What lesser-known/obscure civilizations can be included in Civ7?

[AD1730]

Antiquity Age:
Hebrews
Rapa Nui
Exploration Age:
Venezia
Kievan Rus
Modern Age:
Peru-Bolivia Confederation
Dalmatian Republic

There needs to be a Hebrew civ in the game at some point. Far too much impact on global history to not have them in the game.

 

[Xandinho]

I am not remotely an expert on South America or the Andes, but aren't the Moche the best known (in terms of their culture and society) due to their influence on the Chimu? Would there be enough information to put together all the unique accoutrements for the other two?

I believe that in terms of records, Tiwanaku is probably the most documented of the three and very likely the most influential as well. It’s relatively easy to identify unique infrastructure and an associated wonder for them; I just don’t know much about their military history. However, I believe that wouldn’t be too big of a challenge for an Andean historian.

Regarding Nazca, beyond their famous lines, we know they constructed Puquios—a type of subterranean aqueduct—and practiced rituals involving decapitated heads, which may or may not have been connected to military conquests. Humankind even used "Headhunters" as military units, though that’s more of an artistic liberty based on speculation. I think Nazca would be easily designed as an agrarian and religious/cultural civ that adapts to the desert, with the main challenge being the little to almost nothing we know about their military practices.

Lastly, Moche is certainly the least known of the three in popular culture. However, yes, the Moche undoubtedly influenced Chimor, particularly in ceramics. A Moche civilization could likely be centered around their complex metalworks, possibly featuring something like a "Warrior Priest" as a unique unit—though that concept might lean toward the speculative again. In any case, their spot would likely compete with Nazca, and I don’t think Moche has enough popular appeal to make the cut in the place of Nazca. Although I'd undoubtedly have all of them.

 

[evonannoredars]

However, it's hard to overlook Tiwanaku, as it was probably the most influential Andean civilization after the Incas. Personally, I'd prioritize Tiwanaku and Nazca, leaving the third spot for Moche.

I think the Wari are pretty notable too - the khipu is possibly a Wari invention! They'd be an equally interesting alternative to Tiwanaku imo, with a more militaristic, expansionist and high-altitude focus. It's a shame there isn't a persona-equivalent system for civs because they'd make a fun pair for that.

 

[evonannoredars]

In any case, their spot would likely compete with Nazca, and I don’t think Moche has enough popular appeal to make the cut in the place of Nazca.

Agreed there unfortunately - although I believe we did see the Moche as an independent power, which I can be content with

 

[evonannoredars]

Oh, another minor 'civ' (if it can be called that) which I'd love to see in the game would be the Republic of Pirates. It'd be an unusual choice sure, but a very fun way to interact with the exploration age economic legacy path.

 

[Venceslau Pietro Pietra]

I never imagined that Tesos dos Bichos could be the associated wonder of the Marajoara civ. It's a shame it's so obscure in nearly every other aspect.

Indeed, the other components are more trick to put in place, but i can imagine a marajoara civ with generic tesos as unique improvment who give food (the homes build on top of it) and culture (the urns buried inside), unique ability could be something related to "terra preta" and overall agriculture in the amazon basin, maybe using the new tropical tile type.
Units, tradition and civic names are the brickwall for me, no idea where to go or how to find it.

 

[AriochIV]

My guess is that a lot of these will be city-states, but nothing is off the table for a major civilization. I mean... Buganda.

 

[TheSpaceCowboy]

There needs to be a Hebrew civ in the game at some point. Far too much impact on global history to not have them in the game.

Agreed. About a third of the world belong (at least nominally) to religions which can be categorized as Abrahamic monotheism.
The Hebrews are far and away the most influential civilization never included in the games, and the absence is conspicuous, to put it mildly

 

[Patine]

There needs to be a Hebrew civ in the game at some point. Far too much impact on global history to not have them in the game.

Agreed. About a third of the world belong (at least nominally) to religions which can be categorized as Abrahamic monotheism.
The Hebrews are far and away the most influential civilization never included in the games, and the absence is conspicuous, to put it mildly

Though, the early Iron Age Kingdoms of United Israel, then Judah and Israel (Samara) have inconsistent and incomplete archaeological and contemporary verification, and a number of noted contradictions to historical events, timelines, and inventions in Biblical Scripture, while the Hasmonean and Herodian Kingdoms are much more historically verified and detailed, as well.

 

[ehecatzin]

I really want to see mesoamerica get better representation in civ, there's really no excuse for the mayor players to not make it under civ VII systems.

• Teotihuacan (Antiquity)
• Zapotecs (Antiquity or exploration)
• Purepecha (exploration)

Teotihuacan, I think It's really due, and the inclusion of The Piramid of the Sun makes me hopeful for them, They would be a good fit for 1 city challenge.
Zapotecs, could have mountainous bias, they were very longlasting could fit either antiquity or exploration without issue.
Purepecha, the Aztecs really could use an asskicking, and the Purepecha provided it time and again, besides Erendira could be an interesting leader for Firaxis to pull from.

 

[untitledjuan]

I also have a great interest in Mesoamerica and the Andes. I think Nazca will eventually be included due to the Nazca Lines being pop culture, thanks to those crazy theories about aliens. However, it's hard to overlook Tiwanaku, as it was probably the most influential Andean civilization after the Incas. Personally, I'd prioritize Tiwanaku and Nazca, leaving the third spot for Moche. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be that lucky.

It would be cool to have the Muisca as well, to have some northern Andean representation outside of the "traditional" Peruvian Andes which later became the Inca Empire.

The Muisca, due to their Chibchan ancestors coming from Central America and the Caribbean, could also be linked in-game with an Arawak or Taíno civilization.

The Muisca and/or the Arawak could help bridge the gameplay gao between Mesoamerica and the central Andes.

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

Can we put together a coherent Civ design for the Etruscans? Do we have a language to name their Civics and Policies with?

I would love if the answers were “yes,” even if there isn’t much room for Ancient Italians when they would share an Age with Rome.

 

[Patine]

Can we put together a coherent Civ design for the Etruscans? Do we have a language to name their Civics and Policies with?

Are only other option is to use Latin words.

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

Which would only make the redundancy/similarity to Rome more glaring. :/

(my questions aren’t rhetorical by the way, I genuinely don’t know!)

 

[Xandinho]

It would be cool to have the Muisca as well, to have some northern Andean representation outside of the "traditional" Peruvian Andes which later became the Inca Empire.

The Muisca, due to their Chibchan ancestors coming from Central America and the Caribbean, could also be linked in-game with an Arawak or Taíno civilization.

The Muisca and/or the Arawak could help bridge the gameplay gao between Mesoamerica and the central Andes.

Indeed. But I consider them sufficiently documented, that's why I didn't include them in the poll. I believe both were already viable in the old Civilization model. Arawak is even on my list of Exploration Civs that links northern South America/Amazon and the Caribbean and can transition to Brazil and Colombia in the Modern Age.

 

[Zaarin]

Agreed. About a third of the world belong (at least nominally) to religions which can be categorized as Abrahamic monotheism.
The Hebrews are far and away the most influential civilization never included in the games, and the absence is conspicuous, to put it mildly

The problem is that their religion has been extremely influential, but their civilization was completely overshadowed by their neighbors, especially the Phoenicians, by far the most influential of the Canaanite civs. I think Judah is better represented by having Judaism as a religion in the game and as an Independent People.

Can we put together a coherent Civ design for the Etruscans? Do we have a language to name their Civics and Policies with?

I would love if the answers were “yes,” even if there isn’t much room for Ancient Italians when they would share an Age with Rome.

Their language is poorly attested and not perfectly understood, but we know a little of it. However, the Romans are a major source of our knowledge, and they were ultimately absorbed into Roman culture and society (many Roman gens are Etruscan) so they would be overlappy.

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

I know that the Mycenaeans might go against the spirit of this poll (some may consider them not obscure enough?), but if the Minoans are here I think it only makes sense to include their successors with more identifiable uniques and a better attested language.

You run into the Etruscan-Rome issue where you'd have Proto-Greeks and Classical Greeks sharing an Age, but if the Minoans earn a spot on the list I don't see why the Mycenaeans can't be part of the discussion either.

Mycenaean and Minoan Independent Peoples, anyone? Mycenae is just asking to be a City-State.

 

[Zaarin]

I know that the Mycenaeans might go against the spirit of this poll (some may consider them not obscure enough?), but if the Minoans are here I think it only makes sense to include their successors with more identifiable uniques and a better attested language.

You run into the Etruscan-Rome issue where you'd have Proto-Greeks and Classical Greeks sharing an Age, but if the Minoans earn a spot on the list I don't see why the Mycenaeans can't be part of the discussion either.

Mycenaean and Minoan Independent Peoples, anyone? Mycenae is just asking to be a City-State.

Mykenai is in a difficult position where it would be extremely interesting and also extremely redundant. For a number of reasons I'd prefer Minoa for Late Bronze/Early Iron Age palace culture, the most obvious being that it's not Greek. Still, if we ever did get a Bronze Age...Mykenai would be an obvious inclusion. And yes, Minoans as an IP would be great, and add Labyrinth to the Unique Improvements available from IPs--and the Palace of Knossos as an unassociated wonder would be nice.

 

[Patine]

Labyrinth to the Unique Improvements available from IPs--and the Palace of Knossos as an unassociated wonder would be nice.

From what I've read, I'd reverse that - palaces seem to be built in significant number, but there was only one Labyiinth.

 

[canadamufc]

I think a Métis civilization for the Modern Age could be really, really cool. Mixing Indigenous/European aspects would be interesting.