Refitting the Map

[athanaric]

I have a similar opinion, though it regards the Arabian Peninsula.

Though alot of work has been put into the Saba, I feel that their place in the history of the map is, besides trading, relatively limited. I could see maybe removing the Saba (free's up a faction slot), and then taking away the vast majority of Arabia's provinces. Leave a few on the coast for the Ptolies of course, but for the most part just make Arabia part of the vast desert no-man's-land province that already composes alot of Arabia, along with the Sahara.

I know there's a definite 'Equality for All' concept for the factions in the game, but the fact is the Mediterranean and the Turkey-Syria-Iraq-Iran-Egypt-Judea slice of the Middle East are far more important than the peripheries of the map, if nothing else because of the faction density in places like Greece and the Alps, or the broader area of Syria and Asia Minor.

I do believe, sir, that you are missing the point of this game. Let me elaborate:

1) Sab'yn are there to represent the culture of their region, which is neither Hellenistic, nor Egyptian, nor Persian. The Arabian loyalists need an appropriate faction to revolt back to.

2) From what I hear, considerable work has been put into the development of this faction, resulting in some nifty, historically accurate units that didn't make it into EB I.

3) You said "besides trading". You do realize how important trade is, do you? After all, the English (for example) carved out a huge empire for themselves by little more than trade and piracy.

4) EB strives to represent all regions and cultures equally. Or so the developers said. Seeing as there is (some) relevant information available on this faction, it can be portrayed realistically.

5) It is not as if South Arabia were a region devoid of ancient culture or of conflicts.

6) I for one am looking forward to having at least one Arabian faction in EB II. And if it were only to crush them.