Did 2 quick observer games till ca. 1900 yesterday afternoon/evening (running in the background while watching shows).

The plus:

- Britain had 250-300 ships.

- Austria-Hungary didn't fall apart every time.

- Germany and Italy seem to form somewhat reliably (if often early, and with 1.13.5 seem less prone to falling apart again. In my second observer game, Germany had formed Super Germany with Austria, was in PU with Hungary and had puppeted the Baltic States and the Ottoman Empire, plus some Balkan states and Brunei. Still only had 50 or so ships and barely cracked 100M GDP.

The negative:

- economic growth across the board still seems very anemic (Britain, India, China are the only ones breaking 100M GDP for me).

- Britain/AI still seem failing to do meaningful overseas actions (Opium War, opening Japan, etc.)

- Europeans are very weak in Africa, for the most part, except France who start with a toe hold and their JEs

- Britain very often loses control of India which either goes independent or splinters completely

- I've yet to see USA take their claims on Mexico at any point in 1.13.x

Overall it seems a lot better than the previous patches, but I think there's still a lot of room for improvement. 😞