Take-Two Boss Says 'Legacy' Civilization Audience Will Eventually Come Around on Civilization 7 Amid 'Mixed' Steam User Reviews

Civilization 7's rocky launch hasn't deterred Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, who remains confident in the game's long-term success. Despite a "mixed" Steam user review rating, Zelnick believes the game's core fanbase will ultimately embrace Civilization 7.

The early access release, primarily accessed by dedicated Civilization players, has seen criticism focused on the user interface (UI), limited map variety, and missing features. Firaxis has acknowledged these concerns and pledged improvements, including UI enhancements, the addition of multiplayer teams, and expanded map options.

In an interview with IGN, Zelnick highlighted the positive aspects, citing an 81 Metacritic score and numerous reviews exceeding 90. While acknowledging negative reviews, such as Eurogamer's 2/5 rating, he emphasized the positive shift in player sentiment expected with increased playtime. He attributed initial negative reactions to the significant changes implemented by Firaxis.

Zelnick's comments regarding initial apprehension among hardcore fans directly relate to Firaxis' innovative approach. Civilization 7 introduces a novel three-age campaign structure (Antiquity, Exploration, Modern) with simultaneous Age Transitions for all players. These transitions involve selecting a new civilization, retaining chosen Legacies, and evolving the game world—a departure from previous Civilization titles.

Despite Zelnick's optimism, Firaxis faces the immediate challenge of improving player perception, particularly on Steam. The Steam user review rating significantly impacts the game's visibility and overall success on the platform. Addressing the identified issues is crucial for a positive trajectory.