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

Civilization VII's launch has left many veteran players wondering about the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's absence is notable, especially given his association with the infamous (and ultimately mythical) "Nuclear Gandhi" bug.

However, Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach offered reassurance to concerned fans. In a recent interview, Beach stated that Firaxis hasn't forgotten past leaders and civilizations. He acknowledged the community's questions regarding the omission of Great Britain, among others, explaining that a longer-term roadmap dictates the inclusion of certain civilizations in future content. He cited the previous absences of Mongolia and Persia in earlier Civilization titles as precedent, highlighting the need to balance iconic figures with fresh additions. Beach explicitly mentioned that there's hope for Gandhi's eventual inclusion, likely as DLC.

Beach's comments suggest a strategic approach to DLC releases. The initial release of Civilization VII has faced some criticism regarding its user interface, limited map variety, and missing features. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged these negative reviews but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success and the eventual acceptance of the game by the established player base.

While Gandhi's return remains uncertain in the immediate future, Firaxis' plans suggest his inclusion is a matter of "when," not "if." For players seeking to conquer the world in the meantime, resources are available covering victory strategies, key differences from Civilization VI, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.