Paradox Interactive launchedVictoria 3on October 25th. Developed in-house by Paradox Development Studio, it is the long-awaited third installment of the beloved grand strategy series. It lets players build political and economic empires amid the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution. WhileVictoria 3’s seen mixed reviews so far, only time will tell if it eventually lives up to its predecessor’s legacy.
If that happens, it will likely be afterVictoria 3has gone through many years of updates and expansions. Given howDLC-heavy Paradox Interactive games likeVictoria 3tend to be, some fans may be tempted to get in on the ground floor with the new game. Players may be able to get a leg up in that regard by purchasingVictoria 3’s Grand edition, which offers guaranteed access to multiple upcoming DLC. However, some fans will want to know what they are getting for their money before shelling out for the more expensive package.
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What is in Victoria 3: Grand Edition
Victoria 3: Grand Editionis available now on Steam for $79.99, $30 more than the base game costs on its own. It is not currently possible to upgrade from the standard edition to Grand Edition, though players can always refund the base game and then purchase the Grand Edition if they want. The Grand Edition includesthe base game ofVictoria 3, the remasteredVictoria 2Soundtrack, the American Buildings Pack, the Art Pack, the Music Pack, and the first Immersion Pack and Expansion Pack. Paradox has confirmed that the listed prices will be the same in Euros as USD.
As the name implies, the American Buildings pack is a small DLC that adds unique Building models for theUnited States of America inVictoria 3. Unfortunately, it is not currently available for purchase outside theVictoria 3: Grand Edition, though Paradox may change that eventually. In addition, the publisher sometimes releases pre-order bonuses as free DLC further down the road, though there’s no guarantee that Paradox will do so with this item.
Paradox hasn’t revealed much information about most of the rest of theVictoria 3: Grand Edition’s Expansion Pass content, as none of its DLC has been officially announced. However,Victoria 3’s Community Ambassador Pelhamds offered some insight in a post on the Paradox Forum. The Music Pass will include about 45 minutes of new compositions. Players will be able to listen to the new songs in-game as well as in separate FLAC and MP4 files.Victoria 3playerswho don’t buy theGrand Editioncan later purchase the Music pack separately for $4.99.
The upcoming Art Pack includes a variety of new visual content forVictoria 3. This may consist of new assets for character portraits, alternate City skins, and different paper maps. TheArt Pack will be $4.99 when sold separately.
Victoria 3 Immersion Packs and Expansion Packs
Victoria 3’s Immersion Pack will include new content built around a specific region, theme, or time period. This will consist of new visual assets, Journal Entries, Events, and Historical Characters. The Immersion Pack may also include new mechanics, Laws, Technology, Traits, or more related to the pack’s theme. A good comparison would beCrusader Kings 3’sNorthern LordsandFate of IberiaDLCs, which added a wealth of new content for Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula, respectively. There’s no word on whatVictoria 3’s first Immersion pack will focus on, but it’s included inVictoria 3: Grand Editionand will be sold separately for $14.99.
Victoria 3: Grand Editionalso includes the game’s first Expansion Pack. These are likely whereVictoria 3players should expect the most radical changes to the gameplay. Pelhamds says, “Where Immersion Packs increase the depth of the game, Expansions increase its breadth.” The Expansions will introduce significant new mechanics and modes with a focus on expandingVictoria 3’s simulated world.Victoria 3’s Expansion Packs will also contain new laws, traits, and additional content similar to what players will find in the planned Immersion Packs.
Paradox Interactive has yet to officially announceVictoria 3’s first Expansion Pack, so it’s hard to guess at specific content. However, in terms of scope, good comparisons might beCrusader Kings 3’sRoyal CourtDLCandStellaris’Overlordexpansion. Both added significant new content and major reworks to some existing mechanics, though Paradox is probably hopingVictoria 3’s first Expansion sees a more positive reaction than those divisive DLCs. The unannounced Expansion Pack will retail at $29.99 for players who don’tpurchase Victoria 3: Grand Edition.
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Victoria 3: Grand Edition Price Comparison
ManyVictoria 3playerswill be wondering how much money they would save by purchasing theVictoria 3: Grand Editioncompared to buying each piece individually. As indicated aboveVictoria 3retails for $49.99 on Steam, with the unannounced Expansion Pack costing an additional $29.99. This brings the total to $79.98, so theVictoria 3: Grand Editionis worth it for anyone who definitely plans to purchaseVictoria 3’s first Expansion.
The Immersion Pack is set to retail for $14.99, bringing the total up to $94.97 if purchased separately. Meanwhile, the Music Pack and Art Packs will cost $4.99. This would bring the final tally to $104.95 for players who wanted to purchase each item individually. That means buying theGrand Editiongives players a discount of a little over 23%, or $24.96 off the whole package.
Of course,Victoria 3players will have to decide for themselves how comfortable they are spending extra money on content that hasn’t even been announced yet. Anyone who buysVictoria 3: Grand Editionwould probably be annoyed if the Expansion and Emersion Packs turned out not to be to their taste. Still, taking almost $25 off the price of those purchases is more than nothing.
