Firaxis is preparing to release a substantial update for Civilization 7 that aims to address mounting criticism of the game's controversial Ages system while introducing several highly requested features. The upcoming patch represents the developer's most significant response yet to player feedback since the strategy game's rocky launch earlier this year.
Major Map Expansion and Performance Considerations
Update 1.2.2 will introduce Large and Huge map sizes, a feature that has been consistently requested by the Civilization community. However, Firaxis has cautioned players that these expanded maps come with increased hardware demands, potentially resulting in slower turn processing times and reduced performance on less powerful systems. This addition should provide players with the epic-scale campaigns that have been a hallmark of previous Civilization titles.
Steam Workshop Integration Enhances Modding Capabilities
The update will bring full Steam Workshop support to Civilization 7, marking a significant step forward for the game's modding community. Firaxis plans to provide comprehensive documentation, best practices guidelines, and several example modifications created by the development team to help modders get started. This integration should streamline the process of creating, sharing, and installing user-generated content.
Addressing the Ages System Controversy
Perhaps most significantly, the update will introduce an option to bypass civilization unlocks during age transitions. This change allows players to select any civilization from the next age regardless of their previous gameplay decisions, addressing one of the most criticized aspects of the Ages system. The Ages mechanic, which divides campaigns into separate eras with soft progress resets, has been widely criticized for making games feel disjointed and breaking the sense of empire continuity that defines the Civilization experience.
Advanced Customization Options
The patch will expand player control over game parameters through new Advanced Game Options. These include customizable AI difficulty settings, the ability to select specific crisis types, and toggleable Legacy Paths. Players will also gain more control over Independent Powers' hostility levels, providing greater flexibility in tailoring the gameplay experience to individual preferences.
Content Additions and Quality Improvements
Beyond addressing systemic issues, Update 1.2.2 will add substantial new content including 24 new City-State bonuses, 2 additional Pantheons, and 14 new Religious Beliefs spanning Founder, Reliquary, and Enhancer categories. Town specializations will see the introduction of a new Resort Town type and a reworked Urban Center, along with refinements to existing town types.
Long-term Development Roadmap
Firaxis has acknowledged that the current update represents just the beginning of their response to player concerns. The developer has committed to addressing more complex issues over multiple updates, with smaller changes focused on Age transitions planned for July 2025. More substantial modifications to improve empire identity and campaign continuity are promised for future releases, though specific timelines remain unannounced.
Market Performance Challenges
The need for these extensive updates reflects Civilization 7's struggle to meet expectations since launch. The game maintains a mixed user rating on Steam and has failed to match the concurrent player counts of its predecessors, including the much older Civilization 5. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has expressed confidence in the game's long-term prospects, but the company's patience with the title's performance remains to be tested.
Update 1.2.2 is tentatively scheduled for release on June 17, 2025, though Firaxis notes this date remains subject to change pending final testing and quality assurance procedures.
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| Comparison of concurrent player counts across Civilization V, VI, and VII highlighting the challenges faced by Civilization 7 since its launch |