[dragonwriter]

> It's been 27 fucking years since 1990, and the civilization franchise is still a glorified boardgame, where the only agency is had by each player.

Yes, that's​ pretty much what the game is designed to be; keeping the game what people have enjoyed it for is sensible.

> Totally unlike the real world, where ruling or governing is more about figuring out how to exercise power without getting overthrown.

And, sure, such a simulation would be interesting, but it's not what civilization has ever been, or advertised itself to be. It would certainly be good to have such a game, but why should it be in, or replace, the Civ line?