Civilization 7 Dev Firaxis Says 'There's Hope for Gandhi, Yet'

Civilization VII has arrived, and a familiar face is missing: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the series since 1991, his absence has sparked considerable discussion among veteran players. His legendary (and mythical) "Nuclear Gandhi" bug notwithstanding, his omission is notable.

However, Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach offers reassurance. In a recent interview, he confirmed that Gandhi's absence is not a permanent one, hinting strongly at his inclusion in future DLC. Beach emphasized that Firaxis has a long-term roadmap for adding civilizations, explaining that some choices fit better into later releases. He points to the initial exclusion of Mongolia and Persia from previous Civilization titles as precedent. The need to include fresh, exciting civilizations alongside established favorites necessitates some difficult choices, he explained. The message is clear: hope remains for Gandhi's return.

Image credit: Firaxis.

While Gandhi's future is bright, Civilization VII itself is facing some immediate challenges. The game's launch has been met with a mixed reception on Steam, with criticisms focusing on the user interface, limited map variety, and a perceived lack of expected features. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence that the game's performance will improve as players become more familiar with it.

Meanwhile, for those eager to conquer the world in Civilization VII, resources are available to assist. Guides detailing how to achieve every victory type, highlighting key differences for Civilization VI players, and outlining crucial mistakes to avoid are readily available. Further resources explaining map types and difficulty settings are also at hand.