Civilization 7 Dev Firaxis Says 'There's Hope for Gandhi, Yet'

Civilization VII's release has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple in every Civilization game since 1991, his omission is notable. The infamous "Nuclear Gandhi" bug, though ultimately a myth, cemented his place in Civilization lore.

So, why is Gandhi absent from Civilization VII's initial launch? Lead designer Ed Beach offered reassurance, hinting at his eventual inclusion as DLC.

Beach stated that Firaxis hasn't forgotten previously featured civilizations. He acknowledged player concerns regarding the absence of Great Britain, among others (Carthage and Great Britain are slated for inclusion in The Crossroads of the World DLC in March 2025, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal). He explained that Firaxis employs a long-term roadmap for DLC, prioritizing certain civilizations for the initial release and others for later additions. The decision involves balancing iconic civilizations with introducing fresh, exciting options. While some popular choices are initially omitted, Beach confirmed that Gandhi's inclusion remains a possibility.

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Currently, Firaxis is likely addressing the mixed user reviews on Steam. Criticisms include the user interface, limited map variety, and the perceived lack of expected features at launch. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization fanbase will embrace it with continued play.

Need help conquering the world? Consult our guides on achieving every Civ 7 victory type, understanding key changes for Civ 6 players, and avoiding crucial mistakes. We also offer explanations of Civ 7's map types and difficulty settings.