...This is what makes me think that there will either be a 3rd expansion or additional post-xpac DLC; there are simply too many civs that have yet to return; not even counting Sioux/Hittites/Mali, they would have to cut ~10 civs from V's roster with this rate of civ addition. It's a tall order (ie: cut Shoshone, Huns, Songhai, Siam, Assyria, Venice, Polynesia, ...Sweden? Morocco? Austria?) But I think it's far more likely they cut a few civs and sneak in the rest in other, DLC/xpac-related ways.
Sumer is very similar to Assyria, Khmer is very similar to Siam. I would argue that those two are 'in the game' at this point. I don't think anybody expects the Shoshone to make a return. Firaxis wasn't even intending them to appear the first time. I think they'd avoid Polynesia in favour of a specific polynesian group this time (Maori for example). I would be surprised if we ever see Morocco, Austria or Sweden again.
I think Firaxis is trying to avoid 'blanket civs' as much as possible now. Certainly with North American native tribes, their approach seems to be putting one tribe in each game as a representative of the group. The Native American civ in IV was distasteful and since then they've gone for Iroquois, Shoshone and now Cree. Sioux haven't appeared in some time. I have a feeling that with so many tribes available, they'll just keep exposing us to different ones as long as possible to represent the region.
I could see a similar approach with the Italian city states. Venice got in last time, maybe this time it's Genoa, or another smaller faction in Ren. Italy?
===========================================================================
We have 5 remaining civ slots. We have 3 men and 2 women so far (Cree are almost guaranteed a male leader). Assuming they keep things relatively even, I'd say the Ottomans will take the fourth male leader position. Inca will likely take the fifth male position. This means there are 2 women remaining.
There are probably no more warmongers on the roster. We have yet to see any cultural power from an R&F civ or even any R&F specific abilities (no loyalty, disasters, alliances, etc). There is also no representation from Africa (assuming Inca and Ottomans are in, Africa is the only neglected region). As Eagle Pursuit said, I assume Mali is out since the Netherlands has taken the 'economic powerhouse' spot on the roster.
There are tons of African ruling women to choose from. I made a post here many pages ago that listed a few options. Carthage can't have Hannibal, so that would mean a return of Dido. Tamar, Zenobia and Ranavalona are all good options. Aksum/Ethiopia with Sheba and Zulu with Nandi are worse, but still possible options.
In terms of Europeans, Portugal has strong female leaders to choose from; there's no way a Joao is making an appearance. Boudicca has been sighted as a Great General, so she won't be appearing either. I don't see an Italian [city state] civ appearing unless somebody can come up with a suitable female leader (Borgia or Medici family member, maybe?).
Of course Tamar is a very real option as well.
So 2 women, at least one of which must have a culture focus. One of the women is probably from Africa. With that in mind, any theories?
