Civilization VII's release has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's omission is notable, especially given his association with the infamous (and ultimately mythical) "Nuclear Gandhi" bug.
Lead designer Ed Beach addressed this concern, offering reassurance to fans. While Gandhi isn't present in the base game, Beach confirmed that his inclusion as DLC is a possibility. He emphasized that Firaxis hasn't forgotten past leaders and civilizations, citing the initial absence of Great Britain and other prominent historical figures in the launch title. The omission, he explained, is due to the sheer number of popular choices and a desire to introduce fresh, exciting civilizations. The roadmap for future DLC includes plans to bring back beloved leaders like Gandhi.
Beach highlighted that iconic civilizations like Mongolia and Persia were also absent from previous base games (Civ V and VI), demonstrating a consistent pattern of prioritizing a mix of established and new entries. He confirmed that while some civilizations are initially left out, Firaxis maintains a long-term vision for their inclusion.
The current "mixed" user reviews on Steam, stemming from concerns regarding the UI, map variety, and missing features, are also being addressed. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success and the eventual acceptance of the game by the "legacy Civ audience."
For players seeking to conquer the world in Civ VII, resources are available, including guides on achieving all victory types, understanding the key differences from Civ VI, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating map types and difficulty settings.
