In an exclusive interview with Foreign Media Game Developer at Gamescom 2024, Ed Beach, the creative director of the “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series, expressed the frustration of the Firaxis Games development team regarding the very low completion rate of “Civilization VI.” The team aims to reflect on and improve this in the upcoming “Civilization VII.”
The “Civilization” series is built on various civilizations that have existed throughout history. Players take on the role of empire leaders, engaging in a 4X (exploration, expansion, development, and conquest) turn-based strategy on a grid map, guiding their nation from ancient times into a more modern society. The latest installment, “Civilization VII,” is scheduled for release in February 2025.
Despite “Civilization VI” maintaining a peak player count of 60,000 on Steam eight years post-launch and garnering 235,000 highly positive reviews, Ed Beach acknowledges its success but highlights ongoing assessments of gameplay flaws and potential improvements.
Firaxis follows a specific formula when developing “Civilization,” ensuring that every new game features an equal mix of new, updated, and existing content. This approach not only helps the team avoid alienating players during innovation but also mitigates the risk of scope creep.
However, Beach and his colleagues discovered that the primary issue with “Civilization VI” was that many players did not complete their games. The player completion rate fell below 50%, which surprised and frustrated the team. “No matter the adjective you use, it’s too low,” he stated. “Why is that?”
The Steam version of “Civilization VI” offers various civilizations and victory conditions, with completion times depending on gameplay style. From the default ancient era setting, only 36.9% of players achieved victory (around 30% on PS4), while the previous generation, “Civilization V,” saw a completion rate of roughly 30%.
Winning in regular gameplay typically takes 15 to 20 hours across six generations. Based on personal experience, no matter the starting era, as time progresses and territory expands, more elements requiring strategic management emerge. Ultimately, players need to tackle an exponentially growing list of tasks to complete each round.
Firaxis believes that the game’s “poor rhythm” is a significant factor leading to player drop-off. To enhance the experience in “Civilization VII,” the team conducted a thorough analysis of each system from the previous game and recognized that players spent 5 to 10 minutes making critical decisions, often burdened by tedious clicks.
This review led the development team to revamp the era system in “Civilization VII” to ensure that more players reach the finish line, which they refer to as “ages.”
“The game can be completed in just three eras. The map will undergo significant changes between eras. We hope to reset some aspects, simplify processes, and adjust the rules. For instance, the trade system will operate differently in each era.”
Beach also mentioned that the exploration aspect of the 4X gameplay is a core element that entices players to progress. “It was already exciting to discover the relative positions of the map and nearby neighbors in the first 50 turns. This time, we made adjustments to preserve this enjoyment and integrate it throughout the game.”
“Civilization VII” will expand the number of explorable locations according to the age and development stage. For example, in the Ancient Era, players can only explore land masses surrounding their starting country. Regardless of navigational advancements, the system prevents crossing oceans, preventing early-stage exploration focus.
When asked how Firaxis plans to effectively regulate gameplay without alienating players, Beach clarified that this design has already been implemented in 70 to 80% of the maps in prior games and will now serve as a rule.
The team regularly conducts testing for both single-player and multiplayer modes. Any content intended for the next version undergoes testing, allowing the team and testers to collaborate and streamline the game’s pacing through system adjustments.
“Civilization VII” is anticipated to launch on PC (Steam), PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on February 12, 2025.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII: What Players Can Expect
Insights from Gamescom 2024
During an exclusive interview at Gamescom 2024, Ed Beach, the creative director of the “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series, shed light on the development of “Civilization VII”. The team at Firaxis Games expressed their frustration regarding the disappointingly low clearance rate of “Civilization VI”. This prompted them to analyze and enhance the gameplay experience in the upcoming sequel.
The Essence of the Civilization Series
The “Civilization” series immerses players in a turn-based strategy game where they assume the role of a leader striving to develop their empire from ancient times to a near-future society. Players engage in a 4X (exploration, expansion, exploitation, extermination) gameplay cycle on intricate checkerboard maps. With “Civilization VII” anticipated for release on February 12, 2025, many fans are eagerly awaiting its new features.
Reception of Civilization VI
Despite its popularity—maintaining a peak player count of around 60,000 on Steam eight years post-release and garnering over 235,000 positive reviews—Firaxis believes room for improvement exists. Ed Beach acknowledged the success of “Civilization VI” while revealing that less than half of players actually finish their games.
Understanding Player Engagement
The team discovered through internal metrics that the percentage of players completing the game hovers below 50%. Beach remarked, “No matter which adjective you use, it’s too low.” The “Civilization” series has always included complex systems that can overwhelm new players, potentially resulting in early drops in engagement.
Analyzing Gameplay Flow
Evaluation of the gameplay rhythm revealed frustrating aspects, particularly lengthy decision-making processes. Players were spending five to ten minutes on crucial decisions, detracting from overall enjoyment. For example, regular gameplay in “Civilization VI” takes approximately 15 to 20 hours, but the intricate management required as territories grow can become cumbersome.
Identifying Problem Areas
- Pacing Issues: Many players reported dissatisfaction with game pacing.
- Decision Fatigue: Lengthy deliberations on city management and resources.
- Complexity Overload: The migration from early to late-game required excessive micromanagement, often leading to player burnout.
Innovations in Civilization VII
To tackle the identified issues and enhance player retention in “Civilization VII”, Firaxis is implementing a restructured era system. According to Beach, the game can potentially complete in just three eras, promoting faster-paced gameplay and encouraging completion.
Core Features of Civilization VII
- Redesigned Era Transitions: Maps will evolve significantly between eras to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Simplified Rulesets: Each era will present unique trade systems and operational rules to streamline gameplay.
- Enhanced Exploration: Exploration remains a vital component, now integrated gradually, allowing players to discover locations as they progress through different ages.
Exploration Mechanics
Exploration will be tiered based on the era and players’ technological developments. Early milestones will limit players’ navigation capabilities, ensuring that they focus on territorial expansion without overwhelming them with exploration challenges. According to Beach, “The goal is to maintain engagement, ensuring exploration remains exciting through the game’s entirety.”
Implementing More Player-Friendly Elements
Firaxis has emphasized the importance of playtesting, often bringing in testers to experience proposed game elements. By gauging responses and iterating on design, the team aims to smooth the rhythm of gameplay and foster a better player experience.
Platforms and Future Outlook
Civilization VII will be available across multiple platforms, including PC (Steam), PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. With the release date confirmed for February 12, 2025, players can anticipate an evolution in the franchise’s gameplay while addressing shortcomings that plagued its predecessor.
Player Expectations
As enthusiasts of the series prepare for the next installment, they can look forward to:
- Quicker game completions with the new era system.
- A fresh take on exploration that adds excitement.
- Refined gameplay mechanics designed to foster engagement and retention.
Table: Key Features in Civilization VII
| Feature | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Era Transitions | Game can be completed in three defined eras. | Encourages completion; keeps gameplay engaging. |
| Simplified Rules | Unique operational rules for each era. | Streamlined decision-making; reduces complexity. |
| Exploration Mechanics | Gradually unlocked exploration options. | Keeps players interested and engaged. |
