Dear AoE 2: DE Development Team,
As a dedicated player of Age of Empires II for almost two decades, I am thrilled about the 2025 DLC’s ambitious updates, especially the addition of the “Xie An” campaign centered on the Battle of Fei River and potential Three Kingdoms-inspired content. However, I would like to respectfully propose adjustments to the color schemes for the Eastern Jin and Former Qin factions based on historical-cultural symbolism and modern design precedents.
- Historical & Cultural Context
Five Virtues Theory (五德终始说): Traditional Chinese dynasties associated themselves with specific colors representing their “virtue” (e.g., Qin dynasty, 221–206 BC: black; Han dynasty, 202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD: red). While exact historical accuracy is debated, modern adaptations often blend tradition with artistic interpretation.
(Eastern) Jin (317–420 AD): As the successor to the Western Jin, the Eastern Jin’s territory overlapped significantly with the Eastern Wu (Three Kingdoms period). Following the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1994 TV series) convention—where Wu used green/cyan (青龙, Azure Dragon of the East)—Eastern Jin could adopt cyan (#007BA7, #00A3AF, #3CCBF4) to reflect both continuity and the proverb “青出于蓝而胜于蓝”.
(Former) Qin (苻坚, 351–394 AD): The Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) famously associated with black (水德, Water Virtue). As a northern regime claiming legitimacy from Qin traditions, Former Qin should retain black to emphasize its historical identity.
- Modern Precedent Design
While the historical accuracy of ancient color symbolism remains debated, modern creators often reinterpret tradition through a culturally resonant lens. A prime example is the 1994 TV series Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which established a color-coding system widely adopted in Chinese media:
- (Cao) Wei: Blue/Black.
- Associated with the Black Tortoise (玄武, Xuanwu) of the North, reflecting Cao Wei’s geographical and symbolic alignment with northern China.
- (Shu) Han: Red
- Linked to the “Flame/Fire Han” (炎汉) identity, emphasizing Shu Han’s claim as the rightful successor of the Royal Liu Family of the Han dynasty.
- (Sun) Wu (Eastern Wu): Green
- Representing the Azure Dragon (青龙, Qinglong) of the East, aligning with Wu’s territorial base in the Yangtze Delta.
- (Western) Jin: Purple
- A fusion of Cao Wei’s blue and Shu Han’s red, symbolizing its usurpation of both regimes. Purple also conveys ambition, fitting its role as a unifier-turned-tyrant.
- (Eastern) Jin: Cyan
- Inheriting Western Jin’s legitimacy but geographically overlapping with Sun Wu’s lands, its cyan hue references the proverb “青出于蓝而胜于蓝” (“Indigo blue surpasses its source”, literally, cyan is better than blue), blending Wu’s green with Wei’s blue.
This system is widely recognized in Chinese media and could inform faction colors for clarity.
However, in games related to Three Kingdoms history made by the Japanese (e.g., Dynasty Warriors series), they use red to represent Sun Wu and green to represent Shu Han, which is a completely wrong and subjective feeling that does not reflect the historical elements.
- Visual Clarity & Player Experience
Using distinct colors like cyan and black would:
- Enhance historical immersion for Chinese-speaking players familiar with these symbols.
- Pay homage to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms legacy, a cultural touchstone for many fans.
Conclusion
I deeply appreciate your team’s commitment to historical richness and gameplay innovation. By refining faction colors to align with these cultural narratives, the Battle of Fei River could resonate even more powerfully with global audiences. Thank you for considering this suggestion!
Sincerely,
Renchong
A 17-Year Veteran of Age of Empires II