Civilization's leaders are as iconic as the civilizations themselves. Firaxis' approach to choosing national representatives has evolved significantly over the years. This article explores Civilization VII's leader roster and how it redefines leadership within the series' history.

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Civ VII: A New Era of Leadership

Civ leaders have been integral to the series since its inception, shaping its core identity. Each leader embodies their civilization, becoming as crucial to gameplay as the civilization itself. While their role remains constant, the representation of leaders has diversified and evolved with each installment, refining the concept of leadership and its impact on gameplay.

This exploration delves into Civilization's history, examining the evolution of its leader roster, changes across iterations, and how Civilization VII uniquely redefines leadership.

Early Civ: A Focus on Global Powerhouses

The original Civilization featured a relatively simple roster compared to later games. The focus was on major global powers of the early 1990s and historical antiquity, with leaders largely mirroring established heads of state.

Limited by design and technology, the game included 15 civilizations, featuring leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Mahatma Gandhi, and Julius Caesar. The selection prioritized widely recognized figures, resulting in a straightforward, almost textbook approach to leader selection. Elizabeth I was the sole female leader, reflecting the time period.

This approach, while understandable for its time, paved the way for future innovations.

Civ II-V: Expanding Diversity and Creative Leadership

Civilization II expanded the roster and included lesser-known powers. It also introduced a separate female leader roster, providing more diverse choices. The definition of "leader" broadened, encompassing influential figures beyond heads of state, such as Sacagawea and Amaterasu.

Civ III integrated female leaders into the main roster, with notable examples like Joan of Arc and Catherine the Great.

Civ IV and V further expanded the roster and the definition of leadership. Revolutionaries, generals, and reformers became common, alongside traditional heads of state. Multiple leaders represented major civilizations, highlighting diverse perspectives. The focus shifted from solely powerful figures to a broader representation of humanity.

Civ VI: Characterization and Creative Flourishing

Civilization VI saw a significant increase in characterization, diversity, and creativity. Leaders were portrayed as stylized animated caricatures. The introduction of Leader Personas—alternative versions of the same leader—offered diverse playstyles. Lesser-known figures from various civilizations joined the roster, such as Lautaro and Bà Triệu.

The concept of leaders representing different chapters of their lives emerged, exemplified by Eleanor of Aquitaine and Kublai Khan. Multiple leader options for civilizations like America and China further enhanced diversity. Leader Personas added further depth to existing leaders.

Civ VII: A Bold New Direction

Civilization VII represents a significant evolution in leader selection. Building upon past innovations, it features the most diverse roster yet, with unconventional leaders, multiple personas, and carefully curated choices for diverse playstyles.

The mix-and-match approach to civilizations and leaders allows even lesser-known figures to take center stage. Harriet Tubman, Niccolò Machiavelli, and José Rizal are notable examples of this new approach.

Over nearly 30 years, Civilization's leader representation has evolved from a focus on global superpowers to a diverse collection of influential figures, reflecting a broader and more inclusive narrative of humanity.

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