Summary
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 withCivilization 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 maximizeCivilization7’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 firstSid Meier’s Civilizationgraced PCs, and six sequels later, the series' legion of fans has only bolstered, eagerly awaiting any word on its next iteration.Civilization 6released 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 keptCivilization 6relevant, and arguably evergreen, but eight years since its last entry, the time is right tostart fresh on a more contemporary canvas.
Civilization’s Path to Victory
Based on Firaxis’s history in revealing andreleasingCivilizationgames, 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 itsCivilizationgames keeping true to the trend:
A Crowded Battlefield
In the space betweenCivilization 6’s launch and now, the 4X genre has expanded, andCivilization 7’s success is less of a foregone conclusionthan previous entries. Between the uprisings of Civ-like games likeOld WorldandHumankind,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 7is 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 theideal landing spot forCivilization 7’srelease 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 toCivilization 6,which would make it likely that the pattern would continue for the franchise andCivilization 7would release in Winter 2024.
Firaxis is no doubt aware that it faces a critical juncture.Civilization 7has years-since eclipsed the longest wait time between entries in the series, and though the live-service support forCivilization 6has eased fans' impatience, that well is drying up. If the studio is on-track with thedevelopment ofCivilization 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.
