: The paper identifies National Focus Trees (NFTs) as "engines of causality" that use computation and text to create a recognizable past while statistically supporting the player.

: The expansion is analyzed as a systemic overhaul that significantly altered Japan's international relationships and focus, moving away from the more rigid interpretations present at the game's initial 2016 release.

: Research on ResearchGate explores how the game acts as a form of historical education, influencing how players interpret sensitive or controversial periods like the Chinese Civil War. Reflections on Player Practice and Online Wikis

Pennington’s work specifically highlights the expansion as a turning point in how Paradox Interactive curated the historical representation of Japan and China.