GamesStrategyCivilization VIICivilization 7 director explains that each sequel is a massive overhaul because iteration and graphics improvements are “not worthy of another chapter"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesStrategyCivilization VIICivilization 7 director explains that each sequel is a massive overhaul because iteration and graphics improvements are “not worthy of another chapter"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Firaxis)

Civilization 7’s creative director says that each new entry in the strategy game series has to innovate meaningfully in order to be “worthy of another chapter” in the franchise.
Speaking during the PC Gaming Show Most Wanted, whereCivilization 7was named the most anticipated game of next year, creative director Ed Beach explained that “for us, it’s very important that a new chapter in the Civilization franchise has to be just as epic as the game is. We can’t just iterate a teeny little bit in certain areas, polish up the graphics. That’s not worthy of another chapter in the Civilization story.”
“If you look back over the whole course of the franchise,” he continues, “[what] has been a constant is that each major new version does innovate, and does take a few things that maybe were standard and were established, and goes ahead and uproots those in the service of getting to the net major milestone for the series.”
The biggest change in Civilization 7, of course, is the introduction of Ages, which will encourage you to change up your Civ twice during the course of the game, ensuring that you’re always dealing with a Civ at the height of its power during the Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern eras. Beach says that “that Civ, moment to moment, one more turn gameplay, we’ve made sure we’ve got plenty of that still baked in there,” but it does seem as though Civilization 7 will be significantly overhauling the series once it launches in February.
Civilization 7 is “one of the biggest changes” and also “one of the scariest” in the 34-year history of the strategy series.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”