"Firaxis Hints at Gandhi's Return in Civilization 7"

With the release of Civilization 7, fans of the iconic strategy series have been buzzing about the absence of a familiar face: Indian leader Gandhi. A staple in every base game since the franchise's inception in 1991, Gandhi's absence has sparked curiosity and concern among the community. Notably, he's also famous for the legendary, albeit mythical, 'Nuclear Gandhi' bug.

However, fans need not despair. In an interview with Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach, it was revealed that Gandhi's exclusion from the base game is not permanent. Beach assured fans that Firaxis has a comprehensive roadmap for future content, hinting at Gandhi's potential inclusion as downloadable content (DLC).

Sounds like Gandhi is upcoming DLC for Civ 7. Image credit: Firaxis.

"So I would say we haven't forgotten about anybody who's been in our game before," Beach stated. He acknowledged the community's concerns about missing civilizations like Great Britain, which, along with Carthage, will be part of The Crossroads of the World Collection DLC in March 2025, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal.

Beach elaborated on Firaxis' strategy for selecting civilizations, noting that even iconic ones like Mongolia and Persia were absent from the base games of previous iterations. "We always have to leave somebody out," he explained, emphasizing the need to balance popular choices with fresh, exciting additions. "So things are getting left behind, but we always are looking at the big picture, when we're going to bring leaders or civs into the fold. So there's hope for Gandhi, yet."

While fans await Gandhi's return, Firaxis is also addressing other community feedback. Civilization 7 has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, with complaints focusing on the user interface, map variety, and missing features. In response, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic, suggesting that the "legacy Civ audience" will warm up to the game over time, and describing its early performance as "very encouraging."

For those eager to conquer the world in Civilization 7, our comprehensive guides can help. From achieving every Civ 7 victory to understanding the biggest changes from Civ 6, and avoiding 14 crucial mistakes, we've got you covered. Additionally, delve into the details of Civ 7 map types and difficulty settings to enhance your gameplay experience.