"Take-Two CEO Optimistic About 'Legacy' Civilization Fans Embracing Civilization 7 Despite 'Mixed' Steam Reviews"

Civilization 7 has made its debut, receiving a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam. Despite this initial reception, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains optimistic, believing that the game's dedicated fanbase will grow to appreciate it as they spend more time playing.

The game is currently accessible through advanced access, primarily attracting the more dedicated Civilization fans. These fans have voiced their concerns on Steam, pointing out issues such as the user interface, limited map variety, and the absence of expected features at launch.

In response to this feedback, Firaxis has committed to making enhancements. They plan to improve the UI, introduce team-based multiplayer options for cooperative play, and expand the variety of map types, among other improvements.

In an interview with IGN before the third quarter financial results were released, Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback, including a notably low 2/5 review from Eurogamer. However, he highlighted the game's solid Metacritic score of 81 and noted over 20 reviews scoring above 90. Zelnick emphasized that the "legacy Civ audience" tends to warm up to new entries in the series after initial reservations, suggesting that Civilization 7's performance is "very encouraging."

Zelnick admitted that the early access release isn't perfect, particularly citing UI issues that Firaxis is committed to addressing. He expressed confidence in the game's future, stating that the areas of concern are fixable and that the team is actively working on them.

Zelnick believes Civ fans will come to love Civ 7. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

One of the significant changes in Civilization 7 is the introduction of a full campaign that spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Each Age Transition involves selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry forward, and witnessing the evolution of the game world. This innovative system is a departure from previous Civilization games, and Zelnick believes that fans will come to appreciate it over time.

In the near term, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving sentiment on Steam, where user review ratings play a critical role in a game's visibility and success on Valve's platform. As these ratings are highly visible and influential, turning around the initial mixed reception is crucial for Civilization 7's ongoing success.