What kind of new great people would you like to see in Civ? I would say a Great Explorer (Christopher Colombus and Captain Cook being obvious names).

Yes I know the Great Spy is already in BtS, but this is generally for the civ series in the future.

Hell, as far as I'm concerned, isn't Christopher Columbus as much of a Great Spy as he was a Great Explorer? Just use him as a Great Spy

i'd like to see great philosophers. able to build a lyceum in a city that adds +X% to GPP.

AFAIC I think Firaxis has pretty much gotten it right. I can't think of any additional categories of Great People that would really add anything unique to the game.

I'm still a little hesitant about the "Great Spy" concept. It seems rather silly that a spy would gain enough fame and reknown throughout the world to known as "Great." After all, famous spies are dead spies.

The only change I would have made to the Great Person system is to rename Great Generals to "Great Tacticians." I would have only called them Great "Generals" if they combine with a unit. Otherwise, great tacticians could build war academies, lightbulb war techs, or join a city as a Super-Specialist Tactician. Just my opinion.

... After all, famous spies are dead spies.

Very good point.

Great Explorers like Columbus are in the game as Great Merchants.

Great "spies" do not necessarily have to be dead. Many of them achieved fame only years after their work, like the crew at Bletchley Park in England during WWII. I refer you to this list, which I found while searching for names for my great people mod. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptographers

AFAIC I think Firaxis has pretty much gotten it right. I can't think of any additional categories of Great People that would really add anything unique to the game.

I'm still a little hesitant about the "Great Spy" concept. It seems rather silly that a spy would gain enough fame and reknown throughout the world to known as "Great." After all, famous spies are dead spies.

The only change I would have made to the Great Person system is to rename Great Generals to "Great Tacticians." I would have only called them Great "Generals" if they combine with a unit. Otherwise, great tacticians could build war academies, lightbulb war techs, or join a city as a Super-Specialist Tactician. Just my opinion.

Don't think James Bond ever got killed. :P Wonder if they will include him!
But maybe it will be great as in skilled not necessarily famous. So if you hover a mouse over an enemy city that contains the spy (Before it is used) you couldn't tell it is there.. And I wonder if they will be extra good at stopping espionage, so it may be worth it to keep a few around for the space race.

I wouldn't mind per se seeing Great Explorers. I noticed another under merchants, David Thompson. But h could technically be under great merchants as he was exploring for the Nor'Westers.. Mackenzie was there to I believe.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caitanya)

I think the great explorer isn't a bad idea, benefiting naval activities, exploration and maybe civ relations. Maybe a great politician, wait, that's contradictory. But seriously, maybe a great leader, that can allow you to rush change civics without anarchy, and provide happiness and culture, and maybe a great medical expert which can prvide extra health and science to a city.

I'm still a little hesitant about the "Great Spy" concept. It seems rather silly that a spy would gain enough fame and reknown throughout the world to known as "Great." After all, famous spies are dead spies.
The Red Orchestra
Fritz Kolbe
Richard Sorge...

Don't think James Bond ever got killed. :P Wonder if they will include him!
James Bond was based on Sidney Reilly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Reilly). He will definately be in the game.

James Bond was based on Sidney Reilly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Reilly). He will definately be in the game.
Perhaps Ian Flemming will be as well :p

Perhaps Ian Flemming will be as well :p

I meant sidney reilly will be in not james bond :P

edit:

unless ian flemmings in as a great artist.

There should be a great missionary (of a particular religion), which unless the nation has adopted Free Religion will automatically convert that nation to that religion (provided there is at least some existence of that religion in the targeted civ).

The only other GP I can think of that might be a good addition would be the Great Statesman. Has lots of possibilities.

I meant sidney reilly will be in not james bond :P

edit:

unless ian flemmings in as a great artist.
Ian Flemming worked as a Spy in WWII. He wasn't a great spy, but civ tends to comflate famous and great.

Ian Flemming worked as a Spy in WWII. He wasn't a great spy, but civ tends to comflate famous and great.
Oh, okay didnt know that.

From what they've said about 'Great Spy's' capabilities, I think they could probably rename it 'Great Diplomat' or 'Great Statesman' for no loss. 'Great Spy' just sounds silly to me.

In terms of game affects I suspect you're right. I can't think of many benefits that could be derived from a Great Statesman that couldn't also be derived from a Great Spy.

I can--send it to the U.N. and you immediately get to force a petition of your choice.

Even if it extends to the Apostolic Palace, that specialist mission is highly restricted - it's not reason enough to introduce a great statesman. You'd want to come up with roles that, combined, are useful throughout the game.

It was a joke... think Colin Powell.