"Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick 'Thrilled' with Civilization 7 Despite High Play Rates of Civ 6 and 5 on Steam"

The launch of *Civilization 7* on Steam has been rocky, to say the least. Since its debut in February, the strategy game has struggled to attract players on Valve’s platform, with user reviews reflecting a 'mixed' reaction. Despite multiple patches from developer Firaxis aimed at improving the game, *Civilization 7* finds itself in a challenging position, boasting fewer players than both *Civilization 6* and the 15-year-old *Civilization 5*.

While *Civ 7*'s performance on Steam is concerning, it's important to note that the game has also been released on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. A Nintendo Switch 2 version utilizing the new Joy-Con mouse controls is on the horizon. However, given that the PC platform is the core of the Civilization franchise, *Civ 7*'s struggles there are particularly notable.

Despite the challenges, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expressed his enthusiasm for *Civilization 7* in an interview with IGN. "I'm thrilled with Civ 7 so far," Zelnick stated. He acknowledged initial issues but praised the Firaxis team for their efforts in addressing them. "There's more work to be done," he added, expressing optimism that the game would ultimately meet consumer expectations and become a successful title.

Zelnick highlighted the long sales cycle typical of the Civilization franchise, suggesting that *Civ 7* would follow a similar trajectory. He noted that initial changes often cause concern among the franchise's dedicated fanbase, but over time, these changes are recognized as improvements. "I think that's what'll happen here too," he said, acknowledging the initial issues but emphasizing ongoing efforts to resolve them.

Upon its launch, *Civilization 7* faced criticism for its user interface, a lack of map variety, and the absence of features fans had grown accustomed to. Zelnick's comments on the nervousness of hardcore Civ players likely refer to the significant changes introduced by Firaxis, such as the new Age Transition system. In *Civilization 7*, players progress through three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. During an Age Transition, players select a new civilization, choose Legacies to retain, and witness the game world evolve—a feature unique to *Civ 7*. Zelnick believes that over time, fans will come to appreciate this innovative system.

While specific sales figures for *Civilization 7* have not been disclosed by Take-Two, the company's financial report mentioned efforts to expand the game's audience. This includes the recent release of *Civilization 7 VR* for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, as well as the upcoming port for Nintendo Switch 2.