This may sound a bit hopeful, but here is my two cents on what the XPac might be . . .
It will continue into the Pacific, and will have Four new nations (yes! four!)
New features:
Merchants - You can purchase, sell certain technologies in return for others - there are many different merchants each with their different advantages - Arab merchants, Thai merchants, Chinese, Indian etc.
Taverns - Find mercenaries to fight for you (probably only existant in "Asian" Maps)
Native Towns - special natives who can build their own barracks, towncenter's etc. and have their own economy. You can ally with them diplomatically (like "send us 200 gold) or something. They are usually neutral. Native Towns control their own economy but once allying with them, you can research their techs and train their many units.
Pirates/Bandits - These guys are sort of like Native Towns, but you cannot ally with them. They attack your ships and kill your villagers.
Aggressive Animals - Animals that actually hunt your villagers
Italy (Venice was a huge factor in the earlier ages)- a religious and naval civ.
Denmark (Will also stand in for Sweden and Norway) - a defensive and easy going civ.
Austria (An eastern European Pressence)- an aggressive offensive civ with archaic infantry (like the Spanish)
Japan (had a few island colonies)- a very unique civ, a strange mix between incredible heavy infantry and weak artillery
The New Maps would be . . .
Andes - Mountainous ranges full of Inca treasure and hidden rainforests
Attacama - Dessert Wasteland with a few llamas and (*GASP*) penguins!
Alaska - Mountanous regions with many rabid wolves
Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) - A peaceful woodland with very little animals to hunt
California - Full of gold and coyotes. A lot of taverns too
Hawaii - Two volcanic islands rich with trees and resources.
Galapogus - Tranquil islands full of tortoises but not too many treas. A bit like a naval dependant Patagonia
Polynesia - Lots of islands with natives
British Colombia - LOTS of bears and wood
South Seas - Peppered with small islands and many pirates
Coral Seas -
New South Wales - Jam packed with resources, a sea separates the land from joining on the east side of the map, but it is up for the player to decide to raid the guy on the other side by ships or by crossing a land bridge
Outback - Deserts with lots of potential defensive rock formations. Allying with the natives here would be quite vital.
Bush Ranges - Full of deadly crocs to chomp you up, a hostile and dangerous territory.
New Zealand - A map with a lot of variety - snow cappe mountains, lush forests, open plains, rich seas all in one!
Coral Seas - Trecherous reefs with abundant
Malaysia - Jungles with lurking tigers and full of old ruins and treasures. The most heavily wooded map there is.
South China Seas - From Hong Kong to the Philippines, lots of native towns, pirates and merchants
Micronesia - Tropical rainforests and swamps with many pirates and dangerous crocs
Manchuria - Rich in resources, full of taverns and a large warzone.
The new natives will be:
Aborigines
Mauri
Filipino
Malay
Torres Straight Islanders
Inuit
Polynesian
Samoan
Hawaiian
(you can add more, this is something I don't know too well)
And some new units!
Ships:
Man O War
Iron Clads
Brigs
War Junks
And MORE!
Infantry:
Aquerbes
Grenadiers
Hand Cannon
Commando/Partisan
... Blah
- Conquistador?
Artilery:
Maxim (a bit like a machine gun)
Howitzer Cannon (not a mortar that destroys buildings)
Buildings:
Wonders?
Techs:
"Roads"
Native Units:
War Elephants
Filipino Swordsman
Headhunter
Aboriginie Survival Master
Mauri Haka Warrior
Mercenary Units:
Swiss Knight
Freed Slave
Shaolin Monk
Arabian Rider (on a camel)
Arabian Warrior
Rocket Crossbowmen
Mudghal War Chariot
Mudghal Elephant Archer
Ninja
Korean Iron Ship
The Native Towns will be:
Aztec - Have a very well balanced infantry (Eagle Warriors, Jaguar Warriors, Slinger, Axeman)
Maya - Good spearmen and great archers (Plumed Archers!)as well as a unique priest that can tame animals
Inca - Good ranged infantry amd heavy spearman
Filipino - Have great infantry (Swordsman, Hand Fighter) and cool boats
Malay - Have incredible cavalry
Indonesian - Machetti woodsmen and clubmen
Indochinese - Have very good speermen and composite archers
Changes: Aztecs, Inca and Maya become "Native Towns" - The architecture of the Germans, Ottomans and Dutch need to be made more "unique" - Mortar does not get upgraded into Howitzer - African Americans need to be present somewhere, I feel under represented
Oh, and please let the campaign be better this time???
I think this sounds WAAAAYYY too hopeful but whateva.
[This message has been edited by Kublai tha Kool (edited 12-22-2005 @ 12:28 PM).]