Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick Excited for Civilization 7 Despite Civ 5 Surge

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed optimism regarding Civilization VII despite its struggles on Steam, where it has attracted fewer players compared to its predecessors, Civilization VI and V. Although the strategy game's launch faced mixed reviews and highlighted issues like user interface problems and a lack of map variety, Zelnick remains confident. He acknowledged the game's long sales cycle and believes that once players adapt to the significant changes made, including the unique Age Transition system, it will lead to increased appreciation over time. Firaxis is focusing on addressing initial concerns and expanding the game's audience with upcoming releases on platforms like Meta Quest 3 and Nintendo Switch 2.

Civilization VII is the latest installment in the iconic Civilization series, known for its complex strategy gameplay where players build and manage civilizations from ancient times to modernity. The game has introduced novel features, such as simultaneous Age Transition for all players, which changes the way players experience era progression. This title aims to redefine elements that have long been a staple of the series while striving to engage both veteran and new players.