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

Civilization 7 has hit the market, and while it's met with a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains optimistic. He believes that the game's dedicated fanbase will grow to appreciate it as they spend more time with it.

Currently, Civilization 7 is accessible to those who've opted for advanced access, a group that tends to be the more hardcore fans of the series. These fans have been vocal on Steam, expressing concerns over the user interface, a lack of map variety, and the absence of certain expected features at launch.

In response, Firaxis has committed to enhancing the user interface, introducing team-based multiplayer options, and increasing the variety of map types, among other improvements.

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In a recent interview with IGN, Zelnick acknowledged the mixed reviews, including a notably low 2/5 from Eurogamer. Despite this, he highlighted the game's solid Metacritic score of 81 and pointed out that over 20 reviews scored it above 90. He emphasized that the initial apprehension from the "legacy Civ audience" is common with new releases in the series, but as players delve deeper, their appreciation typically grows.

"We feel really, really good about it," Zelnick stated. "We know we have a couple of issues. We have a bit of an issue with the UI, for example. We'll address that. So I wouldn't say the early access release is perfect in every way. I think it's very, very encouraging and I think the areas that are concerning are areas that we can and will address, and as you can tell, we're quite mindful of them."

Zelnick's confidence in the game's future appeal to hardcore fans likely stems from the significant changes Firaxis has introduced. A full campaign in Civilization 7 spans three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. At the end of each Age, players and AI opponents undergo an Age Transition, selecting a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry forward, and witnessing the evolution of the game world. This innovative system is a first for the Civilization series, and Zelnick believes it will be a hit with fans over time.

In the immediate future, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving sentiment on Steam, where user review ratings play a critical role in a game's visibility and success. Addressing the community's concerns will be key to turning the tide and ensuring Civilization 7's long-term success.