We’ve seen how the game is regaining momentum, with the community split between those frustrated and demanding more, and those simply happy to see it still growing.
What do you hope for in 2026?”
REDDIT:
OFFICIAL FORUM:
The Republic of Venice
I live in Italy, and whenever I go towards Venice, I can’t help but stop to admire the unique architecture of the old buildings from this amazing and historic Republic. Even outside its own region, there are cities like Bergamo that still feature the Lion of San Marco in various places. In fact, Bergamo alone has 12 lions, and in many other cities across the Mediterranean, you can spot the lion in some form, you simply cannot miss it. Many of these cities, once controlled by the Republic of Venice, also feature clock towers, reflecting Venetian influence on civic life and architecture.
Their palaces and history are completely unique. You can recognize them just by the architecture, even without an explicit symbol like the Lion of San Marco. Venice itself was like a piece of jewelry in its time, and today modern civilization has borrowed much from it. Venice became powerful by trading rare, high-value goods like spices and silk, controlling global trade. They had contracts with the Ottomans, Byzantines, and Chinese, and they were the primary channel for Asian trade into Europe.
Venice produced figures like Vivaldi and Marco Polo, among many others. I refuse to believe that anyone doesn’t know what Venice is, or hasn’t seen it at least once in their lifetime. It’s one of the most touristic places in the world, and it would be unwise to forgive it and reduce it to just one of the game’s variants, using only its units for other civilizations and nothing unique for itself, since today we still remember its history. I truly think it deserves a place in Age of Empires 4.
Here’s a reminder of a great man Toto Cutungo, who is no longer with us, and who used to be an icon for Europe and many other countries.
Considering we got a Eastern DLC coming shortly, I believe we should go back to some European Civs.. Spanish should be 100% locked in, Viking would be great - however now we have Macedon coming that has a Scandinavian vibe I doubt we will see it.
Thoughts?
No. It’s time for America to enter the chat
Inca, Aztecs incoming
IMO (GoldenArmorX idea) the perfect timing would be first Spanish (and maybe Portuguese too) and in the second DLC the Incas and mesoamericans with ‘Conquistadores’ Spanish variant
Can someone explain me what would exactly be the Spanish civilization ? I guess that we’re obviously not talking about the Ummayad rule on the Iberian peninsula, so the civ should be called “Castillans” ?
Yeah Castillians is more history accurate
There were also Aragon, Leon and Navarre Kingdoms!
As a Spaniard (from Asturias, where the Reconquista began and where the Crown of Castile eventually rose), I wouldn’t mind the inclusion of Castile instead of “Spanish” as such, since it was the largest compared to Aragon and Navarre. But without those other two, it would feel like the picture is only half complete.
Taking into account the current context, history, marketing, and potential sales, I would actually implement a faction simply as “Spanish,” given that the dynastic union dates back to 1469 and the composite monarchy to 1512—both within the game’s timeframe.
And considering the direction we’re heading, It would also allow for the possibility of including future variants (Aragon, Navarre, Conquistadors…) which could continue generating revenue for the game’s development.
Back in the pre launchment days, @Skadidesu and I thought about a Iberian civ where the age up option woyld be the union of different christian iberian kingdoms, with the possibility to have Portugal in it too.
Iberian medieval history is all about Reconquista, which makes perfect sense for a mechanic like that.
Ehhm not only Reconquista
There is Visigoths Reign and Al-Andalus too
I’d like for the Spanish civ in AoE4 to be in the form of the Castilians.
It would be nice, but as Castilla, Aragón and Navarra mixed in Spain, why not give Spanish and introduce some new mechanich like KT?
I voted Venetians (I don’t know if it would 100% right to call them Republic of Venice because they didn’t start as one, back in the 8th century, but it sounds so awesome) because it would complete the trinity of the Mediterrenean with Byzantines and Ottomans and also because it’s a Civ with huge potential for uniqueness and often overlooked. Has lots of connections with continental powers while also getting in touch with Mongol China, India, Africa.
Second vote went for the Incas but it was an afterthought, I first chose Aztecs. Truth is both would be fine to me, so we also have an American Empire.
I want to raise attention 
on a thing: 'til now new Civs couples never had a (strong) thematic tie.
Ottomans and Malians? Are they both kinda southern? They both have gunpowder specialities?
Byzantines and Japanese? Are they both “eastern”? Don’t really know. Just happened to be together, imo.
So, when people vote Spain & Portugal or maybe Poland & Lithuania I guess those geographically close couples aren’t likely. Spain & Aztecs would make a great couple, geographically afar but historically close.
That’s why I’d bet on couples like Venice & Inca or Denmark & Khmer. It’s a wishlist I know but… just sayin’.
I voted Spanish and Aztecs (obvious pairing) but unfortunately i think we’ll be getting more variants.
Celts please. I mean theres aleast 40 million of celtic desent in US alone
Why do people want Aztecs more than Incas?
For centuries, the Portuguese and the Spanish ruled the world. How is it possible that they aren’t included in Age of Empires 4?
Historically, they are two of the most important peoples of our past.
Personally, because the Aztecs lasted longer and had a greater impact on the region than the Incas.
Even though aztecs only lasted 8 months and their region was fully absorbed in a year and a half by the viceroyalty, I think the main reason is that Mexico is right below us in the map and the culture is more well known and familiar to us. Besides, people like the stereotyped idea of savages vs europeans. Which is well romanticized and represented in pop culture about aztecs and spanish. In the end, that’s what matters in the market: what’s more popular and well known in pop culture.
In contrast, you have incas who are not so well known for us americans, therefore not so popular. Most people don’t know they lasted about 40 years against the Spanish, conquered Spanish territory sometimes, used cannons and had cavalry squads. They break completely the preconceived ideas from pop culture explained above. So they are not a popular market point to sell.
Also something that might make a bit more sense: Aztecs represent one of many empires that rose and fell in the region. I think there’s a bit of a logical error happening where people expect that identity to be the entire basis of the civ when they were a ruling power for about 94 years.
Or something that I find pretty tasteless, which is basing the civilization around the colonizing powers that ran through the region at the complete tail end of the timeline.
Maybe it would help to enlighten people if they made an in-depth faction, so people stop making the mistake of breaking down an entire culture with one identity.
