Thanks for tuning in to our Shawnee livestream + Dev Diary #2: Leaders & Civs

[FXS_Sar]

Hey all - just a couple updates from the team!

First, thanks for tuning in!
A huge, huge thank you to everyone who tuned in for the latest Civ Streams! Our dev team had a blast sitting down with Shawnee guests Chief Barnes and Karl Meyer to discuss bringing Tecumseh and the Shawnee to Civ VII. This has been the result of an incredible partnership with the Shawnee tribe, and we're honored and grateful for their support.

• If you missed the stream, check it out here: 2kgam.es/4epl9xF
• Learn more about the Shawnee: shawnee-nsn.gov

An Exploration Age deep-dive is on the way soon in the next livestream. More news to come!

Second, check out Dev Diary #2: Leaders & Civs!
Ever wonder how Civs & Leaders are chosen for Civ 7? Learn about the selection process and more from our Executive Producer, Dennis Shirk, in Dev Diary #2: Leaders and Civs!

Plenty more to come on the road to February so stay tuned (and just in case it hasn't been said enough, thanks for being the best fans in gaming)

 

[Daigotsu Max]

Native Americans civs have always been some of my favourite to play, and to learn about in the games. I loved playing as the Cree in 6 and the Iroquois and Shoshone in 5. So seeing the Shawnee included from the start has made me look forward to the game even more!

(also orange is my favourite colour, keep the orange hearts coming!)

 

[Haig]

Sar can you give a hint if we can expect another livestream this month?

 

[Olleus]

Anyone willing to write up a quick summary of info revealed during the stream?

 

[Uberfrog]

It was a really great stream - you could really tell how enthusiastic Chief Barnes and Karl were to be involved!

I absolutely love the music and art that has been put together, and the way the Shawnee (and everyone else!) have unique city and unit art.

Great work everyone!

 

[FXS_Sar]

Sar can you give a hint if we can expect another livestream this month?

Weelll the PAX panel is coming up this week! As for our Exploration Civ Stream, no official date to share yet, but I'll be sharing more news on it later this month!

 

[The Fanatical]

Anyone else loves that now the leaders' icons change depending on their mood, instead of having just a circular happy or angry face below their head.

Every unit in each era will have an analogous appearance to the civilization it originated from, an aesthetic change that is one of my favourites. The Knight here looks like Native American horsemen, and the Commander looks like a Native American chief leading his warriors.

One thing that disappoints me is the identical appearance of walls. Here the Medieval Walls contrast with the other Native American architecture and units. Some variety should exist. Eastern Asian, South East Asian, Mesoamerican, Native American, Middle Eastern, Indian, Egyptian, Greco-Roman etc. It would have added an extra flavour to the game.

Resource icons don't seem to be of the same quality, according to my eyes at least. In this image for instance, Marble and Silk are perfect, Wine is acceptable, Dyes are below average. Horses, Gypsum, Jade and Truffles are awful. I would advise the team to revision some icons.

 

[Zaarin]

One thing that disappoints me is the identical appearance of walls. Here the Medieval Walls contrast with the other Native American architecture and units.

Yes, a palisade such as the Haudenosaunee built may have looked less impressive, but it would have looked more cohesive.

 

[Uberfrog]

Yes, a palisade such as the Haudenosaunee built may have looked less impressive, but it would have looked more cohesive.

View attachment 705596

There is probably a need to distinguish between different levels of walls - the ones pictured in the stream are Medieval Walls, so wooden palisades may not have implied the same defensive power.

 

[The Fanatical]

There is probably a need to distinguish between different levels of walls - the ones pictured in the stream are Medieval Walls, so wooden palisades may not have implied the same defensive power.

I mean, the name would have still been Medieval Walls, so I don't think that would have been an issue. The same statement can be made about the Native American units, they don't wear plate armour, but nonetheless they will have an identical combat strength to European knights.

 

[The_goggles_do_nothing]

I like the advanced era start feature. I wonder if points could be assigned on a per civ and per leader as a balance mechanism, and if you can start a ancient era game with an advanced start.

 

[AriochIV]

Having a Native American light cavalry unit as a "Knight" is eleven kinds of ridiculous.

 

[pokiehl]

Having a Native American light cavalry unit as a "Knight" is eleven kinds of ridiculous.

I disagree. What they did with the Shawnee variant of the Knight unit is really cool. One, it looks really great. Two, it's awesome that they worked together with the Shawnee to creatively figure out an authentic solution. Three, it's way better than everyone having a generic European knight unit.

 

[AriochIV]

I disagree. What they did with the Shawnee variant of the Knight unit is really cool. One, it looks really great. Two, it's awesome that they worked together with the Shawnee to creatively figure out an authentic solution. Three, it's way better than everyone having a generic European knight unit.

A unit doesn't have to be a European Knight to represent heavy cavalry.

I realize that the Shawnee didn't have armor, but they also didn't have 90% of the other fantasy buildings being shown here. At least they gave the Shawnee Crossbowmen actual crossbows.

 

[Zaarin]

I disagree. What they did with the Shawnee variant of the Knight unit is really cool. One, it looks really great. Two, it's awesome that they worked together with the Shawnee to creatively figure out an authentic solution. Three, it's way better than everyone having a generic European knight unit.

The lengths they've gone to make units and buildings unique (for the Shawnee but also for all the other civs, like Maurya's elephant settler) makes me extremely excited.

A unit doesn't have to be a European Knight to represent heavy cavalry.

I realize that the Shawnee didn't have armor, but they also didn't have the other 90% of fantasy buildings being shown here. At least they gave the Shawnee Crossbowmen actual crossbows.

The Shawnee knight was wearing reinforced leather and bone pipe armor and carrying a long spear (lance); I think it's fair to call it close enough. The only heavy armor you'll find in indigenous North America would be the wood slat armor they wore in the PNW.

 

[The Fanatical]

Having a Native American light cavalry unit as a "Knight" is eleven kinds of ridiculous.

It's a more authentic depiction than knights with iron jaguar helmets, to tell you the truth.

 

[Boris Gudenuf]

The lengths they've gone to make units and buildings unique (for the Shawnee but also for all the other civs, like Maurya's elephant settler) makes me extremely excited.


The Shawnee knight was wearing reinforced leather and bone pipe armor and carrying a long spear (lance); I think it's fair to call it close enough. The only heavy armor you'll find in indigenous North America would be the wood slat armor they wore in the PNW.
View attachment 705601

I know I've posted on this before, but it's appropriate here:

Several US Army officers in their memoirs testified to the fact that plains Natives' leather shields and sometimes their body armor of leather was bullet-proof: pistol bullets bounced off even at point-blank range.

Reason was they were made from Bison leather, and the hide on a Bison, especially over the forehead and shoulders, could be over an inch (25 - 30mm) thick. That produced some exceedingly tough leatherwork. In fact, it made it as tough as the metal on French cuirassier breastplates, which were 'proofed' by having a pistol shot at them from close range, leaving a small dent in the plate.

So, Native American leather armor, at least, was as good as anything a European knight was wearing, just not as extensive in covering all parts of the body.

 

[Andrew Johnson [FXS]]

Thanks, y’all. This was such a rewarding thing and I’m super exhausted but it was really nice to see all the positive fan reaction today.

 

[Ryansinbela]

Great stream

 

[Eagle Pursuit]

Thanks, y’all. This was such a rewarding thing and I’m super exhausted but it was really nice to see all the positive fan reaction today.

From my perspective, it looks like you guys did everything right. The representatives of the Shawnee appeared to be very happy. I hope that you're able to replicate this pattern and work with more people like them.