Paradox is integrating four DLCs from Europa Universalis IV into the base game. Rights Of Man, Art Of War, Digital Extreme Upgrade and Common Sense will be free to all current and future players of the eleven-year-old grand strategy game starting October 17.
On the same date, Paradox will also announce the game's new Starter Edition and lower the price of the Ultimate Bundle DLC collection.
“We are happy to announce the integration of FOUR core DLCs into the Europa Universalis IV base game: 'Rights of Man', 'Art of War', 'Digital Extreme Upgrade' and 'Common Sense'. You heard right – all current and future EUIV players will receive these four DLCs completely free! And you won't even have to do anything to get them,” the announcement reads.
Three of the above DLCs – the Digital Extreme Upgrade, Art Of War and Rights Of Man – are already part of the existing Starter Edition, which usually costs £7 more than the base game itself. Common sense – which my parents will tell you I don’t have – usually costs £12.79 more.
Upgrading the base version with these extras is great for those who don't already have them, but less so for those who've been paying for them for the last few years. Paradox is positioning the new Starter Edition and the reduced Ultimate Bundle cost as a “special treat” for these players, but that doesn't seem very convincing. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Bundle usually costs £313.56 – but that's after subtracting the cost of any included DLC you already own.
From now until September 9, the base game of EUIV is 76% off on Steam, for £8.39/$10. This will give you access to all four DLCs when they launch for everyone on October 17.