At Gamescom this week, PC Games Insider had the opportunity to attend the presentation for Civilization VII, followed by an insightful conversation with Edward Beach, the creative director and lead designer at Firaxis Games. The challenge of introducing a new installment in a beloved franchise often lies in the delicate balance between honoring features cherished by long-time fans and integrating fresh innovations that keep the gameplay engaging.
Reimagining Historical Progression
During our discussion, Beach elaborated on the team’s decision to reorganize the game into three distinct chapters: the Age of Antiquity, the Age of Exploration, and the Modern Age. This structural change aims to streamline late-game content, a common pain point for players in previous iterations.
The transitions between these Ages allow players to select various strategic paths and cultural identities to carry forward, enhancing the gameplay experience. The introduction of more flexible leader-civilization pairings, improved military mechanics with commander units, and a renewed emphasis on exploration and settlement promise to make the game more enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Since the launch of the original Civilization game in 1991, the series has become synonymous with the 4X genre. Following Take-Two’s acquisition of the franchise from Infogrames in 2004 and Firaxis in 2005, the anticipation for Civilization VII has been palpable, especially since the last full release, Civilization VI, debuted in 2016. With a release date set for February 2025, the design principles behind this new installment are particularly intriguing.
“We fundamentally restructured the game!” Beach stated emphatically. He explained that traditional 4X games often start small, gradually expanding as players build their empires. However, this expansion can lead to lengthy gameplay sessions where managing numerous units becomes cumbersome. “Playing through a turn can become a 10-minute activity,” he noted.
Beach and his team observed that while players enjoyed the early stages of exploration and empire-building, many would abandon their games before reaching the end, opting instead to restart for that initial thrill. “There’s a point where lots of our players drop out and say, ‘I’d have more fun starting a new session than trying to finish it!’” he admitted. “It’s terrific that they play it over and over again like that. But there’s a lot of content and cool history showcased at the end of our game that players are not engaging with.”
To address this, the team focused on restructuring the gameplay to create moments that re-energize and simplify the experience. “We really think about the game structure and how many clicks it takes to do anything, and also how many units you are managing,” Beach explained. Collaborating with historians, they identified natural breaks in history, allowing for a more streamlined gameplay experience as players transition through the Ages.
Embracing Historical Pathways
As players progress through the Ages, they will have the opportunity to maintain their cultural identities while exploring new strategic avenues. For instance, starting as Egypt may allow players to build iconic structures like pyramids, but they could also evolve into a new Middle Eastern or African power, adapting their strategies along the way. “The Egyptian identity you established early in the game carries forward with you,” Beach explained.
However, the game also encourages players to pursue unexpected paths. A player might begin as Egypt but focus on military technology, ultimately evolving into a society reminiscent of Mongolia. “We don’t want you to think ‘I’m playing as Egypt. All I’m going to be able to do is be really good around rivers!’” Beach emphasized. “You’ll have three or four big decisions as to where you want to move. It’s cool to let players pick what their next strategic pivot is going to be.”
The evolution of leaders within the game is another significant change. The connection between leaders and civilizations is now more flexible, allowing for a mix-and-match approach. This shift reflects the increasing diversity of civilizations in the game and aligns with the new Age system, which encourages players to explore various cultural legacies as they progress.
Exploration and Engagement
As players navigate through the game, the mechanics surrounding settlers will also change, addressing the issue of exploration becoming stagnant after the initial turns. Beach shared that each new chapter should present fresh opportunities tied to exploration. “In the Antiquity age, you can’t get to the other side of the world,” he explained. “At the beginning of the next phase, the key activity is to find what the other side of the world looks like.”
During the Age of Exploration, players will gain access to new lands, allowing for the establishment of coastal settlements and further strategic choices. Beach noted that these transitions are designed to keep the gameplay dynamic, with civilizations racing to uncover new resources and opportunities.
Welcoming New Players
As the team considers the balance between attracting new players and retaining long-time fans, Beach expressed a commitment to enhancing the overall experience. “We can’t forget about our core audience,” he remarked. “But we feel like there are lots of improvements, and it should be more welcoming to new players.”
To facilitate this, Firaxis has invested significantly in tutorials, ensuring that players can easily grasp the mechanics of the game. Additionally, the introduction of four different advisors allows players to tailor their gameplay experience according to their preferences, whether they wish to focus on culture, military, or other strategies.
Beach acknowledged the evolving expectations of gamers over the years, noting that today’s players require more streamlined experiences and better tutorials. “We have to think that asking somebody to play 15 to 20 hours before they get to the endgame for the first time is not the way games are set up now,” he stated. “Our new Ages system is a direct pivot to address some of those changes.”
With the introduction of new Commander units and automatic reinforcement commands, the military gameplay is also set to evolve. Beach explained that these innovations aim to reduce the tedium of moving units across the map, enhancing the tactical gameplay experience.
Civilization VII represents a significant evolution for the iconic 4X franchise. With its fresh approach to gameplay structure, flexible leader-civilization pairings, and accelerated military mechanics, Firaxis is poised to reinvigorate the series for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. As the gaming community eagerly anticipates its release, the industry watches closely to see how these ambitious changes will resonate with players and shape the future of strategy games.
