Sports should be a subsystem

[marius_kaparius]

I would love to see more representation of the history of sport in the game. I feel like sport has played a bigger role in the history of the world than is represented by the odd building or wonder with a happiness buff. Random examples

Wrestling (the inspiration of so many vases and statues)
The original Olympics
Gladiators and the culture around that -> Spartacus as a leader
Chariot Races
Jousting
Football -> At least deserves an icon in the Religion system.
Proliferation of English sports in its Empire
The same for American sports
The modern Olympics
Wrastlin'
Ice Hockey -> Gordie Howe leads Canada (I know leaders are no longer tied to a Civ)

surely there is something here? At least more narrative events that are focused on this? I could see a system that spreads a sport across the world as a means of gaining the all-important Influence giving a system that feeds into diplomacy.

 

[Ryansinbela]

I imagined a Stadium building getting added in a hypothetical 4th age but yeah I would like to see more sports stuff

 

[GeneralZIft]

I like the idea for sure but I don't believe winning the World Cup gives your nation diplomatic power exactly... Perhaps Brazil used it to negotiate trade deals or something? Haha

 

[marius_kaparius]

I like the idea for sure but I don't believe winning the World Cup gives your nation diplomatic power exactly... Perhaps Brazil used it to negotiate trade deals or something? Haha

Ever see Invictus? I think winning the Rugby World Cup did a great deal for South Africa's democracy. England and Australia have had diplomatic incidents over the Ashes etc. I mostly see it as a way of projecting soft power, tough to disconnect from England as India if you need someone to play cricket against.

 

[GeneralZIft]

Ever see Invictus? I think winning the Rugby World Cup did a great deal for South Africa's democracy. England and Australia have had diplomatic incidents over the Ashes etc. I mostly see it as a way of projecting soft power, tough to disconnect from England as India if you need someone to play cricket against.

I'll put it on my to-watch list. Good examples )

 

[Xandinho]

Hosting major sporting events certainly grants a nation a significant amount of soft power, but I believe it's more of a cultural asset than a diplomatic one. While I agree that sports could be a valid system in Civ, I hope it's implemented as part of the Modern Era rather than a fourth era—even though an additional era does seem inevitable.