Europa Universalis V launched in November 2025, and the natural assumption was that EU4 would start to fade away. That’s what usually happens when a sequel comes out — the old game slowly dies as players migrate. But that’s not what’s happening here. EU4’s playerbase has stayed remarkably strong, and there are some very good reasons why.

A Decade of Content

EU4 has been out since 2013. That’s twelve years of DLC, patches, and free updates. The game has accumulated an absolutely enormous amount of content — dozens of DLC packs, hundreds of events, thousands of provinces, and mechanics that have been refined and expanded over a decade.

EU5 is a new game, and it’s starting from scratch. It has its own content, but it can’t match the sheer depth that EU4 has built up over twelve years. For players who’ve invested hundreds of hours into EU4, the idea of starting over with a game that has a fraction of the content is a hard sell.

The Modding Scene

EU4 has one of the most active modding communities in strategy gaming. Total conversions like Extended Timeline and Anbennar, overhaul mods like MEIOU & Taxes, and hundreds of quality-of-life mods have kept the game fresh for years. Some of these mods are essentially entire games built on EU4’s foundation.

EU5’s modding scene is still in its infancy. It will get there eventually, but it’s going to take years to match what EU4’s community has built. For players who love modded EU4, there’s no reason to switch yet.

The Learning Curve

Here’s the thing about EU4 players: they’ve spent years learning this game. They know the trade system, the combat mechanics, the diplomatic web, the estate interactions. They’ve internalized it all.

EU5 is a new game with new mechanics. The pop system, the new trade system, the different approach to estates — it’s all different. For a veteran EU4 player, switching to EU5 means going back to being a beginner. That’s a hard thing to do when you’ve spent a decade mastering a game.

The Price Factor

EU4 has been out for twelve years. It goes on sale constantly — you can pick up the base game for a few dollars, and even the DLC goes on deep discounts regularly. A new player can get the complete EU4 experience for a fraction of what EU5 costs.

EU5 is a new game at full price, with its own DLC roadmap ahead of it. For budget-conscious players, EU4 is simply the better value right now.

The Community

EU4 has a massive, established community. There are active subreddits, Discord servers, YouTube channels, and Twitch streamers all dedicated to the game. The competitive multiplayer scene is still going strong. When you play EU4, you’re part of a huge, active community.

EU5’s community is growing, but it’s not there yet. For many players, the community is a big part of why they play — and EU4’s community isn’t going anywhere.

Is EU4 Still Worth Playing in 2026?

Absolutely. If you’ve never played EU4, it’s still one of the best grand strategy games ever made, and it’s cheaper than ever. If you’re a returning player, there’s a decade of content to explore that you might have missed.

The honest answer is that EU4 and EU5 are different games with different strengths. EU4 has depth, content, and a mature modding scene. EU5 has modern graphics, new mechanics, and the promise of future content. They’re not really competing with each other — they’re offering different experiences.

The Bottom Line

EU4’s playerbase isn’t shrinking because EU5 launched. It’s staying strong because EU4 is still a great game in its own right. Twelve years of content, a thriving modding scene, a massive community, and a price point that’s hard to beat — that’s a combination that’s going to keep EU4 alive for years to come.

If you’re wondering whether to pick up EU4 in 2026, the answer is yes. It’s not going anywhere.