The aim of Colonialism 1600AD is to - as far as possible - convert Empire Total War's units, battle-mechanics and presentation to the 17th century. This will happen in stages owing to the challenges involved - notably in creating a suitable startpos to change the starting date to 1600, changing province ownership, ruler names etc. I am working on a custom startpos to accomplish some of this, but the team requires assistance from members experienced with startpos editing to do this.

Until then, the mod goes some way towards a 17th century format as follows:

- Loading times are adjusted to the slower matchlock and arquebus loading times (1-2 minutes to load). The standard flintlocks of ETW are available for late units to a lesser or greater degree depending on faction. For example in Spain the flintlock seems to have been used less than other major powers because of Spanish traditionalism as well as cost.

- The availability of armoured units which however are more expensive. In the colonies armoured musketmen are available - reflecting sources including Osprey showing them as late as 1640 in the English colonies. Other sources confirm the French Canadian use of burgonet helmets and cuirasses (breastplates) in cojunction with firearms.

- A small number of sword and buckler men and halberdiers can be recruited in Europe reflecting their marginal but persistant role there in the first hald of the century. In the colonies they were more useful against Indians without firearms however.