janboruta
Artistriarch
Civilization franchise has an immense fan base in Poland, often ranting, but overall devoted to the franchise. There was a Polish civilization mod for every iteration of the game starting with Civ3. I really hope that Poland makes it to Civilization eventually, be it in Civ5 as DLC, in expansion pack or even in Civ6 in the future. Poland may not have a distinct "civilization" of its own today, but in history it was a unique country, in its prime in Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance up to the Commonwealth with Lithuania. Poland would fit very well as a cultural and religious civ with the military cherry on the top in the form of Winged Hussars.
I'm not advocating Poland because I'm Polish, but because there is a void in Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe left by Firaxis. I can understand that, traditionally, all Slavic countries are represented in Civilization games by Russia, but the Poles are, in my opinion, a little offset from the Slavic root, being more westernized in language and mentality, similarly to the Czechs.
If there would be a civilization to represent Central Europe that isn't Poland, it would - and should - be Hungary, because - as AbsintheRed said - it was a major power throughout the Middle Ages and was a place where cultures, religions and peoples clashed. Hungarian throne was valuable enough that foreign dynasties fought over it, while unique, maybe a bit romanticized, Magyar culture of horse riding remained an intriguing spot among city-dwelling Germans and rural Slavs.
But, whatever we may hope, the devs have already chosen. My guesses for the 4 remaining civs are:
-Majapahit, due to immense fan demand
-Poland/Hungary/Sweden as a representation of some missing European civs which could provide an interesting gameplay, with Poland and Hungary being likely additions because of the Medieval scenario
-Hittities/Sumerians, although they won't be completely new to Civilization games, but you can't get enough of Ancient and important civs
-Zulu, because they are often a fan favourite.
As for the Victorian scenario (if it takes place in the real world and not on a fantasy continent, which might be the case - either way a steampunk setting would be a refreshment in Civ5), Austria-Hungary will most likely be represented by Roman or Greek UA, the leader would be Franz Josef, but the leaderhead would be replaced by a painted, static portrait, just like the beautiful portraits in the Viking scenario. The same way could be done with the Huns in Fall of Rome scenario being represented by Mongolian UA and maybe UUs with a custom leader portrait.
I'm not advocating Poland because I'm Polish, but because there is a void in Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe left by Firaxis. I can understand that, traditionally, all Slavic countries are represented in Civilization games by Russia, but the Poles are, in my opinion, a little offset from the Slavic root, being more westernized in language and mentality, similarly to the Czechs.
If there would be a civilization to represent Central Europe that isn't Poland, it would - and should - be Hungary, because - as AbsintheRed said - it was a major power throughout the Middle Ages and was a place where cultures, religions and peoples clashed. Hungarian throne was valuable enough that foreign dynasties fought over it, while unique, maybe a bit romanticized, Magyar culture of horse riding remained an intriguing spot among city-dwelling Germans and rural Slavs.
But, whatever we may hope, the devs have already chosen. My guesses for the 4 remaining civs are:
-Majapahit, due to immense fan demand
-Poland/Hungary/Sweden as a representation of some missing European civs which could provide an interesting gameplay, with Poland and Hungary being likely additions because of the Medieval scenario
-Hittities/Sumerians, although they won't be completely new to Civilization games, but you can't get enough of Ancient and important civs
-Zulu, because they are often a fan favourite.
As for the Victorian scenario (if it takes place in the real world and not on a fantasy continent, which might be the case - either way a steampunk setting would be a refreshment in Civ5), Austria-Hungary will most likely be represented by Roman or Greek UA, the leader would be Franz Josef, but the leaderhead would be replaced by a painted, static portrait, just like the beautiful portraits in the Viking scenario. The same way could be done with the Huns in Fall of Rome scenario being represented by Mongolian UA and maybe UUs with a custom leader portrait.
