Zelnick 'Thrilled' with Civilization 7 Despite High Play Rates of Civ 6 and 5 on Steam

Since its launch in February, Civilization 7 has faced significant challenges on Steam, with player engagement notably lower than its predecessors, Civilization 6 and even the 15-year-old Civilization 5. The strategy sequel has received a series of updates from developer Firaxis in an effort to improve reception, yet user reviews on the platform remain “mixed,” signaling a rocky start for the latest entry in the iconic franchise.

While Civilization 7 is also available on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch—with a new version coming soon for the Switch 2 featuring Joy-Con mouse controls—PC remains the core platform for the series. On Steam, however, Civ 7’s performance raises concerns about how well it's resonating with long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Despite the initial backlash, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed confidence in the game during a recent interview with IGN, stating he was “thrilled” with the current state of Civilization 7. He acknowledged early issues but praised Firaxis for their ongoing efforts to address community feedback.

“I'm thrilled with Civ 7 so far. However, there were some issues initially, and our team at Firaxis has done a great job addressing those issues. There's more work to be done. I'm optimistic that work will be done and will suit consumers, and ultimately that we have a very successful title on our hands.”

Zelnick emphasized the unique sales trajectory of the Civilization franchise, noting that while early reactions may be mixed, the games often gain momentum over time as players grow accustomed to new mechanics and changes.

“The history of all the Civilization releases is that initially some of the changes that we make cause consternation among our consumers because they love the Civilization franchise so much. And then people realize, oh, this really is an improvement and over a long sales cycle, we do really well. I think that's what'll happen here too.”

At launch, players pointed out several pain points, including an unintuitive user interface, limited map variety, and the absence of features commonly expected in previous installments. One of the most notable departures from tradition is the introduction of Age Transitions—a system that divides gameplay into three distinct eras: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. At the end of each Age, all players—including AI opponents—transition simultaneously, allowing them to select a new civilization, retain chosen Legacies, and witness the world evolve accordingly.

This bold structural change represents one of the biggest shifts in gameplay design in the series’ history. While initially met with skepticism from veteran players, Zelnick remains confident that the fanbase will come around to appreciating these innovations as the game matures.

Although exact sales figures for Civilization 7 have not been released, Take-Two has indicated it is actively working to broaden the game’s appeal. This includes the recent release of Civilization 7 VR for Meta Quest 3 and 3S, as well as the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 port, which leverages new hardware capabilities to enhance accessibility across platforms.