It looks like some exciting changes are on the horizon for Civilization 7, with recent data mining hinting at new leaders and civilizations coming to the game, including some with a distinctive pirate flair. According to these findings, we might soon see iconic figures like Whina Cooper, leader of the 1950s Maori Women’s League, the 16th-century Moroccan pirate queen Sayyida al Hurra, and the infamous pirate Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach, joining the ranks of Sid Meier’s famed strategy series.
For those eagerly anticipating Civilization 7, the official release is set for February 11. However, those who opted for the Founders or Deluxe editions have already dived into the game through early access, which began on February 5. The early reviews have been a bit of a mixed bag, but players have been particularly impressed by the innovative leader and civilization combinations available in the base game.
Presently, Civilization 7 features 21 different leaders. In keeping with its fresh approach, the game allows leaders to be more versatile, unanchored to a single civilization. This change permits players to creatively blend and maximize bonuses from various civilizations, offering a fresh strategic depth that’s been well-received. The potential expansion of these combinations is on the horizon, according to Reddit user ManByTheRiver11, who claims to have uncovered further details in the game files. If true, leaders like those mentioned, along with civilizations such as the Icelandic, Ottoman, Maori, and Tonga, might eventually make an appearance, alongside an intriguing Pirate Republic.
Beyond leaders and civilizations, there’s talk of a new age being introduced. Currently, the game spans the Antiquity Age, the Exploration Age, and the Modern Age, with players advancing based on specific criteria met in each era. The datamined information references an “age-atomic-shell” file, indicating that an Atomic Age might be added, enriching the game’s endgame experience.
Such enhancements could provide a significant uplift for Civilization 7, which is currently seeing varied reviews on Steam, with players fairly divided in their opinions. Some have expressed dissatisfaction with the user interface and the absence of beloved features from earlier editions. Nonetheless, Firaxis has room to win over skeptics by focusing on the admired leader and civilization dynamics, arguably one of the standout features in this iteration of the series.
