"Take-Two CEO Optimistic About 'Legacy' Civilization Fans Embracing Civilization 7 Despite 'Mixed' Steam Reviews"

The much-anticipated release of *Civilization 7* has stirred a 'mixed' reaction among its Steam user base, despite the optimism expressed by Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick. The game, crafted by Firaxis, is currently accessible to those who opted for advanced access, a group that often comprises the series' most dedicated fans. These fans have been vocal about their concerns, particularly regarding the user interface, the limited variety of maps, and the absence of several expected features at launch.

In response to this feedback, Firaxis has committed to enhancing the user interface, introducing team-based multiplayer options for cooperative play, and expanding the selection of map types, among other improvements. These steps demonstrate the developer's dedication to addressing the community's concerns and enhancing the gaming experience.

Best Civ 7 Leaders

In an interview with IGN prior to the release of third quarter financial results, Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the initial negative reviews from both the press and players, specifically mentioning Eurogamer's critical 2/5 score. However, he remains confident that the "legacy Civ audience" will grow to appreciate *Civilization 7* as they spend more time with it. Zelnick pointed out the game's solid Metacritic score of 81 and highlighted that over 20 press reviews scored it above 90, despite some negative outliers.

"We think that as people play the game longer, the sentiment improves because with every launch of a new Civ, the team pushes the envelope a little bit and our legacy Civ audience is a little bit nervous about what they initially see and then they realize, wow, this is actually really incredible, and they dive in," Zelnick explained. He admitted that while the early access release isn't perfect, particularly with regards to the UI, he finds the overall performance "very encouraging" and emphasized Firaxis's commitment to addressing the issues raised.

Zelnick's comments about the nervousness of hardcore Civ players at the game's launch likely refer to the significant changes introduced in *Civilization 7*. One notable innovation is the game's structure, which now spans three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. During an Age Transition, players select a new civilization from the new Age, choose which Legacies to carry forward, and witness the evolution of the game world. This system, unprecedented in previous Civilization titles, is something Zelnick believes will eventually be cherished by fans.

In the immediate future, Firaxis faces the challenge of improving sentiment, particularly on Steam, where user reviews play a critical role in a game's success. A game's Steam user review rating not only reflects the community's opinion but also impacts its visibility on the platform, making it essential for Firaxis to address the current concerns effectively.