Firaxis, the developer behind Civilization 7, has announced a significant update, version 1.1.1, at a time when the recently launched strategy game is facing challenges in maintaining player numbers on Steam. Despite its newness, Civilization 7 has only reached a 24-hour peak player count of 16,921, which falls short of even making it into Steam's top 100 most-played games. In comparison, Civilization 5, released back in 2010, boasts a higher 24-hour peak of 17,423 players. Meanwhile, Civilization 6, which came out in 2016, continues to attract a significantly larger audience, with a 24-hour peak of 40,676 players. It's evident that many Civilization fans are still loyal to the older titles.
In a post on Steam, Firaxis detailed some of the key "additions and refinements" that players can expect in Update 1.1.1, including:
- Quick Move Functionality
- New Natural Wonder Mount Everest
- Additional UI Updates & Polish
- Settlement & Commander Renaming
- And more!
In a detailed video, lead designer Ed Beach walked through these changes and promised that full patch notes would be released soon.
Civilization 7 Update 1.1.1 Patch Notes:
----------------------------------------The Quick Move feature has been introduced as an optional setting accessible from the game's menu. This allows units to move to their destination instantly, enhancing the game's pace.
Another significant update includes a new start position option for map generation. For single-player games, the default setting is now 'Standard,' which mirrors the more varied and less predictable continent layouts of Civilization 6. For multiplayer, the 'Balanced' setting remains in place to ensure fair and consistent maps for all players.
Players can now rename their settlements and commanders, offering a personal touch to their gameplay. Additionally, a new feature allows players to restart the game with a single click, generating a new map while retaining their chosen leader and civilization.
User interface improvements include a persistent city and town panel when purchasing items, a new notification for cities under attack, enhanced indicators for crises, and improved resource tooltips. The update also brings significant pacing adjustments to the game.
Alongside the update, the Crossroads of the World Collection is set to launch today, March 25, introducing new civilizations such as Bulgaria and Nepal, along with a new leader, Simón Bolívar, available as part of a paid expansion.
Reactions to Civilization 7
Civilization 7 has stirred mixed feelings among series veterans due to its new mechanics. The game has struggled to capture a robust player base on Steam, with console player numbers remaining undisclosed. On Steam, Civilization 7 holds a 'mixed' user review rating and received a 7/10 from IGN's review.
In a recent interview with IGN, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but remained optimistic, suggesting that the "legacy Civ audience" would eventually embrace the game as they spend more time with it. Zelnick described Civilization 7's early performance as "very encouraging."
For players looking to dominate the world in Civilization 7, our comprehensive guides cover everything from completing every Civ 7 victory, understanding the biggest changes from Civ 6, and avoiding 14 crucial mistakes. We also provide detailed explanations of Civ 7 map types and difficulty settings to help you strategize effectively.
