One month ago, Civilization VII launched to a wave of generally positive critical acclaim. However, user reviews on platforms such as Steam and Metacritic painted a different picture, particularly in the early days following its release. A glance at the Civilization subreddit reveals a mixed consensus: while the foundational elements of the game are promising, and many of the significant changes—such as dividing the game into distinct ages—are seen as refreshing, there remains disappointment over missing features, the need for further polish, and a user interface that many described as chaotic at launch.
In response to the feedback, Firaxis, the developer behind the game, has rolled out several patches and has more planned for the future. As the game continues to evolve, I took the opportunity to engage with the Civ community and converse with Dennis Shirk, the game's executive producer, to discuss the initial launch experience, the ongoing changes, and future developments.
In several ways, Civilization VII diverges from its predecessors. Notably, the game introduces distinct ages that function almost like separate games, allows for anachronistic leader and civilization combinations, and eliminates worker units. Contrary to initial expectations, these changes have not been the main points of contention among players. In my review, I noted that these innovations push the franchise into new territory, incorporate the best aspects from competing titles, and address long-standing concerns within the Civilization experience.
Shirk shared, “Our guiding principle at Firaxis is the rule of thirds: keeping one-third of the game familiar, one-third improved, and one-third innovative. While we may have leaned more heavily into the innovative aspects this time, it was a risk we were willing to take to offer a fresh experience.”
The Civilization subreddit has seen a surge of positive feedback regarding the recent changes, with many players, including members of the Ars editorial staff, expressing agreement on the benefits of these updates. Over the past month, players have provided constructive criticism, leading to several patches from Firaxis. Notably, patch 1.1.0 released on March 4 addressed visual issues within the technology tree and made significant adjustments to victory conditions in the Modern Age.
Some players have also noticed improvements not explicitly mentioned in the patch notes. For instance, a Reddit user, AndyNemmity, highlighted that the military AI has shown considerable enhancement, stating, “After running multiple autoplays with the new patch, the military AI is vastly improved. Previously, the AI often found itself stuck on the map with no strategic movement; that's no longer the case.”
While there is general goodwill regarding the core aspects of the game, concerns about the user interface remain prevalent. Shirk acknowledged this, stating, “Launching a game, especially with significant changes, involves understanding what resonates with players and identifying areas for improvement. Unfortunately, the UI did not meet player expectations, but we are committed to addressing it, although it will require time.”
The Civilization community has taken it upon themselves to address some UI shortcomings. A modder, Sukritact, released a comprehensive UI overhaul that tackled several complaints, including enhancements for city view interactions. Players lauded these changes, dubbing them “game-changers.” Shortly thereafter, Firaxis announced that Sukritact had joined the team as a technical artist.
Concerns about a rushed launch continue to circulate within the community, primarily surrounding the UI issues. Shirk admitted, “In hindsight, our UI team needed more time to develop an interface that met players' information expectations. Our team is working diligently through rapid patches, and players can expect ongoing support for the foreseeable future.”
Unlike previous mainline titles, Civilization VII was launched on an expansive range of platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. This broad launch strategy has led to speculation in the community that Firaxis may have been stretched too thin, contributing to the initial UI problems. Players have noted that the classic PC experience might have suffered to accommodate console and handheld players.
Nonetheless, Firaxis has clarified that PC remains their top priority. Shirk stated, “Our core audience is definitely PC, and we always start there, adapting UI systems as we expand to other platforms.” He also pointed out that controller support was developed in collaboration with a partner, indicating that the team’s focus on the desktop interface was not as strained as some feared.
As for the gameplay itself, players have voiced concerns about AI behavior, particularly regarding city founding near player capitals, and the need for better mechanics surrounding religion and espionage. Shirk noted that they are aware of these issues and are working on solutions, including extending game ages and enhancing the Civilopedia to provide more detailed explanations and data.
Despite the challenges, the community's tone has shifted positively since the launch due to Firaxis's responsive communication and patch strategy. The initial confusion surrounding the game's “Advanced Access” period has also been addressed, with the developer clarifying that the intent was not to offer an incomplete product. They emphasized their commitment to delivering an outstanding experience in the 4X strategy genre.
With ongoing updates promised, including UI improvements in upcoming patches, the community remains optimistic about the future of Civilization VII. The dialogue between players and developers has shown promise, and Firaxis appears committed to refining the game based on user feedback. While the game may not yet be flawless, many agree that it has the potential to evolve into a truly exceptional title in the Civilization series.
