Civilization 7's rocky start hasn't deterred Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick. Despite a "mixed" Steam user review rating, Zelnick remains confident that dedicated Civilization fans will ultimately embrace the game.
The 4X strategy title's early access release, primarily accessed by hardcore fans, has seen criticism regarding the user interface (UI), limited map variety, and missing features. Firaxis has acknowledged this feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of multiplayer teams for cooperative play, and more diverse map types.
In an interview with IGN, Zelnick acknowledged negative reviews, including Eurogamer's harsh 2/5 score, but pointed to a positive Metacritic score of 81 and numerous reviews exceeding 90. He attributes the negative feedback to the significant changes implemented in Civ 7, suggesting that the "legacy Civ audience" will grow to appreciate these innovations with continued playtime.
Zelnick specifically highlighted the game's revolutionary three-age campaign structure (Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern) with simultaneous Age Transitions. These transitions involve selecting a new civilization, retaining legacies, and evolving the game world—a departure from previous Civilization titles.
While Zelnick expresses confidence in the game's long-term appeal, Firaxis faces the immediate challenge of improving player sentiment, particularly on Steam. The Steam user review rating significantly impacts the game's visibility and overall success on the platform.
