This is a concept I was wondering if it could be implemented after the game's release. One of my favorite parts about Stellaris was being able to create my own race from scratch, so it got me thinking. What if there was an update that allowed players to create their own faction for single and/or multiplayer. Obviously, there would need to be checks and balances, but imagine the even more endless possiblities because players could have the building asethics of the Egyptians but the warrior culture mentality of the Vikings. Heres a list of some things that could be customizable. 

Empire/Faction Name: Obviously a filter system to prevent naughty words if this is used in multiplayer

Flag/Symbol: Again kinda like Stellaris, maybe options from different preset logos but with the ability to use any color with like a color wheel

Traits: Here's where the interesting part kicks in. Players would be able to take traits from the different groups in the games. For example, lets say that the Egyptians had a bonus where their farms get +1 food when built next to a river. Like in Stellaris, it would cost the player X amount of points to implement that trait into their civ. On the other hand there are other negative traits, like increase to production needed to complete buildings and maybe even the inability to declare surprise wars based on the player's culture. The negatives would add points back. Obviously there would need to be a limit on how many traits a player can have in their civ. Perhaps a minimum of 3, one of which has to be negative. This would help create balance so that players cant break the game with their civ. 

Building/Cosmetics: Players could select from the different in game creations for their on map characters to wear as well as the architectural stylings of their buildings. Perhaps there could even be modded content allowed into this part of the game as long as the mods are only used in single player mod to prevent crashing. 

These are just some ideas. Apologies if someone has already posted a similar concept earlier. I defintelty can't wait for this game's release! 

I reckon this is a great idea also. I would definitely like to be able to create my own civ from scratch in Humankind. Using the point allocation/cost system like in Stellaris would be ideal to make balanced civs. Hope this idea spreads around a bit more.

I always found custom civs to be weird. For historical games, predefined civs are even weired. I understand they're there to keep familiarity with the real world, but..

.. if you think about it, it's silly that every faction is predestined to make their way through the world a certain way. And the choice of culture/civ/leader/faction influences how you play and try to win the game, when in reality it was the other way around. The circumstances of every culture is what shaped that culture into what it is today. 

It would make more sense that nations, cultures and factions are built based on how the player plays through their game (it will depend on the geography, how close the neighbours are, resources available, player personality, etc) and then the result of that playthrough should be formation of the culture later in the game.

Because it makes more sense to have a "trade" culture because you're in good relations and most of your wealth comes from luxury resources that happened to be near your starting location then to have a faction starting with nice war-time boosts and playin it like it's a trader.

Humanboi11 wrote:

[...] imagine the even more endless possiblities because players could have the building asethics of the Egyptians but the warrior culture mentality of the Vikings.

That's already what the game is offering, isn't it?

The whole idea of the culture mechanics of Humankind is that you can start as one culture, and then evolve into another. So you could hypothetically pick the Egyptians in the "Ancient Era" and pick the Vikings at the "Medieval Era".

That being said, Endless Legend and Endless Space 2 both allows for the creation of custom factions. I wouldn't be surprised if they allowed you to add custom factions for various eras, even though it would be weird for a "historical" title in my opinion.

Stonehead wrote:

And the choice of culture/civ/leader/faction influences how you play and try to win the game, when in reality it was the other way around. The circumstances of every culture is what shaped that culture into what it is today. 

It would make more sense that nations, cultures and factions are built based on how the player plays through their game (it will depend on the geography, how close the neighbours are, resources available, player personality, etc) and then the result of that playthrough should be formation of the culture later in the game.

Because it makes more sense to have a "trade" culture because you're in good relations and most of your wealth comes from luxury resources that happened to be near your starting location then to have a faction starting with nice war-time boosts and playin it like it's a trader.

And that's the whole idea behind the "Fame" of Humankind. You're not stuck into a box from choosing a "starting civ". You will adapt to the circumstances of your culture's history as the game unfolds and change your strategy as the ages progress.