Well I think the option would be nice. There's no reason that both can't co-exist. If they have those cultures available you are not forced to pick them after all. All they need to do is have the right cultures available to support it, but the problem is they currently don't have enough cultures or the right combination of them.

So this next suggestion is a bit of strange one because it's based on someone else's suggestion. When looking through the google doc, I was quite happy to see that someone had already suggested a culture based on Iran. While I was glad, there were some design choices I disagreed with. In fairness to the original author, I will be posting their original suggestion with my changes marked in red.

To keep this post from becoming too long, I'll be making a subsequent post detailing the reasoning and rationale behind some of the changes I made, it's only fair given the unique circumstances. Long story short, I value cultures being true to their real life counterparts more than introducing cool mechanics or a particular play style, and u/lionelcheahkaien's "Pahlavi Iranians" simply wasn't accurate enough for me. This wasn't the only reason, as some traits had to be changed because they simply didn't work with some of the other changes I made.

Also when writing my description I tried my best to emulate the Humankind’s style. To avoid any confusion I also wanted to say changed my username recently from “TheVisitorGuest” to “FullScreenLurker” in order to remain consistent with my Twitch Account.

As promised here is the subsequent post detailing the rationale behind the changes I made to u/lionelcheahkaien’s “Pahlavi Iranians”. Also like others I opted to be vague with my numbers, because I don’t feel like I know the game or its systems and balance well enough to confidently give specific numbers. 

Culture Name: 

The reason for the name change is relatively straight forward. I simply felt that the adjective “Pahlavi” was a little too specific and unnecessary and that “Iranians” was sufficient enough on its own. Also my suggestions isn't entirely based on Iran during the first half of the 20th century, and takes some inspiration from present day Iran as well.

Era: 

                I was completely satisfied with the era, no changes were needed. I only included it in the chart for completeness

Affinity: 

                For Affinity, I changed it because I just didn’t agree with the categorization Iran as a “Merchant” nation; I didn’t think it suited it and that there were better affinities to give it. To me the affinities are supposed to represent the defining feature of the culture, and I think what the Merchant affinity represents is a country which is known for its control of trade and the importance trade to its society. When I think of a Contemporary Era Merchant Affinity culture, the Gulf States come to mind. I don’t think Iran, both 50 years ago or today really fits that description. Yes Iran made a lot of money from oil in the 60s and 70s, but much of that wealth was used to develop and modernize the country. In fact the legacy of the Pahlavi dynasty was more tied to Iran’s modernization than it was to oil profits. Unlike many other oil-producing countries that simply use their oil to make money and buy what they need, Iran, both under the Shah and today, use its oil to accomplish its goals, either using the profits for development and modernization or using it to build relationships with other more powerful nations. Thus I felt that Aesthete would be a better fit, because I feel like much of Iran’s behavior, especially today, seems to be defined by diplomacy, building relationships with larger powers, and attempting to increase its political influence. 

Legacy Trait: 

                The Legacy Trait was interesting because, because one of the main reasons behind changing it was because in a way I had to. A major function of my Emblematic District, “Public Squares”, was providing a lot of stability, but u/lionelcheahkaien’s Legacy Trait: A Time of Peace and Prosperity was anti-synergistic with it, as it’s supposed to prevent all stability loss in the capital period. That Legacy Trait just wouldn’t work with my Emblematic District, and thus had to be changed. 

                Even though I decided to replace the Legacy Trait, figuring out what that replacement would be was a bit of a challenge. I had several ideas that I didn’t go with, such one in which you would have the ability to prevent all other players from acquiring a strategic resource through trade on demand(essentially embargo all other players from trading a strategic resource of your choice), and another which involved increasing the relationship boost gained from having a shared state religion and having grievances generated against your religion generating war support both for you as well as all other empire that shared your state religion against the offending Empire.

                Ultimately I decided on a Legacy Trait based on Iranians’ Persian heritage (or rather Iranian heritage) and the lasting influence that it has had on their culture and their pride in it. Because traditional Iranian music and poetry still remain popular and are held in high regard, I thought that could be represented by boosting the Commons Quarter, which I believe is the generic district associated with culture and the arts. I’m not sure if this Legacy Trait is too weak though, maybe some of you who know the Humankind’s systems and balance better could come with other ideas. Alternative the White Revolution may also provide a more interesting basis for a prospective Legacy Trait. 

Emblematic Unit: 

                I didn’t really have any complaints about the Emblematic Unit either. It was something that fulfilled all my criteria; it was suitably unique to modern Iran and historically accurate. 

I did have another idea for an Emblematic Unit however, the ambiguously named “Guardsman”. They would have been infantry that would either gain a strength bonus when fighting in areas in your sphere of influence or help spread your sphere of influence. They were supposed to represent a special corps of elite soldiers that were deployed to protect their country's political interests or help propagate its political influence in various foreign countries and regions. Unfortunately I couldn’t think of a real world military unit to base it on so the idea was ultimately scrapped.

Emblematic District: 

                My issue with u/lionelcheahkaien’s choice of Emblematic District, was that I didn’t like that something based on a foreign oil company was being used to represent  something emblematic of Iran even if it was an oil company that was eventually nationalized and under the control of the Iranian government. I felt that Azadi Square was more appropriate; it was built to commemorate 2500 years of Persian history after all and was specifically designed to showcase the unique Persian architectural style. 

               I took some cues from Amplitude’s own designs for Emblematic Districts, and similar to the Brazilians’ “Agronomy Lab” and Swedes' “Research Institute”, decided to base my emblematic district on a vague concept but have its in-game appearance based on something more specific and unique. The “Public Square” is well, based on the concept of public squares; however its physical appearance is supposed to be modeled after Azadi Square. Because public squares are the center of communities, both socially and physically, I decided that this translated to providing extra stability with the district providing more stability if it is placed in a central location next to other districts. The reason that it generates influence is because some public squares are so famous and influential that they may attract tourists or have a political or cultural significance. Because public squares in real life tend to also be surrounded by shops, markets, government buildings and even houses of worships, I also opted to give them the ability to boost the yields of surrounding districts. I considered limiting that yield boost to only certain districts like merchant’s quarters, holy sites, and commons quarters but I thought that might complicate things a little too much.

Well I think the reason they call the Classical Era Persians "Achaemenid Persians" and the Industrial Era Persians simply "Persians" is that Amplitude might want to have  each of the cultures to have unique names, so it's just something to differentiate them. A Contemporary Era "Iranians" culture wouldn't really have this problem since the game currently doesn't have another culture with the same name. Secondly, it seems that the reason that the Industrial Era Persian culture is called just Persians is that it's not based on a specific dynasty but is a combination of Afsharid and Qajar Dynasties. As you yourself have said:

Narcisse wrote:

About industrial Persians, the City Center cover a span of dynasties (from Safavids, to Afsharids, Zand and Qajar), because based on Ali Qapu palace, which was renovated multiple times, and changed a lot, the design in the game is more based on the late renovation, because we don't really know how was the initial Safavid palace.

The Emblematic Quarter pre-existed o the period covered by the era, a bit like the Siamese Floating Markets, but still a representative element of the whole iranian History and culture.

The unit is mainly a reference to Nader Shah, the iranian Napoleon.

The artwork, descriptions, affinity, Legacy Trait, and the design of the generic unis (hat and uniforms) are based on Qajar dynasty

Similarly, my suggestion isn't solely based on Iran during the Pahlavi Dynasty, and has taken some inspiration from the Islamic Republic as well, particularly in the justification for the Aesthete affinity. If you look at current events you can see the otivations behind many of their actions, are political or about increasing their influence in the region. Under the Shah this really didn't happen as much, and the country was more focused on development and modernization. 

FullScreenLurker wrote:
Well I think the reason they call the Classical Era Persians "Achaemenid Persians" and the Industrial Era Persians simply "Persians" is that Amplitude might want to have  each of the cultures to have the  unique names, so it's just something to differentiate them.

yes indeed. But at the reveal of Persians culture, some community members asked why they didn't name industrial Persians, Iranians; so as French and Germans you trenscend as Iranians into contemporary era.

My reasoning is probably just than it was made for accuracy reasons ? Iranians is a really old endonym (since Sasanids) when Persians always has been the exonym.

Which is fine, it's an highly recognizable exonym. -> My meaning is than they didn't stop to be Persians to become Iranians at some point of the modern era. So keeping coherent the naming of the "same historical poeple" is a legit choice. Achaemenids Persians -> Safavid Persians (for exemple) ->  Persian

So, yes, having industrial Persians and contemporary Iranians, is a bit odd in term of naming comvention imo because, Industrial Persians were already Iranians since a while as endonym.

FullScreenLurker wrote:
Secondly, it seems that the reason that the Industrial Era Persian culture is called just Persians is that it's not based on a specific dynasty but is a combination of Afsharid and Qajar Dynasties. As you yourself have said:

Sure. But I personally could accept it to be called about only one dynasty even if there are some others in the design. At least if it's needed to add other iterations of Persia / Iran.

Of course they didn't stop being called Iranians, in fact they were always called that. The only reason that most people call them Persians is because of the ancient Greek influence on Western culture and world view, they use the same incorrect name that the Greeks did.  I don't think the name change was the biggest issue.  I had an opinion, in my version I changed it, and I think I have adequately explained my rationale. Now what about the other parts of the suggestion? Are they ok, do they need any changes?

Glad you like it. The unique unit wasn't mine, so you are going to have take it up with the original author. I did however have an idea for an EU that either gains combat strength from fighting in areas in your sphere of influence or spreads it, but I just didn't know what real-world military unit to base it on. Come to think that would be a pretty good Legacy Trait as well. You could have a culture that's designed around spreading your sphere influence all over the place and then that helps out your military conquest by giving your troops a surprise advantage.  

Also the numbers need to be worked out too I suppose. I intentionally left them vague because I have a poor faculty for numbers in this game. I don't think it's that big an issue, because that's more something for Amplitude or modders to worry about, but  still I think it might help. I think I laid a good foundation of what I'd like to see, and what the idea behind the culture, and I guess the details will just sort themselves out.

I haven't really thought it out that much but I think that this would make a very good Emblematic for a prospective Abbasids culture if any one was thinking of making one.

Stephanos wrote:

Name: [People of the Wessex or similar Culture (kind of Pre-Celts)] {could name them Battanians but I don't know about what Mount and Blade devs would think of this ;) }

Iceni maybe or is that too late?

I don't know about the Ancient Era, but the Classical era definitely starts at most 2500 years ago because the Achaemenids are there.

My thought why the 2nd era is like Iron age until end of roman era is that you start with discovering iron in the tech tree, what kind wouldn't make sence for me if the 1st era already includes the iron age. But of cause you can't make that clear of a cut there, since the eras started in different times in different places (at least most historians and archaeologists think so). But the devs probably know best about the exact chronological definition of the eras.

About the Sumerians and Natufians I'd say, I won't have the problem if they are put in the game, but there are already so many ancient cultures of the Middle/Near East I'd rather see some from elsewhere. (Although of course, these Middle East Cultures are the ones of that era we know most about)