Hi, 6 of 8 civs have now been announced (English, French, Spanish; Dutch, Portuguese, Germans). Anyone wanna take bets on the last two civs? First read this bit from ES_Sandyman in reply to complaints about there not being enough "northern" cultures:
Quoted from ES_Sandyman:
Germany and Britain aren't "northern countries"!? What do we need to add? Iceland?
So Sandyman's reply suggests that with England and Germany (and Holland) there are enough NORTHERN cultures in the game. So the last two ones may be southern cultures, whatever the hell that may mean. Here are the options according to me:
SOUTHERN options
Venice (500-1800): powerful, wealthy, cultured empire in northern Italy Captured Constantinople, allied with many larger empires, controlled mediterranean trade, fought off the Turks. Outstanding navy and army. Never had colonies in the New World, but hey, Germany didn't either.
EVIDENCE: concept art of Stradiot cavalry (circumstantial)Ottoman Empire (1299-1923): Largest empire in the Middle East and absolute superpower until 17th century. Wealthy, powerful army. Dangerous threat to European nations, held a LARGE part of Europe, sent scientists to Africa and Indonesia to teach the natives guerilla tactics Never had colonies in the new world.
EVIDENCE: noneAustrian or Habsburg Monarchy (1526-1867) Held many parts of Central Europe, the Netherlands, Italy and the Balkan in the 1700s. Multi-cultural, influential, famous for its nobility. Never had colonies in the new world. However:
Quoted from the CGM preview:
During much of this period there was no such thing as Germany, so here they serve as an amalgam of Prussians, Austrians and others from the region.
EVIDENCE: noneNORTHERN options
Sweden (1521- ): One of the great powers in 17th century Europe. Won wars again Poland and Russia, aquired many parts of Scandinavia. Held small colonies in North America.
EVIDENCE: possible blue/yellow Caroliner infantry in screenshot (circumstantial)Denmark (400- ): A smaller nordic country. Controlled trade and fishery in the nordic seas. Strong economy from 17th century on. Held colonies in the Caribbean and North Atlantic.
EVIDENCE: noneRussia (1613- ): When the Duchy of Moscow started expanding its territory, it quickly established one of the largest empires ever seen. Immense economic, and considerable military power. Held colonies in Alaska and California.
EVIDENCE: Nootka (northwestern native tribe) are in the game; Yukon map in the game; eagle on flag in screenshot, as on Russian flagPoland (950-1939): large empire in northern Europe, threathened Russia, Germany, Sweden etc. Never had colonies in the new world.
EVIDENCE: eagle on flag in screenshot, as on Polish flag (circumstantial)ASIAN options
Japan: had contacts with European traders and missionaries in the 1500s but then forbade most international contacts until 1854. Never had colonies in the new world.
EVIDENCE: concept art of Samurai infantry, possible flag in one screenshot (circumstantial)China: lost their technological advantage after the Middle Ages and had to defend itself against European imperialism. Never had colonies in the new world.
EVIDENCE: noneIndia: large and sophisticated empire in the late Middle Ages. Never had colonies in the new world.
EVIDENCE: ES_Bigdog likes tablas (circumstantial)
I'm kinda at a loss here, what other southern, European civs from 1500-1800 were large enough to be in the game?
(and what civs remain for an X-pack :s)
Anyway, enough bullshit. Tell me what you think will be the final two civilizations of Age of Empires 3!
All Hail Giant Squid World Domination
[This message has been edited by SilentScreams (edited 03-25-2005 @ 04:55 PM).]