Civilization 7 Will Win Over 'Legacy' Fans Despite 'Mixed' Steam Reviews, Says Take-Two CEO

Civilization 7 has entered the gaming arena, and while it has garnered a 'mixed' rating from users on Steam, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains optimistic. He believes that the dedicated fans of the Civilization series will grow to appreciate the latest installment as they spend more time with it.

Currently, Civilization 7 is accessible through advanced access, primarily attracting the series' hardcore fans. These enthusiasts have been vocal about their concerns, particularly regarding the user interface, the limited variety of maps, and the absence of several anticipated features at launch.

In response, Firaxis, the game's developer, has committed to addressing these issues. They have promised enhancements to the user interface, the introduction of team-based multiplayer modes for cooperative play, and an expansion of map types, among other improvements.

In a conversation with IGN before the third quarter financial results were released, Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback from both the press and players, specifically mentioning Eurogamer's critical 2/5 review. However, he pointed out that Civilization 7 has achieved a solid Metacritic score of 81, with over 20 reviews scoring above 90. Despite some negative outliers, including a 40 from Eurogamer, Zelnick remains confident.

Zelnick explained that with each new Civilization release, the team at Firaxis pushes boundaries, which can initially make the "legacy Civ audience" apprehensive. He believes that as players spend more time with the game, they will recognize its value and fully engage with it. He admits that the early access version isn't perfect, particularly citing issues with the UI, but he views the launch as "very encouraging" and assures that Firaxis is actively working on the areas of concern.

Zelnick believes Civ fans will come to love Civ 7. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Zelnick's comments about the initial nervousness of hardcore Civ players likely refer to the significant changes introduced in Civilization 7. The game features a unique gameplay mechanic where players progress through three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. At the end of each Age, all players, including AI opponents, undergo an Age Transition. During this transition, players select a new civilization from the upcoming Age, choose which Legacies to carry forward, and witness the evolution of the game world. This system is unprecedented in the Civilization series, and Zelnick is confident that fans will grow to appreciate it.

In the immediate future, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving sentiment on Steam. A game's user review rating on Steam is vital for its success on the platform, as it not only reflects the community's opinion but also impacts the game's visibility and discoverability.