more or less on par with Britain technologically, which is a definite plus.

The year concludes with a race to set up the necessary research infrastructure to send Japan forward technologically in the coming months (there are four Wonders coming up that grant two techs each, but they all require a Research Lab).



In absence of much of interest this fair year, have a world map.

Week 5, word arrives America is researching what will become Aspirin. This implies them to be far along the bottom half of the tech tree, but fortunately what little it buys them pales in comparison to the boon one gets from researching the upper half’s wonders. Thousands of gold that have been saved up are being splurged building research labs in time for the Wonder race.

Meanwhile, to help cover the massive hole that’d been torn in the budget, RoP agreements were sold to all the various minor powers for lump sums of gold. The few hundred gold generated from these deals pales in comparison to the thousands spent on getting Research Labs ready to crack out wonders, but it helps.



The Wright Brothers set up shop in Tokyo, the Japanese government having been the most interested by far in their designs. For civilian reasons. Naturally.



The Wright Brothers’ invention causes a cascade of other prospective inventors to make their designs known to the Tokyo regime. Foresight tells us each of these inventions would yield an additional two technologies… thus making Japan the technological superpower by far.

Week 29, it becomes apparent the Germans and British are engaged in competing bids for both the World Fair and the Olympic Games. Despite that, the British host the first World Olympics in Dublin in Week 33. The British follow it up by hosting the World Fair in Middlesborough in Week 37. Japan celebrates by reducing Research to 0% given that the Vacuum Tube is on the way.



The Chinese try their luck in Week 49. They threaten to eat Japan. When Japan says that it always wondered what dragon soup tastes like, China is swift to back down and claim it was just kidding.



The vacuum tube is perfected in Tokyo, leading to a new set of discoveries in the fields of medicine and colonial administration. Japan’s medical knowledge is so advanced, in fact, that we almost go after Aspirin; a quick investigation of New Orleans reveals this would be fruitless, however.

So concludes 1897. Japan has spent three years at peace, and with a tech lead looking to be well within Japan’s grasp, it can begin the long road towards a military buildup.

Week 9 sees the Japanese knowledge of the atom enormously increased. As part of this scientific revolution, Japan uncovers the deadliest technology ever invented in warfare…





…the Maxim Gun!

Maxims will begin circulation soon, but for now, saw mills and the like are a must; Agricultural Refining and Advanced Mining Techniques are two techs on the bottom half of the tree that do wonders for production by unlocking improvements that increase shield yield.



In Week 13, Americans in Hawai’I were able to pick up a Japanese radio signal. While it had only crossed half the Pacific, Japanese propagandists nonetheless said Japan had perfected the first transoceanic radio signal.



Things fall silent across Japan as the country tirelessly works to build up its industrial base. The government spends much of the money it has accrued from savings on research (while research is currently at maximum efficiency) to develop mines, mills, and plantations.



The Austrians are not a challenge on their own, but their being perma-allied to Germany makes Japan yield to their demands.



Week 49, the Gold Standard is completed in Tokyo. Armed with financial stability and industrial fortitude, Japan is nearly ready to begin a massive arms buildup. By the end of the century, Japan will be on its way towards ruling the Philippines.

Week 13, we give the Americans their regular extortion payment of 100 gold. They’ll get their comeuppance soon enough.



We give the Germans what they want because that is a really hilarious modification by the AoI team there. Germany’s actions embolden Russia, who is likewise paid off.

Week 21, we sign a pact with the French to obtain rights through their territory; Indochina’s coastal waters are immensely valuable to any campaign against Manila. It only costs 6 gpt to keep the French happy, too, so it’s chump change.

Week 25, we discover Espionage, but more importantly…



Germany and France go to war. It is decided that maybe an exercise against Tsingtao wouldn’t be too unreasonable once the sufficient land forces are built up. In the meantime, Germany and Austria will hopefully tear France apart. It is hoped the French also take some German colonies, so as to build up a better anti-British presence in Africa.



The completion of the chemical plant in Tokyo pushes shield production into over 200 per turn in the city, enough to construct a new battleship every month/turn.

Tokyo focuses its efforts on the construction of chemical weapons, however, while other cities pick up the naval slack. The result is Japan churning out a new naval battleship roughly every month.



As battleships begin to funnel towards Tsingtao, an Anglo-Russian War erupts in Week 33. With so many majors besides the US now caught in large wars, Japan has more freedom to bust a cap in whoever’s ass.



Our invasion of Tsingtao is hampered somewhat by a horde of Russian naval units pouring southward to strike Shanghai.



We complete a chemical weapons program in Tokyo in Week 37. It produces a Chlorine Gas Shell every 8 turns, which is a nice supplement to any artillery you may have.

With Tsingtao proving hard to get to with Russian interference and the effectiveness of the Russian fleet taken into account, it was decided that a short war with Britain to acquire Shanghai would be attempted.



Week 49 sees the forming of Japan’s Military Academy just in time for the new century. The Academy makes veteran units possible, making it invaluable to a military campaign.

All reports from around the world show no territorial changes, but every day the other majors spend at war is another day Japan can build itself up without fear of being a victim. Having proven itself to be a useful punching bag to Britain, France, and the like, it makes sense the European powers do not bother to invade us; what fools they are, in retrospect

With Tokyo cranking out a veteran cavalry every 2 turns, we are laying the foundations for an invasion force. Our cavalry, supported by the artillery power of our navy, will be a formidable force, especially once they are in turn armed with Maxim Guns to secure any gains.

The Balkans demand cash, but they’re not as lucky as the others, being too far away and too weak to be a threat.

Week 25, we build our first Maxim Gun in Kagoshima. As most cities are defended by weak Home Guards, this is a definite improvement.



Week 29, the Mahdists go to war with Britain. The Mahdists are a pet civilization of mine that I always mod into my own AoI game. Historically the Mahdists were a huge headache for the British in Sudan, and when I mod them into AoI, that’s an understatement. They start with two City Guards in each of their four cities, making them a tough nut to crack, and also start with several Cavalry to attack with. They can easily ruin the day of any European in the Horn of Africa.



Week 33, nutbunnies, the Anglo-Russian War ends. No territory changed hands, but it did highlight the vulnerability of the British colonies in China. With the war’s end, however, Britain would be able to focus its full naval assets on any Japanese aggressor, and so the decision is made not to attack them after all. Full focus returns to Spain.

Week 45, with all cities building military units, Japan’s economy is formally mobilized for war. Japan sports 29 Battleships and 6 Cavalry, a definite threat to any coastal city. Transports are assembled so as to finally set in motion the Spanish-Japanese War. Manila is reported to have a force composed almost entirely of Colonial Infantry, so once the City Guard force there is taken out, the city is history.



Week 49 concludes with Japan’s arms buildup accelerating by the day as imported workers from Taiwan do their best to assist with setting up mines and railways. Dozens of ships now lay offshore from the Philippines, and once a good stack of land units is assembled, the time will come for a slow, steady expansion at Spain’s expense.

All hell has officially broken loose. Germany and Austria are now at war with both France and Britain. With reports of French occupation of both Togoland and most of Cameroon, it is anticipated Germany will soon be bereaved of its empire, leaving Africa more or less divided between the French and British Empires.



Well there goes Canada. It is hoped the Brits and Americans make peace quick, because it would really suck if the Ameroblob is unstoppable come the invasion of the West Coast.

Week 17, the Central Powers sign a peace accord with France. That at least allows them to focus on the British, which is probably for the worst now that it’s also getting hammered by the Americans.

Week 21 arrives, and we have 10 offensive units in Transports, backed by 2 Maxims, ready to invade Manila at a moment’s notice. Nearly 50 ships, half of them Battleships, are capable of serving as artillery against the large city.



A testament to Japan’s great future is seen in two statistics. Despite a lack of conquests, Japan’s power has increased – this implies that it is building units faster per capita than other nations. This correlates well with Japan’s status as the 5th most productive nation; productivity is a measure of shields per citizen, after all. With only 8 Col. Infantry and 1 City Guard protecting Manila, the order is given to strike.



Manila’s surrounding countryside is rich, but the city itself has incredibly poor defenses, courtesy of Japanese shelling.



Manila falls with the loss of two Cavalry. The assault is a success regardless, and with Manila’s acquisition the remaining provinces of the Philippines are not far behind.

Week 29, the British and Mahdists sign a peace accord; the Mahdists only retain control of Khartoum. In some games the Mahdists are a beast, but it looks like luck wasn’t on their side this time around!

As Manila breaks out in riots in Week 29, the order is given to shell Lloilo and its 3.5 million (26 pop units) people.



Apparently wanting to share the fate of their fellow Iberians, Portugal demands tribute in Week 37. They’re rejected and told they better keep an eye on Macau if they know what’s good for them. Meanwhile, Lloilo is reduced to only 10,000 people due to bombardment devastating the entire island. Troops ready up for a second offensive.

Week 37, we enter a new era, 1905-1914. It is no surprise it is much more expensive than the prior era; even at maximum we can only have a new tech in 5 turns whereas in the prior era we could have a new one every 4, and that was with the slider at 50%! We make a beeline for Classical Conditioning, however, which will grant free tech.



Lloilo falls with no losses. As the French fleet blocks the route to Mindanao, it is decided to kick the Spanish off Luzon by taking Tacloban in the southeast.

The British come asking for 100 gold in Week 41, and they are given it. The Japanese Foreign Ministry construes this as strategic aid to fend off the Americans.



The Spanish invade Korea in Week 45 with two Colonial Infantry. The Trans-Siberian has proven quite the useful thoroughfare, to say the least, which is why caution must be exercised with any European wars.

Spain’s forces are so thinly spread that Japan manages to take two cities at once in Week 45. The death toll so far is about 9 million or so, but that’s primarily in civilians and so doesn’t concern us much. The widespread elimination of Spanish loyalists throughout the archipelago works to reinforce Japan’s power there, after all.

Week 49, the Austrians demand 100g and go so far as to call Japan cowardly for accepting. For the time being, Japan ignores this slight and once more, imagines such tribute as being strategic aid.

As troops prepare to conquer Davao and kick the Spanish out of the Philippines, Japan begins to ponder its next objective. What is clear is that Russia poses a nuisance at best and a threat at worst, with its Trans-Siberian railway allowing not just its own forces but those of other European powers to attack Japanese territory. Seizing the Russian Far East would both eliminate this threat and also allow Japan to sink the Russian navy, which has proven itself quite the irritant by obstruction of straits around Japan.

Davao goes from a city of 3.7 to 2.1 million before it is seized.



With a good ten million or so plus Spanish subjects killed, it is decided that the Caroline Islands and Guam are not worth the effort with how small they are. The Philippines are occupied and their coal/iron deposits secured, and so the time has come for a period of rebuilding. A treaty is signed with Spain to end the war and a huge indemnity is secured. The Spanish are humiliated by being the first European imperial power to be bested by a “mere” Asian power.



Just in time, as well, as the Spanish are sending increasing amounts of forces against Korea, not all of which are really easily picked off by Japanese Infantry.

It is then decided that after a few turns’ worth of rebuilding, the Filipinos will be wiped off the map so as to eliminate them as a liability. Batangas presumably will be easily torn to pieces.



Week 9, we set up an intelligence agency. This will help us better determine targets in times of war.

As preparations are made for a quick annihilation of the Filipino insurgency, it becomes apparent Manila is to be the second most productive city in Japan – 153 shields per turn and that’s even without full railroads, mines, and shield-increasing improvements. The war with Spain was worth it for this city alone! Apparently placing Coal and Iron next to it in this version of the map was the equivalent of feeding it economic steroids.

Week 17, thank God, the US and Britain sign a peace accord. Canada remains intact except for a single city being taken. The British position’s power is noted to have weakened a bit, but America’s has stayed constant… implying the Canadian War was a bloody one indeed.

27 Filipino Riflemen and 1 City Guard protect the city of Batangas. With minimal ability to counterattack, however, the city is a vulnerable target. The city produces a new Rifleman every 4 turns, but the Right of passage with the rebels doesn’t expire for 5 turns. Japan bides its time…



Week 25, Europe officially goes Charlie Foxtrot. Britain is now at war with Austria, Germany and France, turning Africa into a free for all. If nothing else, it will do a great deal to relieve pressure on the German forces in Africa, who only have Tanzania and a sliver of Cameroon left.



We complete Classical Conditioning, using it to grant us Mountain Guns and Advanced Biology. The latter grants Genetics, a wonder which also gives two more technologies. Japan is roaring ahead!

Meanwhile, production in Sapporo is sabotaged… it’s clear there’s a spy in the Japanese Empire somewhere, but for now, whoever’s engaging in such acts is of no consequence.

Week 29, production in Tokyo is sabotaged. The AI is more competent than suspected.

Week 33, the Central Powers and Britain sign a peace accord. Britain now is able to fight France one on one, but the power bar indicates that Britain’s suffered quite a bit despite its territorial gains at German expense – its power has decreased. The French demand tribute and are paid it, simply to spite the British.

Week 37, Japan’s military plans are stolen. Someone is clearly trolling.



Week 41, Japan founds the Red Cross, granting it a great edge over its enemies. The Red Cross allows units to heal in enemy territory.

Japan also scapegoats the hell out of the Filipinos for the espionage actions and declares war on them after tearing up the right of passage agreement. Batangas is shelled by dozens of ships.



The city’s defenders avoid being completely redlined due to their sheer numbers, but one of the trenches is taken, making it hard for Japanese forces to be dislodged.



Meanwhile, Europe gets interesting.



REAL interesting!



The discovery of Genetics grants us two new technologies, one of which will allow us to research the Theory of Relativity, which grants two new techs on its own. Wonder cascade, baby!

Shelling redlines the Filipino military completely this time around, helped in part by the Filipinos’ decision to send some of their Riflemen against Manila. The Manila City Guard is killed, a huge tactical coup for the Japanese military, as without it, they have very poor defenses.



The City of Batangas is caught mostly intact, and without the strong leadership of Aguinaldo, the units outside the city disperse into brigands and are picked off by local law enforcement.

Emilio Aguinaldo is placed under house arrest; according to the Japanese political fiction, Emilio was always a rebel against the Japanese, as they had inherited the legitimate rule of the Philippines, but as Emilio had helped in driving the Spanish out, he would be spared death. The Japanese government shows a rare act of mercy in sparing the Filipino administration, though it keeps them all under close guard and makes it clear the reprisal will be harsh should they try and take up arms against the new regime. In a symbolic move, Batangas is declared the capital of the Philippines, though Manila remains the effective center of it.

1902 draws to a close with the whole of the Philippines now under strong Japanese rule. As the Philippines see themselves the beneficiary of a large investment program, Japan decides to embrace peace… if only for a short period. Soon a new buildup will facilitate war against the European powers to ensure Japanese dominance in the Pacific Rim.

Week 5, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity spurs science on to a point we discover all sorts of economic developments. We are now inundated with possible wonders to build – the Olympic Games II, World D Fair II, and various international trades, to name a few!



Week 9, as we prepare ourselves for a surprise attack on Hong Kong, the Brazilians come knocking for money. They are rejected and business continues as usual.



The war in Europe gets more interesting with a Russo-Turkish War.

Just as the Brits seem like a tempting target, we see reason to possibly shift direction. The decision is made to destroy the British positions at Hong Kong and Shanghai, sue for peace, and then turn around and begin the process of removing the Russians from the Far East.



As something of a ruse, Japan throws the Olympic Games in Tokyo.



Meanwhile, Manila becomes the center of the international rum trade thanks to generous state grants. Take that, laissez-faire economics!

With Russia and France doing their part to keep the British forces occupied elsewhere, Japan declares war on the British Empire. At war’s start, Shanghai boasted a proud 10.8 million residents.



…the French take Shanghai in Week 17, so the plan to take the city is scrapped in favor of taking Hong Kong.

Week 21, the Americans are given protection money. As it stands, there is no desire for war with the United States. That will come in due time.



Tokyo hosts the World’s Fair mere weeks after the Olympics!



Manila builds the Constabulary, which generates a special (if somewhat low quality) unit every few turns. Nothing wrong with more manpower!

Hong Kong finds its defenders redlined, and with 37 million or so residents, things are sure to get bloody.



An unemployment crisis hits Japan in Week 25. There are no jobs left for workers to do; all tiles are mined and railroaded. Transports are commissioned to ferry the entire infrastructure labor force of Japan elsewhere.



While the overall result wasn’t as glorious as anticipate due to French interference, the Anglo-Japanese War has been a success, with Hong Kong secured. While the British refuse a peace treaty, we are not interested in hopping all over the Pacific at the moment, having gained our chief goal: removal of Britain from the immediate area. In the meantime, we sink a four-ship force in the Dutch East Indies, certain they contained troops bound for Mindanao.



We beat the Brits to constructing the Assembly Line, thus securing our tech lead as it grants two new technologies. We catch the Portuguese, meanwhile, trying to plant a spy in Tokyo… casus belli get!

Week 33, it becomes apparent we can now sign military alliances. The stars have aligned for a move against Russia indeed… Meanwhile, the Franco-Italian War ends with little changed.

War is declared on Portugal in retaliation for their treachery. Macau has 14 Col. Infantry to defend it, but the Japanese fleet is already in the area and they have a snowball’s chance in Hell of getting any useful reinforcements to the Pacific. Rather than take the city outright, Japan softens its defenders up and kills most of them, so as to allow the population to be wiped out in subsequent weeks.

Japanese tea takes the world by storm in Week 33, much to the chagrin of the British, who likely would have tried to dominate the globe with their Indian teas.



Meanwhile, Kagoshima becomes one of the epicenters of cinema, assisted by the totally coincidental burning down of Hollywood on the U.S. West Coast. The British respond by trying to set up industries in Wine, Cotton, and shipping.

Week 41, Persia is convinced by Britain to declare war on Russia. Russia retaliates by getting the Lowlands to declare war on Britain. Sensing the coming poopstorm, it is decided to bow out of the anti-British war as soon as possible.



Japan one-ups Britain (who had been working towards it elsewhere) by claiming the spot of number one international cruise liner manufacturer. The British are portrayed as being incompetent in Japanese propaganda, with men who intentionally ram into icebergs because they misconstrue the integrity of their vessels.



Japan ends the formal hostilities, but by no means the animosity, with a treaty that has Japan pay a small indemnity of 2 gpt. With Hong Kong being worth about 47 gpt with its contributions to both the treasury and scientific research, it’s a bargain. It also spares Japan the effort of fighting Britain’s hordes, thus allowing the European powers to cannibalise each other while Asia grows strong.

Even in Week 41, Macau still holds strong. Not because the Portuguese are strong, but because Japan continues to purposely hold back so as to ensure maximum civilian casualties and thus less possible resistance once the city is seized.

Week 45, Italy, Hispaniola, and La Plata go to war against Britain. The Dutch, meanwhile, declare war on us.

Fortunately, Japan finishes its Naval Academy, which generates Naval Infantry, rare but valuable units that are capable of launching amphibious assaults.



Macau is finally finished off after a large chunk of its population has been slaughtered. With its fall, there are now two Corps in operation in Asia, a great deterrent to any who might consider attacking Japan. In the meantime, the Japanese commander responsible for having destroyed so much of Macau makes the statement, “I found Macau made of wood and left it made of rubble.”

The Portuguese are asked to come to the table, but refuse. This is despite their being told they will likely lose Timor as well if they do not swallow their pride. The entire fleet heads southward with the fall of Macau, while money is splurged on production-increasing improvements in the homeland.

Germany and Chile also declare war on Japan courtesy of the Dutch. Whelp, time to break out the purse strings.



First, we get the Portuguese to surrender.

With three enemies – Germany, Chile, and the Lowlands – to take care of, this is sure to be an expensive endeavor. We declare war on Austria-Hungary simply because it will happen either way, before getting to work on alliances. We secure the aid of the British against the Germans. To ensure no European armies can harass Korea, we get the Russians to declare war on Germany and the Lowlands. We also get the French on board, thus flanking the German menace. America’s vast financial reserves will make it good at recruiting more allies, so we get them on board just for that reason – and to nullify the chance our fleet needs to return home. To flank the Austrians we acquire the Balkans and Italians as buddies. To those Chilean upstarts, we get friends in Argentina, La Plata, and Brazil. Finally, just for irony, we get the Portuguese against the Germans and Lowlands. The Spanish join against the Dutch and Germans. Scandinavia is recruited to harass Germany, meanwhile. The Chinese are promised Tsingtao if they will come on board. As a final alliance, the Ottomans are promised vengeance against the Habsburgs who have wronged them for so many generations at last.

We started with a surplus of 1519 gpt, but now only make 161 gpt. A world war is expensive indeed. Fortunately we can increase our surplus by dialing research back a bit. The best part about paying for such alliances in gold per turn is that if they are ever broken, Japan gets its money back, while the traitor is still stuck with a war.



The world is at war, with countless great powers aligned against the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Lowlands, along with their cohort Chile; many of those allied against the Central Powers are even at war with each other. 1904 is sure to be a dark year indeed for the human condition.

Britain declares war on America in a show of stupidity. Germany and Austria-Hungary begin declaring war on whoever attacks the other, leading to Europe quickly becoming a large anti-Central coalition.

Scandinavia declares war on France and Russia; Persia declares war on France.

The Germans lose control of Tsingtao, thus eliminating one of the fronts Japan would have to worry about.



Week 5, forces disembark on Borneo to liberate the former British colony of Brunei. Sibu is shelled heavily, slaughtering millions of pro-British citizens. Is the cure worse than the sickness?

Week 9, Argentina declares war on Britain, seeking to claim the Falklands, or Malvinas, as they prefer to call them.



At no losses, Japan makes considerable gains in Borneo, liberating Sibu and aggressively shelling the Dutch colonies. The city of Samarinda is deemed to be of particular importance – its central location makes it ideal for bombing just about the entirety of the Dutch East Indies by airship. Airships are being built back home, as the High Command feels that they would be a great supplement to Japanese naval vessels by merit of much faster travel times and ability to strike inland.

With much of the Dutch garrison massacred, we pass the turn, eagerly anticipating our new province of Borneo.

Week 13, Mexico declares war on America, and Persia declares war on Japan.



Pontianak is seized, leaving only Samarinda and half the island’s territory under Dutch control. With ships growing closer, that isn’t likely to last.

Week 17, Russia and Britain sign a peace accord. Now they can stop killing each other and focus on the German menace.

The French ruin what would have been an excellent offensive by blocking Japanese ships from reaching Samarinda in a single turn. Airships are called in as a precaution so as to help future sieges.

The damage to Europe’s economy is evident from quick examination; German Konigsberg was a city of 101 prior to the war’s start but now it is size 96.

Week 21, the Lowlands declare war on China. Argentina and Central America go against France. The Boers declare war on Italy, while the Central Americans also declare war on the Ottomans.



The Army War College is formed in Tokyo to help recruit more able officers to fight in the Great War. The college increases the chance of a leader appearing in a battle.



With no losses, the last of Borneo is seized. As the Dutch territory in Sulawesi is being hammered by Russian ships, it is decided that we should attack there next, before turning to the south and west to take Java and Sumatra.

We also take notice that cities have been burned in both Chile and Russia. The No-raze patch doesn’t seem to want to work, so I take a break and install it. As I cannot perform necromancy with my saved game editor, the destroyed cities are out of luck – I do redo Week 17, however, to save Arica.

As a result of time travel, the Boers go to war with Spain instead of Italy, and the Central American war with the Turks never happens. The Dutch also attempt an attack with a single cavalry, which is slaughtered. Similarly, we seize the last of Borneo with minimal casualties. The La Platans do not slaughter the people of Arica this time around, instead keeping the city. Too bad for the Russian folk of Olekminsk, but there’s no shortage of Russian citizens.

Week 25, Persia and Russia make peace; Persia then turns around and gets Britain to declare war on us. That alleviates a huge financial burden on Japan if nothing else! It is decided to relieve the British of the Malay Peninsula as soon as possible. New Grenada and Scandinavia also go to war with us, among a ton of other insane alliances. Italy declares war on the Turks.



The Artillery School is built, which increases leader appearance chances. Production in several cities shifts to theaters so as to help prevent war weariness and increase productivity.

In the meantime, shelling begins of Sulawesi with its 8 million (Size 40) people. The Russian fleet having softened it up, it’s not hard to cut its population by half.

Week 29, the Britons declare war on the Boers. We dispatch one of our senior military advisors, Takayama, to help them fight the British menace. The Austrians, meanwhile, try peace talks, but as we are honor bound to fight them for a good year or so, we reject them.

Despite sending Takayama to the Boers, they declare war on us.

One piece of good news is the US and Britain ending their war, with the British only having lost one city. Canada is now cut in half.

The fall of Sulawesi is cause for celebration, as its one less area for us to focus on. Rather than push eastward towards New Guinea – which would be a completely hostile island given that the Germans, Dutch and British all share it – we make preparations to take over Java.

The task of taking Java begins with the fall of Malang, after a vigorous depopulation. Batavia is the next target, and from there forces plan to swamp Sumatra and eliminate the Dutch from the Spice Islands, barring New Guinea.



Our completion of the Colonial Military Academy in Manila is a boon to our armed forces; it allows the creation of veteran units in its city. As Manila builds a new Cavalry every two turns, it goes without saying this will be invaluable in securing Japan’s expeditionary capability.

Week 41, a group of battleships is instructed to sail to Chile and shell the crap out of their cities to assist the local fighters; the move is so intimidating the Chileans try to obtain peace, but are not even given an audience.

The Spanish leave the war with the Austrians and Germans, alas. The Mahdists, meanwhile, declare war on us.



All this bad news does not detract from absolute victory in Java, however. Batavia is rechristened Jakarta. With the French fleet and the city’s position inhibiting the easy taking of Palembang, it was decided to target the Malay Peninsula next.

As troops hammer Singapore, the decision is made to conquer Thailand as soon as the British are kicked out of Malaya. The rationale is that Siam is a liability in a world where nations make alliances at the drop of a hat, and with the Japanese navy in the area, it’d be possible to wipe them out with ease, thus securing the Malayan gains against French Indochina.



Week 49, we nearly wet ourselves when we see a Tibetan doomstack near our Chinese possessions, only to see they have taken Shanghai already and are thus at war with France. It is presumed they’re just heading south to take Indochina. Ever supportive of softening up the French for future assaults, we make a note to move out of the way of the invasion force.



The fall of Singapore is the beginning of the end for British Malaya. The British may have made peace with the Dutch, but they still have a large amount of forces stuck in Sumatra.

Without Kuala Lumpur, the British presence in East Asia officially crumbles. While some ambitious generals suggest an invasion of India itself, Japan feels that it lacks the manpower to take such a large territory at present; it is content to keep the British securely behind the mountains dividing India and Indochina, thus creating a natural frontier between both the Anglo and Nippospheres.

Week 5, Britain declares war on China, not that much will come from it.

Week 9, Uruguay declares war on La Plata, presumably hoping to rein in the growing power of the country as it conquers Chile.



We make peace with New Granada when we see a Steam Transport of theirs off the coast of the Philippines; we do not want to have to dislodge an invasion. They had some forces present in the trenches outside Batangas, and so to eliminate that liability, it is requested they leave.

1000 gold is dispatched to Mexico to finance their war against the United States. It is of great import that Mexican independence be protected, so that Japan can snatch Baja California from them in the future and use it as a Launchpad for an invasion of the United States.



Week 17 sees the fall of Banda Aceh, where the citizens don’t even bother to resist due to how small the city has been left by Japanese bombardment. Due to the same bombardment destroying the roads in one of the jungle areas near the city, it will take some time to regroup forces for the final push towards Palembang.



With extensive wars the world over, Japan decides to clean house and pay token amounts of tribute to Scandinavia, Persia, the Boers, and Britain. Now only the original four enemy nations – the Lowlands, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Chile – remain, backed only by the Mahdists. With all alliances due to expire in two turns, we will soon be at peace at last, allowing us to consolidate our gains; Japan is growing faster than it can supply its front lines with new offensive and defensive units!

Week 21, Tibet declares war on China. Well, that’s the end of the short-lived Tibetan Empire.



We build the Railroad Corporation in Kagoshima so as to make it a one-battleship-per-turn city again now that we’ve unlocked our first Dreadnought. The Railroad Corporation increases shield production.

We secure peace with the Mahdists and pay them 5 gpt just to help beef them up. Meanwhile, in Europe, we discover the Spanish have occupied Brussels, reforming the Spanish Netherlands once more.

Week 25, Britain declares war on Austria and Germany, while Spain and Germany go to war again. Portugal likewise declares war on Austria. Of particular importance is the Anglo-Hispaniola peace treaty, which puts Haiti under British rule, while the Hispaniolas retain control of the Dominican Republic and the Dutch Antilles. Russia ends the war with Germany as well, showing Japan it is time to cease its own conflict.



We ink peace accords with Germany, Austria, Chile, and the Lowlands, ending our involvement in the “Great War,” which many experts increasingly call the Great Wartime instead, given that it is not a single war but dozens of bilateral conflicts overlapping. Without Japan’s leadership, there is no clear opposing force anymore. With the payments of tribute from all enemies, Japan is acknowledged as the winner of the war, and the people of Japan and its newly-annexed territories rejoice at the end of the bitter fighting at last. The “First World War” is traditionally held to be from about 1904 to 1906, when the major wars and advances for the most part ceased.

But the peace is illusory. The Siamese remain as a liability to Japanese Malaya, and they must be disposed of while it will be convenient.

It is noted that the Dutch were not kicked out of Palembang prior to the peace treaty. Ah well. Always next time!

Week 29, Austria-Hungary and Spain go to war, probably over Belgium. Portugal and the Lowlands go to war as well, which is sure to make for interesting music in Africa.

Meanwhile, the wars Japan engineered dissipate one by one, with the Austro-German alliance making peace with the Turks and the French.

When the Siamese block the route of Japanese naval vessels with a steam transport in Week 29, we declare war on the spot so as to clear the path. We recruit a few majors as allies simply to pre-empt the Thai from obtaining any valuable ground.

Week 33, the Siamese capture French Rangoon, most likely through human wave tactics. If nothing else that’s one less French city to worry about come the inevitable war for Indochina.



We complete the Motor Carriage Company, granting extra shields to Kagoshima, but not enough to build the 300-shield per turn Satsuma-class battleships.

To our surprise, we redline the entire defense of Nakhon Si Thammarat, showing that the Siamese must have sent much of their defensive forces against the Rangoon garrison; originally the city had well over a dozen Riflemen guarding it. Rather than exterminate the populace, it is decided to seize the city more or less intact, given that the Siamese won’t last long enough for nationalism to become a problem.



With Nakhon’s fall, the narrow isthmus becomes a canal we can use to easily bypass Singapore. Having had a unit explore Indochina by railway, we know there’s quite a few Siamese hordes harassing the French colonies, but that’s fine; more for us!

Week 37, the Spanish and Belgians sign a peace accord, with Belgium passing under Spanish control; the Belgian government formalize themselves in Amsterdam, but maintain a legal fiction of an independent Belgian Congo.



The Siamese turn out to be some of the fiercest warriors Japan has ever faced, killing one Cavalry unit before Bangkok is taken. The Emperor conducts a ceremony honoring the Siamese fallen, citing that the Siamese worth as warriors is a sign Japan made the right choice in not waging a war of extermination in the country as it did in Malaya and the Dutch Indies. In the meantime, the “Co-Prosperity Sphere” of Asian peoples is proclaimed in Bangkok, with several theoretically independent governments forming, all of them being “advised” by Japan.



Korea is reported to be at full productivity, with mines and railways covering the entire country. As soon as the Siamese War ends, it will be only a matter of months until a Russo-Japanese conflict breaks out, so as to end the threat Russia presents to Japanese security both by itself and by the access it gives foreign powers to Korea.

Week 45, the Dutch declare war on the Mahdists and British. New Grenada declares war on Chile, thus continuing the dogpile of the latter. Germany declares war on Portugal, while France conquers southern Ireland. The Americans finally make a breakthrough and take Monterrey in Mexico, while the Argentines gain a Pacific port through the acquisition of Chilean Chañaral.



The Siamese are destroyed and their territories annexed. Rangoon, with its large British population (most of the French population having been exterminated) is integrated into the Japanese Empire, which now is secure against French invasion while also eliminating the risk of Siam helping future enemies gain allies. With highly-developed territories and full (and loyal) populations, Siam is sure to be one of the most productive parts of the empire in its various wars.

Week 49, Russia declares war on France. It is hoped that hordes of Cossacks will pour through Germany into France and thus be stranded when the Russo-Japanese War begins. Meanwhile, China destroys Tibet, having become a sizable regional power with its acquisitions of Tibet, Shanghai, and Tsingtao. Only Japan remains as a foreign occupier of Chinese soil.

Britain and the Turks go to war with Italy, as well, while Portugal declares war on the Boers.

A small group of battleships are left in the East Indies to serve as power projection as well as to stalk the Russian fleet in the area. 1905 draws to a close with much of the Imperial Japanese Navy heading back to Korea.