Suspicions on the integrity of Ludi et Historia's Manchu game

PLEASE READ THE PINNED COMMENT
I found something suspicious with a video by Ludi et Historia, shared it with a few groups, and woke up next morning to see the parts I pointed out being removed. Thankfully I still had footage of them, and after reaching out to Ludi and not getting clarification beyond "I truce broke," I'm posting this for the public to see. As I mention in the video, I hope that enough public attention will get Ludi to be more transparent about this situation, and I really hope he does release the save file and maybe further information so I can verify my doubts. Did he cheat? Who knows.
While editing this video we found that Ludi has a patreon rank where he provides save game files of selected campaigns. Unfortunately, according to an anonymous current patreon of Ludi, as of January 13th, the save file of the Manchu run in question is not available. Personally, I think save files should not be monetized, since it's a fairly effective way to validate the integrity of a run.

Alternative video titles that I did not have the balls to use:
Where did Uzbek go? Ludi ANSWER ME!
Where did the save file go? Ludi ANSWER ME!

addendum: In many scenarios, I say "Ludi" when I really should say "the people responsible for the youtube channel Ludi Et Historia," which not only includes "Ludi" the person (who I DM'd on discord) but also his editors and maybe other team members who I don't know about. For example, the cut footage was done by some channel member, not necessarily "Ludi" the person. Please keep that in mind; I did not want to make the video too verbose with that specification.

[lambdaxx]

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE COMMENTING
Edit 2022.03.03: As I said, I'm not responding to comments out of laziness, but I updated the FAQ here. Please expand this comment.
Edit 2022.01.24: I gave up monitoring and will most likely not respond to anything here now. I think I deserve a break from dealing with hundreds of children in the comments section.

Note that I will be more attentive to comments on this video than usual since it is a sensitive topic. I will be removing any direct insults to Ludi. Things like "this timestamp in his other video is suspicious for this reason" would be fair game, but stuff like "I've always known he's a cheater" will be removed. Let's not start any flame wars and remain professional please. Criticisms directed towards me (esp. this video) are fair game unless you spam. Please keep checking this pin before posting even if you have read it before -- I will most likely consolidate FAQs here over time.

FAQ/common concerns:
- I'm doing it for clout/views
-- I think many people who know me through twitch can vouch that I occasionally confess that youtube is not for me and is a mere vod dump. This channel is in the end, mainly a place to dump vods of runs I livestream; I do not monetize anything, and I don't think I can even hold any of Ludi's fanbase anyway since I don't think our "content" aligns, so really, there is no benefit of that sort that I am gunning for. I swear.
- Potential solutions to the Uzbek warscore issue
-- They are valid arguments yes, but Ludi has admitted (many times) that he truce broke, so let's stick with that assumption/narrative

Updates from 2022.03.03:
I do not know of any updates to the "situation." I've seen a few claims that Ludi has shown the save file on stream, but I cannot find any relevant clip, and nobody has fed me any relevant links/information. It goes without saying that I have no direct updates from him either. I am very curious to see clips/evidence if anybody has any, but to the best of my knowledge, no such things are available. Note that the "part 2" of the Manchu video, which is according to Ludi when he will release the save file, is yet to appear. Next, when I last checked, the save files for the Manchu run are not available on patreon, so I don't understand where people are coming up with the "I'm demanding his product" -- it doesn't seem to be a product.

[FieryLightning]

Folks, we have drama over a map game, we have reached peak civilisation

[ZlewikkTV]

It looks very suspicious, but I hope that it can be easily cleared with a save file :)

[leontrotsky]

I think the evidence is reasonable, however I would like to add, that there's nothing wrong with using cheats in singleplayer, if you find it fun/more enjoyable. However claiming it to be ironman/non-cheat or insinuating it to be ironman is dishonest and insulting.

[Viveleroy]

The save should be enough for him to get clear out

[Quarbit]

Interesting. Well, we just need to look at the save to be sure.

[VivaChandles]

It’s understandable not playing a true Ironman game for production purposes to make YT videos, that’s not an issue. However, without a disclaimer and when most videos are tutorials the audience is under a false pretext that what they’re seeing is valid.

[thesigmamale]

Lol these comments crack me up. People coming all the way to this comment section to say "who cares" or "touch grass" it's obvious you are the people who care given your hostile reaction to such content. If people cheat and pass it off as if it's real they should be called out for it. Like dream though ludi did not cheat to such a extent even so the response should be the same.

[allisongretsinger]

why would you say you did a truce break in that situation? If I'd cheated I'd have been like, "i dunno lol, could've been a million reasons, don't remember" instead of something so obviously stupid and untrue

[ValensBellator]

I’ve been able to replicate some of his strategies, so they never really concerned me. I know he’s said he uses backups, so that might cause inconsistencies… any time people start “speedrunning” in any game, though, it’s worth being extra vigilant.

[Prophlol]

You know, before this video I was already suspicious of him cheating. Like you said his recent videos have shown some pretty insane early game plays especially the true heir of timur before 1500 run. Whilst I know that these runs are possible, he seems to have 'improved' so much in recent months that its beyond believable.

[kakicz]

I have been watching ludis video for pure entertaiment as I find myself to be just relax player of EU4. He should confess it, it might hurt his prestige ( event -75 prestige) rather than denying it (-2 stability and worse relations). Its a manly thing to confess his mistakes/cheating, not playing it like child (I have not done it).

Disclaimer: Im not a pro player, just want to enjoy game, but community should be transparent and frank.

[drixcel]

I had a feeling something like this was gonna happen one day

[jerrythefeared]

Didn't we all know? In his discord he actively bans people trying to expose it. Has been happening for a few months now

[itbaytar]

I've been tryna recreate his recent "improved" speedruns and they are like impossible for me so for 3-4 months i was suspicious about this and this evidence shows it. The problem is not cheating the problem is what he claims to be.

[jamoecw]

cheating to gain clout is the first step to the downfall of a society. it is unfortunate that more people don't dislike such stuff.

[andriytroyan]

I see Ludi more as an entertainer rather than an actual eu4 enthusiast. He used to be one but I believe that rapid subscriber rate made him cut corners to keep up with hype around him. He did get more erratic, either his weight, facial hair or facial expression. A shame really as his more earth to earth video is what maybe me enjoy his videos.

[theteamaker]

I have indeed noticed this skill gap in Ludi's performance. Untill maybe two months ago he make normal video's which were easy to follow and absolutly not suspicious. But then it all changed when he suddenly started making video's like 'German Empire borders by 1530' and 'All of Africa by 1540'. Even though everyone naturally becomes more skilled at the game the more they play, I found the jump in game quality/performance very surprising. But if he did do it legit then that is all the better for him.

[maximilienbrusalbs]

I've noticed plenty of very strange stuff in his guides and every time I try to politely ask something about it in the youtube comments it gets instantly deleted. I play since EU3 and sometimes binge watch EU4 content so I kinda automatically notice stuff. He 100% cheats.

[gunarliepins]

I agree that something seems off about not only this but quite a few of Ludi's recent videos, very interesting analysis