Gandhi's Fate in Civilization 7: Firaxis Teases Optimism

Civilization VII has arrived, but a familiar face is missing: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the series since 1991, his absence has sparked considerable discussion among fans.

Gandhi's omission isn't due to oversight, according to Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach. In a recent interview, Beach offered reassurance, stating that Gandhi's inclusion is planned for future DLC. He emphasized that Firaxis has a broader roadmap for adding civilizations, explaining that some, like Gandhi, are better suited for later releases.

Beach highlighted the strategic decisions behind Civilization VII's initial civilization roster. He noted that even iconic civilizations like Mongolia and Persia were absent from previous base games, emphasizing the need to balance established favorites with fresh additions to keep the experience engaging. While some key civilizations are initially omitted, Firaxis intends to incorporate them later.

The absence of Gandhi isn't the only point of discussion surrounding Civilization VII. The game's launch has received mixed reviews on Steam, with criticism focusing on the user interface, limited map variety, and missing features. However, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, predicting that the core Civilization fanbase will eventually embrace the new iteration. He described the game's initial performance as "very encouraging."

For players eager to conquer the world in Civilization VII, numerous guides are available covering victory conditions, significant changes from Civilization VI, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.