Gandhi's Fate Unclear in Civilization 7

Civilization 7's release has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the Civilization series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's absence is notable. This isn't an oversight, however.

According to Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach, Gandhi's omission is a strategic decision. Beach assures fans that Gandhi's return is planned, likely as DLC. He explains that Firaxis prioritizes a balance between introducing new civilizations and including established favorites, sometimes necessitating leaving some out of the initial release. The absence of other prominent civilizations like Great Britain in the base game further supports this approach. (Note: Great Britain, along with Carthage, will be added via DLC in March 2025, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal.)

Beach highlights that iconic civilizations like Mongolia and Persia were also initially absent from previous Civilization titles (Civ 5 and Civ 6). The decision to omit certain civilizations allows for the inclusion of fresh, exciting additions to the game. While some key figures are left out initially, Firaxis intends to incorporate them later. Therefore, Gandhi's eventual return remains a strong possibility.

The hope for Gandhi's return is tempered by Civilization 7's currently mixed reception on Steam. Criticisms center on the user interface, limited map variety, and missing features. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledges the negative feedback but expresses confidence in the game's long-term success and player acceptance.

For those eager to conquer the world in Civilization 7, helpful resources include guides on achieving all victory types, understanding the key differences from Civilization 6, avoiding common mistakes, and navigating the various map types and difficulty settings.