Asset file hinting at future and/or cut content

[Leucarum]

My issue with Byazntium and Ottomans potentially following one another is that surely the entire point of playing Byzantium is not to become the Ottomans?

Though that's true for a lot of the possible links... Civ switching is so depressing...

 

[stealth_nsk]

Should we even take the Ottomans as confirmation of any of these leaks? The Ottomans were always going to be added at some point. I’d like to see them theme the new civs together in some way. The Ottomans should be releasing with Byzantium over Iceland or the Pirate Republic

I'm not sure what leak confirmation even means. Whether those civilizations were tested somehow? We knew it from the files without any Ottoman appearing. Whether those civilization will come at some point? It's not confirmed and Ottomans don't confirm it in any way.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Should we even take the Ottomans as confirmation of any of these leaks? The Ottomans were always going to be added at some point. I’d like to see them theme the new civs together in some way. The Ottomans should be releasing with Byzantium over Iceland or the Pirate Republic

It's not confirmation, but it's interesting that they were the next civ shown not mentioned yet.

(and treasure fleets)

You do have a point with treasure fleets. I'm still not sure of their "historical" or "geographic" unlocks because those would have been in the Age they might be appearing in.

My issue with Byazntium and Ottomans potentially following one another is that surely the entire point of playing Byzantium is not to become the Ottomans?

Though that's true for a lot of the possible links... Civ switching is so depressing...

That's the most obvious option because Istanbul today is also influenced by Byzantine architecture, such as the Hagia Sophia still standing. That city encompasses history in layers just as much as London does with Roman and Norman features.
I'm sure the other path for them will be to go into Russia, due to Russia becoming the new center for Eastern Orthodox after Constantinople fell.

 

[Lebo44]

My issue with Byazntium and Ottomans potentially following one another is that surely the entire point of playing Byzantium is not to become the Ottomans?

Maybe the new 'Collapse Mode' will bring solution to that

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

Iceland makes sense to me. For one, Firaxis seems to be going on a tour of medieval Scandinavian civs. Denmark>Norway>Iceland. No backsies. Maybe someday we can get Canute's North Sea Empire.

For two, Icelanders made a highly noteworthy trek to the New World. While Denmark, Norway, and the Swedes ventured throughout Europe, they don't really match the Exploration Age mechanics like Iceland does.

I'm not strongly attracted to the romance of axe-weilding, beardy blonds ripping and pillaging across the seas, so I won't lament if that isn't the focus of a medieval Scandinavian civ for once.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

I'm not strongly attracted to the romance of axe-weilding, beardy blonds ripping and pillaging across the seas, so I won't lament if that isn't the focus of a medieval Scandinavian civ for once.

I'm still convinced we'll get some form of them. I don't think it will be in Exploration though.
At this point Antiquity Norse to me makes so much sense as a progenitor civ to the Normans, Iceland/Denmark, and a potential Kyivan Rus' civ.

 

[Lebo44]

At this point Antiquity Norse to me makes so much sense as a progenitor civ to the Normans, Iceland/Denmark, and a potential Kyivan Rus' civ.

IMO its unlikely we'll see a Nordic antiquity civilization added. Goths seem the more probable choice to take the spot of this progenitor civ (cheaper solution for FXS as no need to produce additional assets when another Nordic civ is covered in Exploration).

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

I'm still convinced we'll get some form of them. I don't think it will be in Exploration though.
At this point Antiquity Norse to me makes so much sense as a progenitor civ to the Normans, Iceland/Denmark, and a potential Kyivan Rus' civ.

It would likely be a Khmer or Mississippian situation where they get hand-waved back an Age. The Antiquity residents of Scandinavia are fairly ambiguous. We have good evidence of a bronze and iron age culture there, but not much attestation of it, beyond a few unreliable Roman sources and the speculated link between Geats and Goths. And the Goths probably wouldn't be depicted as vikings.

 

[wilcoxchar]

Man I don't want to be that guy but...akchtually,*fixes glasses* the Triple Alliance yes..about a century, Tenochtitlan around 200 years, and the Mexica themselves probably were wondering the central valley since the XII century.

Fair point there.

Now don't get me wrong, Im in your boat when it comes to Iceland. If anything I think I'ts really cool to see the exploration side of the Norse being given a chance to shine. I think Iceland would point in that direction.

If anything I think It's clear at this point they are mixing newcomers and some favourites on the DLC's, and saving the absolutely fan favorites for Xpacks. Iceland now doesn't prevent other Nordic civs from making it in. if anything I prefer it if we dont' get an all encompasing "viking" civ. and instead get more representation.

I agree with you, I also don't want to see some all encompassing "Viking" or "Norse" civ in antiquity either. If we're getting another Nordic civ, I actually would much rather see a modern Denmark that's science or culture focused. They could easily do a scientific Denmark based on all the scientists who attended or taught at the University of Copenhagen like the Bohrs (and Heisenberg and Pauli who worked at Copenhagen with them), Orsted, Romer, and admittedly stretching back a bit but he's important to mention for Danish science, Brahe. The culture route would most likely be based on the Danish Golden Age.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

IMO its unlikely we'll see a Nordic antiquity civilization added. Goths seem the more probable choice to take the spot of this progenitor civ (cheaper solution for FXS as no need to produce additional assets when another Nordic civ is covered in Exploration).

There seems to be a consensus that it has to be one or the other, when it's very likely we could just get both the Norse and Goths in the same age.

It would likely be a Khmer or Mississippian situation where they get hand-waved back an Age.

That's what I think. In my mind Denmark could then be portrayed as they were post-Viking, Kalmar Union and Danish overseas colonies.

I agree with you, I also don't want to see some all encompassing "Viking" or "Norse" civ in antiquity either. If we're getting another Nordic civ, I actually would much rather see a modern Denmark that's science or culture focused. They could easily do a scientific Denmark based on all the scientists who attended or taught at the University of Copenhagen like the Bohrs (and Heisenberg and Pauli who worked at Copenhagen with them), Orsted, Romer, and admittedly stretching back a bit but he's important to mention for Danish science, Brahe. The culture route would most likely be based on the Danish Golden Age.

I'd be surprised if they wouldn't save Sweden for the role as the Modern one.
Though I guess Denmark could work if the Exploration Age one is Iceland.

 

[Ryansinbela]

There seems to be a consensus that it has to be one or the other, when it's very likely we could just get both the Norse and Goths in the same age.

That's what I think. In my mind Denmark could then be portrayed as they were post-Viking, Kalmar Union and Danish overseas colonies.

I'd be surprised if they wouldn't save Sweden for the role as the Modern one.

I wanted Sweden in modern and with Ottomans being Modern that seems more likely
Would prefer Denmark as the exploration Viking ref

 

[queenpea]

Who was considered niche? I guess Gran Colombia but I've seen it mentioned by plenty of people, unlike "Pirate Republic."

Gaul, Vietnam, Ethiopia (in away), and even Portugal because of its playstyle. Perhaps niche is the wrong word, but I am searching for a way to describe these late DLC lifecycle civilizations.

 

[Lord Lakely]

I think every player has a mental list of the civilizations they would like to see in the game.

I believe the point of the OP is that "Pirate Republic" is probably low on that list for many players. To me, the idea of a "Pirate Republic" civilization reminds me of late-game Civ VI content when we got wacky game modes or niche civilizations à la New Frontier Pass.

I am mostly hoping it's a Scenario only Civ, and not an actual full-blown inclusion.

Between Blackbeard and Sayyida al-Hurrah, there does appear to be a pirate theme of sorts.

 

[SammyKhalifa]

I am mostly hoping it's a Scenario only Civ, and not an actual full-blown inclusion.

Between Blackbeard and Sayyida al-Hurrah, there does appear to be a pirate theme of sorts.

Flying Gang is a CS too.

 

[Alexander's Hetaroi]

Gaul, Vietnam, Ethiopia (in away), and even Portugal because of its playstyle. Perhaps niche is the wrong word, but I am searching for a way to describe these late DLC lifecycle civilizations.

Ok. I'm not sure if I'd use the term niche either for them, except maybe Gaul. Portugal and Ethiopia have been in previous games, despite their playstyle, and Vietnam was a better designed version of Iroquois from past games, not to mention heavily requested.
A truly niche civ to me would be someone like the Inuit, who would have no business getting in the game unless someone really wanted a civ that could thrive in snow and ice.

 

[Ryansinbela]

I’ve seen some people come up with interesting playstyles for a Pirate Civ and it would be fun

 

[phoenixician]

The Ottomans seems to be Modern Civ (and I agree with that decision). As it was already discussed somewhere, Byzantium should be Exploration Civ and matched together with a Turkish tribe (Seljuks for example) in that Age.

I agree with Ottomans being Modern. But since Grand Bazaar, which was built by the Ottomans, is in Exploration Age, I wonder how they're going to reconcile that.

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

I agree with Ottomans being Modern. But since Grand Bazaar, which was built by the Ottomans, is in Exploration Age, I wonder how they're going to reconcile that.

They don't? It's just a wonder that anyone can build. They will get another associated wonder for the Modern Age

 

[Ryansinbela]

Maybe they get a unique event
My guess for Ottomans wonder is Topkapi Palace

 

[TheGhostEnthusiast]

The Pirate Republic and the Ottomans potentially being in the same release along with Blackbeard and a Muslim privateer makes me wonder if they plan on having the two Civilizations as synergistic naval powers in different Ages. The series has historically liked naval Ottomans... I wonder how Tonga, Maori, and Whina Cooper fit into that theming. It's purely conjecture, but I also wonder if Blackbeard and Sayyida are present in the files because they developers were still deciding on which one they wanted to be the "pirate" leader to go with Nassau and Istanbul, given that if both of them were in the game they'd be competing for the same niche.