As a dedicated fan and historian, I've been captivated by the Age of Empires series. Its influence among gamers to demand history campaigns, to enjoy endless combat makes the video game undeniable one of the all time greats. The historic accuracy it provides has always sparked higher interest levels among its fanbase. However, there is an important piece in its latest edition - AOE4, the demand for new civs.

I started this petition not out of pity, instead the medieval ages were predominantly captured by the civilizations that saw the most combat. With this being said, it will remain empty in choices of civs unless more color was added. I created this petition to honour the legacy of some of the greatest empires. True, the original game release saw the most popular empires i.e. France, England, Holy Roman Empire, Mongols were added as well among few others such as Rus... with the recent inclusion of one of the most sought off civs - the Byzantines. Its campaign (DLC) did not include its rich history in the north west of its reign. I mention this because among great historians - it is worth noting that the most copious battles were fought in the Balkans when it came to the Byzantines. Ten fold to that of the rivalry between France and England... as recording between in the late 600s-1300s era. 

A lot of action was seen and due to that impact on history, I've decided to dedicate this petition, to honour these missing civilizations that did indeed see action but were not featured.

Campaign of Bulgaria - DLC Campaign to include, 1st Bulgarian Empire starting 

Episode 1, Krum of Pannonia destroys Avars with Emperor Charlemagne as allies in modern day Hungary. Both empires loot sizable gold loot - mainly Frankish Empire to build its reputation down in history.

Episode 2 Krum invades Eastern Roman Empire and takes territory ending in the siege of Constantinople which never happened, a standstill... but does not capture it remains in Rumelia after successful conquest of Nessebar where he used catapults to overthrow the Byzantines. Church still remains to this day UNESCO heritage. Walls are very battered by this attack in Nessebar. 

Episode 3 - Tzar Simeon most triumphant First Bulgarian empire reign, leaders after him did not prove strong enough to hold the same overall glory against the Byzantines - noteworthy for building many churches, bolstering literacy to send monks various places to unify slavic kingdoms with faith, and kreposts to fend off enemy neighboring empires such as Croats, Serbs, Romans and Hungarians... reign takes lands of Roman empire and expands Bulgarian empire naming him Roman Slayer. His nephew, Svietoslav becomes leader of Kiev. Raiding many Rus villages with the support of his mother's blessings. 

Episode 4 - Reinforcements join late as country is in turmoil and instability weak to hold off Kiev-Rus sackings, Empire suffers devastating blow from Kiev-Rus leader Svietoslav, commissioned under Byzantine Empire to raids Bulgarian lands in modern day Romania and Bulgaria -- Pechenegs defeat Kiev-Rus leader and his militia as allies of Bulgaria hearing of this attack still giving victory to Bulgaria despite heavy Bulgarian losses. 

Episode 5 - Samuil his son Gavril ambushes most favorite and loyal commander to Basil II (naming Basil II the Bulgar slayer after he sacks a small wooden fortress in south west of Balkans in revenge of the death of his commander). Fifteen thousand Bulgarian soldiers blinded with 1 in every 100 with 1 eye to guide them back to their leader - Samuil who suffers a heart attack after this debauchery ending First Bulgarian Empire. 

 Last episode, EP 6 is reign of Ivan Asen II returns empire back to its glory and rightful lineage his father built, father of 2nd Bulgarian empire against Boril. Boril sparks civil war with Ivan Asen II. Ivan was respected by nobility and Cumans which took the pontic steppes. 

A memorial inscription on one of the columns of the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs recorded Ivan Asen's conquests.[38][19] It referred to him as the "tsar of the Bulgarians, Greeks and other countries

Other civs that can be added - 

2. Scotland

3. Spain

4. Kiev

5. Varangians


#1, 4, and 5 have history together and can comprise extended DLC content for the Byzantines. The history of Bulgarians has won popularity among Eastern Roman Empire/Byzantine historians. From Bulgaria's official origin in the Balkans in 681 AD to both empire's fall, numerous battles were fought between these two empires. Despite all odds, Eastern Roman history is seen with higher popularity due to its origin, while its most fierce and rival enemy - Bulgaria - remains almost completely unheard of. 

The Varangians comprised mainly of Swedes, as well as Normans. They were recruited by not only the Kiev-Rus alliance with the Byzantines. This played pivital role in history because the Byzantines needed extra support against the Bulgarians and protection in Constantinople which may not have ended in best terms with them - as potential rivalry took place for order and leadership while guarding Byzantine capital. Varangians were used to dismantle Bulgarian resistance in the Balkans.  

On behalf of the AOE community, we believe that including Bulgarian, Varangians, Kiev, Scotland and Spain history will offer users more diversity which the game lacks in its current state. Fans want also more maps and unique different special units will be used. I'd like to replicate the AOE 2 - Bulgarians addition which included Kreposts and not Castles, as well as Bulgaria's strongest unit the Konnik with its infamous single handed flail. A unique wall aesthetics should mimic to that of Middle Ages which were used to surround kreposts. Seemingly kreposts consisted of a Church giving civ a certain bonus. 

We've seen duplicate of France, China, Holy Roman Empire but were not satisfied enough... with this new inclusion we will not only enrich our gaming experience but also boost knowledge about a Christian Empire such as Bulgaria suffered to remain a state despite its triumphs having won more victories against the Byzantines in the battlefield yet positioned at a very difficult area in Europe and played a pivotal role in Orthodoxy faith winning support in Rus and other parts as far as modern day Czech Republic but was not accepted in the coming years.... however, military conquest, religion and significant footprint in the Middle Ages shook Europe's past.

We urge you to join us in this petition and open the floor for a new change in the game by signing this petition. Let us bring forth a historically rich DLC in Age of Empires 4!

In display of excitement for the konnik unit once used in AOE2 by the Bulgarians, I've dedicated a special music composition to the single handed flail to return to AOE4!

[Please under any means do NOT Donate to this cause, no moneis are required nor shall be asked of you, this is not the purpose of this petition. It will not help at all.]