While players of Europa Universalis 4 can pursue any type of playthrough with their nation, the most common goal is to secure their country's survival from the game's start date of November 11, 1444 until January 2, 1821. Between this roughly four-century period, a player's leadership of their nation can lead to surprising alliances, rivalries, and even conquests of other nations. However, should a player choose a country like Portugal, they might find themselves focusing less on colonization and more on becoming a global superpower.