Almost 18 months after Civilization 7’s bumpy launch – which saw it panned by players for a range of issues, including a poor UI, controversial changes to the series’ classic formula, and a lack of features – developer Firaxis’ slow and steady course correction continues next week with the launch of another major update, this time including much-requested hotseat multiplayer.
Hotseat multiplayer is the first major feature to be added to Civilization 7 since May’s massive Test of Time update, which sought to tackle some of the most significant complaints aimed at the historical 4X since launch – it was, in Firaxis’ words, an attempt to “synthesize over a year’s worth of listening, iteration, and playtesting into a one massive, free update.” Perhaps the most notable, most requested addition was the ability for players to start and stay as any civ, in any Age. But Firaxis isn’t stopping there.
Civilization 7’s 1.4.1 update is set to launch sometime during the week starting 22nd June, and includes the aforementioned hotseat multiplayer, enabling friends to compete in local games on a single device by passing a controller or keyboard. That’s in addition to a “completely revamped, highly randomised” Archipelago map style, built using “advanced Voronoi generation” – and yes, this does mark my first encounter with that particular string of words. Firaxis notes the old map variant will still be available under the name Archipelago Hemispheres.
And there’s more! Players can also expect overhauled Governments, Happiness, and Celebrations systems, which promise new Happiness stages, new passives and revamped celebrations for governments, and the ability to unlock Government Traditions that persist across Ages, “leaving a permanent mark on your civilisation’s history”. Chuck in various bug fixes and improvements that’ll be detailed at a later date, and that’s everything coming in Civilization 7’s free 1.4.1 update.
Not free, though, is the first half of Civilization 7’s new paid content collection, Brush & Blade, which focuses on the history of Korea and Japan, “exploring the delicate, beautiful balance between refined high art and legendary warfare.” Part 1 includes new leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi, alongside two new civilisations – Heian Japan and Sengoku Japan – plus four new Wonders and a selection of profile customisations. All this launches alongside 1.4.1 next week, and its second half – which introduces admiral Yi Sun-sin as a new leader and the Goryeo and Joseon civilisations – arrives this “summer”.
