The world is divided into continents. Continents are divided into cultural regions, such as America, Africa, Europe, East Asia, West Asia. In each region only specific nations can appear. For example, in America: Olmecs, Maya, Aztecs, Incas etc. Some continents may have the same type of cultural region (such as North and South America in our world).


Some countries exist from the beginning. Then, throughout history, countries appear and disappear (like Independent People in Humankind 1). The key change from Humankind 1 is that Independent People can grow into real major nations and even win the game.


The culture of different nations influences their neighbors. For example, the Ottomans can influence the Byzantines. Then, if in both of this countries more than 50% of people belong to the Ottoman or Byzantine nation, you can ask your neighbor to merge your countries into one. In single player mode, you will then play as this country. In multiplayer you will play as a team with your own cities and units. Later you can divide again.


This will make cultural changes more realistic. Since countries from the same region (such as Europe or America) will live closer to each other, strange cultural changes (like Olmecs to Aksumites or Mongols to Venetians) will become rarer.