Civilization 7 Developers Tackle 20th Century Leaders and the Challenges of Colonialism in Strategy Design
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Firaxis discusses the design philosophy behind Civilization 7, addressing how they select 20th century leaders, evaluate controversial historical figures, and navigate the systemic challenges of depicting colonialism in 4X strategy games.
Firaxis has pulled back the curtain on the intricate development process behind Civilization 7 through a detailed community Q and A. The studio's historical team addressed some of the more complex challenges of shaping a massive 4X strategy title, ranging from the inclusion of recent historical figures to the heavy thematic weight of colonial expansion in gameplay loops. When asked about potential additions from the 20th century, senior historian Emily confirmed that the studio has not fully explored that era yet, leaving the door open for more modern leaders despite the legal and logistical hurdles of depicting recently deceased individuals.
The team also tackled the delicate process of selecting historical figures with controversial legacies. Senior historian Andrew outlined a thoughtful framework for the studio, explaining that a major rule of thumb is whether the memory of a person still causes active harm or if modern movements use their name as a pretext for violence today. This distinction explains why historical conquerors like Genghis Khan remain staples of the franchise, while other figures whose legacies are tied to ongoing real world harm are kept out of the roster entirely.
Perhaps the most candid discussion centered on how the franchise handles colonial expansion and linear progress narratives. Andrew admitted that moving away from traditional mechanics of profit, gold, and exploitation would require building entirely new gameplay systems focused on sustainability or coexistence. Doing so would effectively mean designing an entirely different game, which the team felt might alienate a player base looking for a classic 4X experience. You can read the full breakdown over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Civilization 7, Strategy Games, PC Gaming, Game Development, Firaxis
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun