Now that it became quite obvious that the AOE Games receive all similar DLCs, it might be worth to look at other games what would be the next DLC theme to see what could come to aoe2 next.
in the past we had as theme east Asia with AoM receiving China and Japan, AoE2 the 3 kingdoms and Aoe4 the Jin Dynasty. At the beginning of the year, we had America with AoM receiving the Aztecs, and AoE2 the Last Chieftains. and now we have north Europe with the Viking Saga in AoE2, Baltic powers in Aoe3 and AoE4 also receiving the Vikings.
its important to note that not all 4 games are always part of the theme (no America for aoe4, no northern Europe for AoM )
But anyway, let’s look at some potentials, where all games have an empty spot:
1: the elephant in the Room: (Sub Saharan) Africa
in AoE2 we have the most missing and requested Civs in this region. some examples are Kanem-Bornu, Hausa, Songhai, Ghana, Benin, Kongo, Wolof, Yoruba, Swahilis, Zimbabweans, Somalis. the first 3 had big and connected empires in the right timeframe. We could also get animal additions like the Giraffe, Hyena, Hippo for more realistic maps.
in Aoe3 are currently no southern African maps present (in AoE3 they are part of a DLC) and Morrocco, Oman and Zulus could be Civs that were relevant at that time in Africa but are missing in the game.
in AoM are no Sub-Saharan pantheons, so that this also could be a potential addition.
Aoe4 has only the Malians, so that there are also many options.
2: some more Europe
on AoE2 I can only see the Balkans as a not well represented place left in Europe. additions could be the Serbians, Croats and Vlachs (or maybe venetians). this would complete the Slav split, leaving the original Slavs to represent only the (Kievan) Rus.
AOM could introduce the old Slavic pantheon
AoE4 could introduce variant civs or new civs in that area like the Bulgars.
AoE3 is basically done with Europe and had no non-represented independent civs in this region and maps cover all of Europe.
3: North America:
Since the Last chieftains convinced me that American tribes can work in AoE2, I could see the potential addition of the Mississippians, Puebloans and Hougdunese (Iroquois).
AoM could add a north American pantheon.
AoE3 has not really relevant missing items in north America, that are not already covered as natives or revolutions and Maps.
AoE4 also seems to avoid the Americas, but maybe they will add the Spanish and the Azteks then.
4: South east Asia
Ao2 technically well covered, the Thai and Chams could make sense
Aoe4 has nothing in this area yet
Aoe3 is also missing Siam, Korea, Vietnam and Burma and has some spaces not covered by maps in this area.
AoM could add a pantheon in this region, but I have no knowledge of the old religions there.
5: Middle east
I don’t want it, but maybe a Saracen split could come with Mamluks and Kurds, in this case I would hope for the Kingdome of Jerusalem as 3rd civ. But I must admit, I prefer that this area stays as it is.
AoM could add a Babylonian pantheon
AoE3 is missing Persia, Afghans, Uzbeks and Oman and has no maps covering the area of Persia.
Aoe4 always has the option for variant civs but also new Civs could be added here.
The biggest stretch 6: Australia and Polynesia
this region would be completely new for the franchise but also has the biggest challenges.
easiest implementation would be in AoM with a Polynesian pantheon.
AoE3 could add a map pack for Australia and Oceania, with new natives but it would be difficult to develop full civs from the maori for example because the navy and military was not very diverse.
in Aoe2 and 4 I dont see this as realistic for the same reason. I would like kangaroos for our real world map of Australia, but the civs were too basic at that time. basically they would be the same as the Tupi with a water bonus, but I cant see different civ designs that would work except maybe only 1 civ as umbrella.
Which area would you like t o be next
- (Sub Saharan) Africa
- some more Europe
- (North) America
- South east Asia
- Middle east
- Australia and Polynesia
- Something else (add in the coments)
