It would be really cool if AoE2 eventually allowed each player to create and save up to 3 completely custom civilizations, usable in Unranked, Custom and Single-Player games, but never in Ranked.
You could create a civ called something like The Empirites, Kingdom of the Sun, or whatever you want, then build its identity using a controlled point system.
For example:
- Choose your civilization name, emblem and description.
- Select up to 5 civilization bonuses, with each bonus costing a certain number of points.
- Choose up to 2 Unique Units.
- Choose up to 2 Unique Technologies.
- Choose a Team Bonus.
- Existing AoE2 units would provide the foundation for your Unique Units, but you could make limited stat/ability modifications.
- Rename the unique units however you want.
So you could take the Longbowman, modify its stats within an allowed range, and rename it Superior Archer. Or take the Cavalier and turn it into your own custom Imperial Knight. The underlying unit would still be based on an existing AoE2 unit, keeping the system manageable and balanced.
The point-budget system would be essential: powerful bonuses, technologies and unit modifications would cost more points, preventing players from simply stacking every strongest ability in the game.
And again, completely separate from Ranked. Ranked remains the carefully balanced official civilization roster, while Unranked becomes the sandbox where players can actually design and experiment with their own civilizations.
I think that would be an incredibly fun long-term feature for AoE2.