Firaxis Games has made a formal declaration regarding the development of Civilization 7, the upcoming iteration of its well-known 4X turn-based strategy franchise.
Since the release of the first Civilization game in 1991, the series has gained immense popularity. Even after over three decades, Firaxis Games has continued to uphold the core principles established by Sid Meier.
While Civilization 7 is expected to introduce new features beyond Civilization 6, the franchise’s loyal fans remain committed to it because they know what to anticipate from the upcoming game.
Firaxis Games is also the developer of the popular games XCOM and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Heather Hazen, the new studio head at Firaxis Games, expressed her excitement for the opportunity to continue the studio’s renowned legacy with the upcoming Civilization 7 game.
She stated that she is fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with highly skilled developers in the gaming industry. And has big plans. The aim is to take the Civilization franchise to exciting new levels, providing an enhanced gaming experience for millions of players across the globe.
Ed Beach has been the creative director for the Civilization series for many years. Beach also worked as the design lead for Civilization 6, the previous game in the series, and has been associated with it for over 15 years. Recently, Civilization 6 received new content from the Civ 6 Leaders Pass DLC.
This announcement about Civilization 7’s development is significant, as it marks the first new mainline entry in the series in over six years. Civilization VI, the previous game in the franchise, was released in 2016.
Following the release of Civilization 6, Firaxis has continued to provide support to the game by creating expansion packs such as Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm, as well as DLC series like New Frontier Pass and Leader Pass.
The fact that new content is still being released for Civilization 6 underscores the emotional support the franchise has from its fans. This loyal following eagerly anticipates new updates and add-ons that will augment and enrich the gameplay experience. Their continued dedication to the series is a testament to its enduring popularity.
As such, fans can look forward to further updates as Firaxis Games continues to develop the upcoming Civilization 7, which is likely to attract a similar level of devotion from its loyal following.
Firaxis Games will proceed with the development of Civilization 7 without one of its notable figures, as Jake Solomon, the previous creative director for XCOM and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, has confirmed his departure from the company.
In a tweet, Jake Solomon announced that he would leave Firaxis Games after 23 years at the company. He expressed gratitude for fulfilling his lifelong dreams of designing tactical turn-based games, particularly the XCOM franchise (including XCOM 2 and War of the Chosen) and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, and considered himself very fortunate.
All gratitude. pic.twitter.com/pqe56mVvd5
— Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) February 17, 2023
However, Solomon revealed that he was ready to move away from creating games in this genre, as he believed that others with more expertise could push it further. He expressed a burning desire to pursue a new dream and was enthusiastic about focusing on it.
The creative team at Firaxis Games has undergone some changes as all three key figures have departed. Jake Solomon, the designer and director has left the company alongside producer Garth DeAngelis and art director Greg Foertsch.
In response to the potential negative impact of such news on the studio’s leadership, Firaxis started a new chapter with a significant revelation. This announcement can be seen as a reset button being pushed at the studio, signifying a fresh start under the direction of a new leadership team.
Even after the confirmation of the production of game, still there is yet to be a clear indication of how advanced the development process is or when the game will ultimately be released.
Additionally, it is still being determined how the game will portray pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi, a character from the previous Civilization games known for his aggressive tendencies in certain circumstances.
Because there are still no specific details about the game’s mechanics or release date, it is likely that the release is still several years away. However, this game will be Firaxis Games’ primary focus shortly, indicating the company’s commitment to the franchise and its loyal fanbase. As such, fans can look forward to more updates and information on the game’s development as Firaxis continues to work on it.