The much-anticipated Civilization 7 has hit the market, and fans are buzzing with excitement—but one notable absence has caught their attention: where is Gandhi? The iconic Indian leader, a staple in every base game of the Civilization series since its inception in 1991, is missing from the initial lineup. Gandhi's absence is particularly notable given his association with one of gaming's most legendary myths, the 'Nuclear Gandhi' bug, which, despite being debunked, remains a cherished part of the series' lore.
In a recent interview, Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach addressed the absence of Gandhi, offering reassurance to his fans. "So I would say we haven't forgotten about anybody who's been in our game before," Beach stated, hinting at a broader roadmap for the game that includes future downloadable content (DLC). He emphasized that while some civilizations might be missing from the base game, Firaxis has plans for them in the long run.
Beach elaborated on the decision-making process behind selecting civilizations for Civilization 7. "One thing I always think about is, we've had the same situation where iconic civilizations haven't been in our base game before," he explained. He cited examples like Mongolia and Persia, which were absent from the base games of Civilization 5 and Civilization 6 but were significant historical powers. The goal, according to Beach, is to balance the inclusion of popular choices with fresh, exciting additions to the game.
While fans await Gandhi's return, they can look forward to upcoming content. Carthage and Great Britain are set to join Civilization 7 in March 2025 as part of The Crossroads of the World Collection DLC, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal. This roadmap suggests that Gandhi, too, might soon make his way back into the game.
In the meantime, Civilization 7 has faced some criticism, reflected in its 'mixed' user review rating on Steam. Community feedback has highlighted issues with the user interface, a lack of map variety, and the absence of features fans have come to expect. In response, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative reviews but expressed optimism about the game's future, citing encouraging early performance and confidence that the "legacy Civ audience" will embrace the game as they play more.
For players diving into Civilization 7, a wealth of resources is available to enhance their experience. Guides on achieving every victory type, understanding the significant changes from Civilization 6, and avoiding common pitfalls can be invaluable. Additionally, explanations of the various map types and difficulty settings will help players tailor their gaming experience to their preferences.
