I made a rough back translation of the interview from ComputerBild Spiele
Disclaimer: my english could be improved. And the german interview is already pretty messy anyway. So please don't shoot me for any things lost in translation (or english grammar
)
[Interview Starts]
CBS: The expansion is named "Gods&Kings". Is religion back in the game?
DS: Thats the case. But the fans will see, that we use this element totally different than in the previous installment. (FYI: Religions were last included in "Civilization 4")
CBS: Different in what manner?
DS: At the beginning each player builds a kind of pantheon - an early religion. With this he can archive up to three "believes", which are one time bonuses. If a player settles in a highland terrain, he would choose a "believe" which leads to each quarry being a place of religious worship. In this manner he earns faith.
CBS: What can I do with faith?
DS: Sooner or later the player will receive a great prophet which will announce a world religion. With this you receive two additional "believe"-slots, which will be mighty. The 30 pantheon believes are good, but the 20 world religion "believes" are much more powerful. The five which the player chooses are only available to him. Each "believe" is unique and after being taken it is locked for the other players.
CBS: Does a religion disappear if the founding civilization is destroyed?
DS: No, it doesn't work this way. World religions spread without boarders. There is even one "believe" which allows the player to tax every believer - even the population of foreign countries.
CBS: What additional changes are included in the expansion?
DS: The diplomacy changes considerable. There shall be events which have their roots in the real history and will make friendships between the peoples easier or harder. The religion will also play a role in this. Starting at the age of renaissance spies with amazing capabilities will be available for the use against opponents.
CBS: Which capabilities do they have?
DS: The coolest ability is option to see the basic direction another reign will take and to see, what the leader wants to build and what troop movements he plans for the next 20-30 moves. With this knowledge you can counteract a war or prepare for it. For this however you need a superspy.
CBS: And how do I get one?
DS: With experience. Spies level up, each successful action gives points and the spy will get better. If he dies, one starts with a new one having no experience. So you should deploy them carefully.
CBS: The city states were a new element in "Civilization 5". Is there some enchantment for this feature ?
DS: Yes. There are new types of cities, e.g. a religious. And we will hinder the simple improvement of the influence through gold payments. The cooperation with the city and the accomplishment of favors will be more in the focus. You have to play harder to turn a city into a friend or an ally.
CBS: Usually there is no expansion without new civs and military units. Are you keeping this tradition?
DS: Certainly! Nine new civilizations are included in the expansion, e.g. the Maya, the Kelts and Carthage. Regards military there will be a lot going on at the sees. We got the impression that we had to improve here. There are melee-naval units, siege from the sea is possible and with the admiral there is a new leader in the game.
CBS: You have excluded spies and religion from "Civilization 5" - core elements in "Civilization 4". Now they are coming back. Why?
DS: The fans have decided. In the new installment they praised the differences of the civilizations, e.g. that India can be played pretty well with just a few cities, while Russia goes for rapid expansion. This differences, this individuality is what we want to increase with the addition of religions and espionage. But like I said at the beginning, both elements are used differently than in "Civilization 4".