Gandhi's Fate in Civ 7 Hangs in Balance

Civilization VII's release has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the Civilization series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's omission is notable. This absence, however, isn't indicative of neglect, according to Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach.

In a recent interview, Beach assured fans that Gandhi's absence is part of a larger, phased DLC rollout. He highlighted the similar initial exclusion of Mongolia and Persia in previous Civilization titles, emphasizing the need to balance established favorites with fresh additions. The decision to omit certain civilizations, including Great Britain, initially, reflects a strategic approach to content delivery. (Note: Carthage and Great Britain are included in The Crossroads of the World DLC, releasing March 2025, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal.)

Beach confirmed that Firaxis has a long-term plan for adding leaders and civilizations, offering hope for Gandhi's eventual return. The developer's current focus appears to be addressing community feedback regarding Civilization VII's user interface, map variety, and perceived missing features, as evidenced by the game's mixed Steam reviews.

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative press and player feedback in a recent interview with IGN, expressing confidence that the game's reception will improve with continued play and highlighting the game's early performance as "very encouraging."

For players seeking to conquer the world in Civilization VII, several helpful guides are available, covering victory strategies, key differences from Civilization VI, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.