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.

 

[marius_kaparius]

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.

I could see cultural too and it could be a fun way to spruce up late game culture instead of or in addition to tourism. There was early cultural influence too though, I’m thinking about The Wrestlers at Uffizi for example.