Unleashing Epic Medieval Rivalries: Why Civilization 7 Must Embrace these Fierce Battles

Highlights

Civilization 7 is the next installment in the Civilization franchise, with Firaxis announcing its development in February, but details about the game are still speculative.

Richard the Lionheart, renowned as a notable English monarch, was previously excluded from previous installments of the Civilization games as they primarily focused on the British Empire, overlooking the medieval era. Nevertheless, this situation is likely to alter with the forthcoming release of Civ 7.

In addition to Richard, Saladin, his significant historical adversary, as well as John, his own sibling, hold the potential to assume leadership roles in Civilization 7. Their inclusion would introduce captivating gameplay dynamics and historical rivalries.

It's almost unbelievable that Civilization 6 was released on PC nearly seven years ago. Since then, the game has received two major expansions and numerous smaller DLCs. Although Firaxis has recently announced Civilization 7, it may be a while before the next installment arrives, leaving fans to speculate about the company's plans. Despite this uncertainty, it's safe to assume that certain civilizations are sure to return.

Among the original fifteen civilizations featured in Civilization 1, England has been included in every game to date. Throughout the numbered games, England has been led by various rulers. However, the renowned English King Richard the Lionheart has been noticeably absent from the Civilization franchise for quite some time. This absence is regrettable, as his inclusion in Civilization 7 would introduce intriguing medieval rivalries to the new game.

Richard the Lionheart’s Absence from Sid Meier’s Civilization

Given Richard the Lionheart’s renowned reputation, it may come as a surprise that he has never made an appearance in previous Civilization games. However, this can be better understood when considering the fact that Civilization tends to focus more on the British Empire rather than the medieval ages when depicting England. This is likely why Elizabeth I is featured in all the mainline games, as well as both Civilization Revolution and Call to Power games. Except for special scenarios, Eleanore of Aquitaine remains the sole medieval English ruler in Civilization.

Firaxis also appears to strive for a balanced representation of male and female rulers, which is commendable. However, this may have an interesting consequence. While history boasts numerous influential queens, Elizabeth and Victoria stand among the most well-known, hence the relatively limited inclusion of male English monarchs in the series. Additionally, similar to Civilization's distinctive portrayal of the peace-loving Gandhi as a nuclear enthusiast, Elizabeth I has become somewhat of a staple in the franchise to the extent that her absence would be noticed by fans.

Civilization 6: Richard vs. Saladin

It is noteworthy how many leaders in Civ 6 share a connection with Richard the Lionheart. Notably, Eleanor of Aquitaine, the ruler of England and France, was Richard's mother. Additionally, Frederick Barbarossa of Germany tragically perished in a river while leading his army to join Richard during the Third Crusade. However, the most significant connection lies with Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who served as Richard's primary adversary during the Crusades.

Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, better known as Saladin, is a fascinating figure with an intriguing background. Originating from a Kurdish family in present-day Iraq, Saladin, at the age of 26, displayed remarkable military prowess during an internal conflict in Egypt. Recognizing his capabilities, he was appointed as Vizier in 1169, a period in his life which is portrayed in Civ 6 through his default Vizier Persona. Following his ascension to the throne as Sultan in 1174, Saladin embarked on successful campaigns to conquer Syria and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. One of his most notable achievements was his resounding victory over the Crusaders at the historic battle of Hattin in 1187. This significant period in Saladin's life is depicted in Civ 6 through his Sultan Persona.

Saladin’s recapture of Jerusalem sparked the Third Crusade in 1189, which introduced Richard the Lionheart onto the scene. Initially, Richard shared leadership with Frederick Barbarossa and Philip II of France. However, by late 1191, he had become the sole de facto leader of the Crusade. The conflict between Richard’s Crusaders and Saladin’s forces persisted for another year, with neither side achieving complete victory. Despite their enmity, the two rulers maintained a level of mutual respect and even continued exchanging gifts after the war concluded in 1192.

Richard and Saladin are renowned figures of the Crusades and have made appearances in various other games. Regrettably, Richard's absence from the Civilization series prevents players from simulating this historical and intriguingly respectful rivalry. To rectify this, Firaxis Games could feature Richard and Saladin in the upcoming Civilization 7.

Civilization 7: Richard vs. Philip II

Apart from Saladin, Richard's most renowned rival was likely his brother, John, who is famously known as the arch-nemesis of Robinhood. However, the two never engaged in direct battle, and John's attempt to seize the throne is better suited for a game like Crusader Kings 3 rather than Civilization 7. Additionally, Civilization typically selects esteemed historical figures as leaders, rather than those who experienced civil war and a decline in their kingdom's power abroad. Nevertheless, Richard had another adversary just across the English Channel.

During the rule of Eleanor and Richard, England held dominion over a significant portion of the French mainland. Philip II, the King of France, was determined to reclaim this territory, although his exact relationship with Richard was complex. They were allies in a civil war against Richard's father and fought alongside each other against Saladin during the Third Crusade. However, conflicting interests and a considerable degree of personal tension eventually led to a confrontation between the two kings. Philip resorted to spreading rumors about Richard, conspiring with John against him, and even bribing the Holy Roman Emperor to orchestrate Richard's abduction.

Richard's imprisonment did not last forever. Eventually, he returned to wage war against Philip. Although the war resulted in mostly English victories, Richard was unable to fully regain his territory in France. However, after Richard's death, Philip had the last laugh. He secretly supported a revolt in English-controlled territory, and successfully invaded and reconquered most of France.

In hypothetical versions of Civilization 7, Richard and Saladin would likely be portrayed as skilled warriors, while Philip might lean towards a more deceitful playstyle. Game mechanics such as slandering rivals and supporting revolts resemble the concept of exerting loyalty pressure on foreign cities in Civilization 6. Additionally, while kidnapping rivals is not a feature in Civilization games, previous installments allowed players to hire friendly civilizations to attack on their behalf. Depending on how Firaxis designs Civilization 7, Philip could potentially offer players beneficial bonuses when utilizing these mechanics.

Civilization 7 is in development.