Summary
- Firaxis has an opportunity to maximize Civilization 7's market exposure with strategic reveal and release dates in 2024.
- Based on past releases, Civilization 7 is likely to have a surprise reveal close to completion to avoid competition.
- However, said competition within the 4X genre has increased, and Firaxis needs to press the advantage to ensure Civilization 7's success. This would make a reveal within the next few months and a release this winter ideal for the game.
Any seasoned 4X fan knows the strategic value of timing, and with the current lull in 2024's winter holiday release schedule, Firaxis has an opportunity to seize with Civilization 7. Confirmed to be in active development, a second quarter reveal this year with a third or fourth quarter release would be the perfect spot to maximize Civilization 7's market exposure and pre-order sales, as the studio reckons with some stiff upcoming competition in the genre.
One of gaming's most tenured franchises, it has now been over thirty years since the first Sid Meier's Civilization graced PCs, and six sequels later, the series' legion of fans has only bolstered, eagerly awaiting any word on its next iteration. Civilization 6 released in 2016 to glowing reviews, and has enjoyed a commendably long lifespan thanks to its endless replayability and Firaxis's ongoing support. The two expansions, Leader Pass, Civilization packs, and New Frontier Pass have all kept Civilization 6 relevant, and arguably evergreen, but eight years since its last entry, the time is right to start fresh on a more contemporary canvas.
Civilization 6 Player Builds 'Atlantis'
A hardcore Civilization 6 player builds the fictional city of Atlantis in the game after they achieved a victory in their playthrough.
Civilization's Path to Victory
Based on Firaxis's history in revealing and releasing Civilization games, the safe assumption is that players will get a proper glimpse of the game when development is nearly concluded. In lieu of a protracted marketing cycle, all likelihood points to a surprise reveal with a release date within the same calender year. This gives the notable advantage of being able to pick a prime landing spot for the game, preventing more mainstream AAA titles and other 4X games from hogging the spotlight. This release date tactic has served Firaxis well in the past, with its Civilization games keeping true to the trend:
- Civilization 4: revealed in May 2005 as a part of E3 and released October 2005
- Civilization 5: revealed by 2K Games in February 2010 and released September 2010
- Civilization 6: revealed in May 2016 and released October 2016
A Crowded Battlefield
In the space between Civilization 6's launch and now, the 4X genre has expanded, and Civilization 7's success is less of a foregone conclusion than previous entries. Between the uprisings of Civ-like games like Old World and Humankind, as well as other long-running franchises that have hit their stride, (Age of Wonders, Endless Legend, and a handful of titles from Paradox Interactive) Civilization 7 is likely to face the stiffest competition of any game in its series.
Firaxis Needs to Press the Advantage
2024's Summer Game Fest will arrive at the beginning of June, and is set as the ideal landing spot for Civilization 7's release date trailer. Firaxis has yet to directly give any hints beyond the confirmation of the game's development, but some recent job postings hint that the studio may be gearing up to promote a new game. Barring some undisclosed tumult during its development, eight years should be plenty of time for the studio to create a worthy successor to Civilization 6, which would make it likely that the pattern would continue for the franchise and Civilization 7 would release in Winter 2024.
Firaxis is no doubt aware that it faces a critical juncture. Civilization 7 has years-since eclipsed the longest wait time between entries in the series, and though the live-service support for Civilization 6 has eased fans' impatience, that well is drying up. If the studio is on-track with the development of Civilization 7, the best route would be to announce it sooner rather than later. Hopefully, the Summer Game Fest or a publisher-run event in early to mid 2024 will alleviate the nearly decade-long interlude, and finally give players a peak behind the curtain to the next entry of one of gaming's most historic franchises.
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
- Released
- October 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Franchise
- Civilization
- Number of Players
- 1-6
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
- How Long To Beat
- 23 Hours
- Metascore
- 88
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
