Summary
Civilization 6marked an important milestone for the series, butCivilization 7is not in a position to replicate that momentous occasion. Of course,Civilizationfans will have reason to rejoice onceCivilization 7comes out, no matter when it happens. Even so, it would be best for the developers not to overthink the occasion and let development continue naturally. Trying to forceCivilization 7’s release into a specific special occasion could lead to far more problems than the game would face otherwise. Instead, there are far better ways to handle the game’s eventual release date.
There’s fair reason to believe thatCivilization 7could be better than ever, because the series never seems to stop growing.Civilization 6reworked huge swaths of the game, with the new district system revolutionizing the way that strategy worked, forcing players to think further ahead when planning their cities. Likewise, the game also featured an expanded roster of leaders and civilizations, opening more routes for players to devise new strategies. It seems likely thatCivilization 7will shake up the game once more in its own way. With any hope,Civilization 7will be bigger and better than any of its predecessors, with or without DLC.
Civilization 7’s Release Should Come Naturally, Not Stretched Out For an Event
Civilization 6 Celebrated Civilization’s 25th Anniversary
Civilization 6is more than one of thebest games developed by Firaxis; it actually marked a significant event for the series.Civilization 6’s release date came shortly after the 25th anniversary of the release of the originalCivilization. This turned out to be one of the best ways to celebrate the quarter-century of the franchise’s existence.Civilization 6’s ambitious aim may have taken some time to get used to for players that were familiar withCivilization 5’s approach, but it showed how much the series had grown. With that in mind, its release date turned out to be a brilliant decision.
Civilization’s Next Big Anniversary Isn’t For Two More Years
DespiteCivilization 6’s meaningful release date,Civilization 7shouldn’t try to repeat that magic.Civilization 7needs a reveal soondue to how long fans have been waiting for it, and there’s no similar milestone in sight. The 30th anniversary ofCivilizationpassed in 2021, so there’s no chance of celebrating that occasion with a new game. The 35th anniversary will be in 2026, but by that point it will have been ten years sinceCivilization 6’s release. Even takingCivilization 6’s impressive amount of DLC into account, that is a remarkably long wait between sequels, and could hurtCivilization 7as a result.
Civilization 7 Doesn’t Need a Milestone For Its Release Date
Civilization 7can’t simply keep fans waiting for years and years for a release date. Right now,Civilization 7risks imitatingElder Scrolls 6’s issuesby having far too long a wait for the latest installment. True,Civilization 6is a game that fans can keep playing for years thanks to every playthrough being different, but ten years is still a long wait for a sequel. It would be better if anniversary plans were not taken into account for the game’s release date. The fans' long wait forCivilization 7should not be extended solely for the sake of a milestone.
After only DLC releases sinceCivilization 6, it’s about time for the next game in the series to finally make its debut. Even announcing anearly access period forCivilization 7would be enough to stir hype for the game once more. Waiting for the 35th anniversary to come around to releaseCivilization 7is too much of a risk, since it will lead to such a long gap between games. While the developers do need to fully testCivilization 7before release, they shouldn’t hold off said release longer than necessary.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Civilization VIoffers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map, active research in technology and culture unlocks new potential, and competing leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race for one of five ways to achieve victory in the game.Expansive empiresSee the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each district, wonder, and improvement is built on its own hex, allowing you to customize your city to your heart’s content. From the Commercial Hub to the Spaceport, every district provides unique and powerful bonuses. Pick and choose which districts to build to fit your needs! Build better than your opponents, place yourself strategically for your allies, and become the best civilization on Earth.Active ResearchBoost your civilization’s progress through history to unlock powerful bonuses before anyone else! To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures. Research isn’t just limited to science. Explore the Civics tree to unlock powerful new governments and cultural policies Cultivate the civilization that fits your playstyle, or switch it up every time you play!Dynamic diplomacyAs the game progresses, so do your diplomatic relationships. From primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations. Carry influence with nearby city states to gain its diplomatic allegiance and earn game-changing city-state bonuses. Enlist spies to gather crucial intel on rival civilizations, steal precious resources, and even topple governments.
