Europa Universalis V: Animated Lore Series

Bringing History to Life Through Cinematic Storytelling

"Ambition is Everything..."

We partnered with Paradox Interactive to create a seven-part animated lore video series for the pre-launch of their latest grand strategy game, Europa Universalis V. Designed to captivate both strategy fans and history enthusiasts, each 2–3 minute episode explored a defining moment in history through the lens of one key figure, showcasing how ambition has shaped the course of civilisation.

From Elizabeth I’s defiance of the Spanish Armada to the Medici family’s role in funding the Renaissance, our goal was to create a compelling fusion of education and entertainment - deepening engagement with the game while reinforcing its central theme: Ambition is Everything.

The Mission

Paradox Interactive wanted more than launch assets — they wanted a cinematic, educational, and emotionally resonant series that:

• Brought key historical moments to life with accuracy and drama

• Showcased ambition as a universal driver of change

• Balanced historical authenticity with bold, stylised visuals

• Served as both a marketing tool and a piece of evergreen educational content

• Increased awareness and excitement for Europa Universalis V ahead of release

STRATEGIC APPROACH

Our guiding principle was “research-led drama” — grounding each short in robust historical fact while using stylised art and animation to heighten the storytelling impact.

We approached the series in three phases:

1. Historical Research & Script Development

   • We selected seven pivotal figures/events from Europa Universalis V’s time period.

   • Extensive historical research ensured accuracy, cross-checking primary and secondary sources.

   • Scripts were crafted to condense complex events into 2–3 minutes while keeping narrative momentum and emotional weight.

Each story was shaped around ambition as the through-line — personalising history for the viewer.

1. Art Direction & Collaboration with Ritzy Animation

   • Blacklist provided art direction, scripts, and historically accurate reference imagery to ensure every visual element reflected the period and tone.

   • We collaborated closely with Ritzy Animation, who brought our direction to life through stunning drawings — blending fine line detail for authenticity with looser line work for movement and expression.

   • This creative partnership ensured that the final visuals were both historically faithful and visually dynamic.

2. Animation & Post-Production

   • Our team took Ritzy’s final illustrations and brought them to life using techniques such as:

     • Parallax motion for depth

     • Cinematic zooms and focus pulls for drama

     • Layered compositing to create the illusion of a moving camera within still illustrations

Sound design and music were integral to immersion — we used authentic music from the game, tying the lore shorts directly into the Europa Universalis V brand world.

The Build: From Research to Release

Research & Writing We worked closely with Paradox’s historical consultants to shortlist events that would resonate with both seasoned fans and newcomers. Each script balanced historical exposition with dramatic tension, ensuring every frame served the narrative.

Collaboration with Ritzy Animation Guided by our art direction and armed with our scripts and historical references, Ritzy delivered highly detailed, hand-drawn character designs and landscapes that felt grounded in history while elevated by artistic flair. Their ability to interpret and enhance our creative vision was key to the series’ visual success.

Animation Process Our animation approach was designed to immerse viewers without overshadowing the artwork. Depth-of-field effects, layered parallax motion, and dynamic camera moves gave still illustrations a cinematic presence while preserving the integrity of Ritzy’s line work.

What’s Next?

The Europa Universalis V lore series will become a key part of the game’s identity, enhancing pre-launch marketing, serving as long-tail educational content, and engaging global audiences across YouTube, social media, and the Paradox community.

Our collaboration with Paradox Interactive and Ritzy Animation proved that history, when told with creativity and care, can be as gripping as any epic drama.

At Blacklist, we know how to turn research into spectacle, making the past feel urgent, vivid, and unforgettable.

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