The Current State of Civilization 7

Firaxis has rolled out a crucial 1.1.1 update for Civilization 7, though the newest installment in the storied franchise faces surprising player retention challenges. On Steam, Civ 7's 24-hour concurrent peak sits at just 16,921 players - fewer than both Civ 6 (40,676) and the 15-year-old Civ 5 (17,423). These numbers leave the latest entry outside Steam's top 100 most-played games currently.

What's New in Update 1.1.1

The patch introduces several quality-of-life improvements including:

• New Quick Move functionality
• The addition of Mount Everest as a natural wonder
• Various UI refinements
• Settlement and Commander renaming

Key Patch Notes Highlights

Lead designer Ed Beach detailed the changes in a developer video. Among the most notable updates:

• An optional Quick Move toggle for faster gameplay
• Revised map generation with Standard (single-player) and Balanced (multiplayer) presets
• The ability to rename settlements and commanders
• New instant restart functionality
• Improved UI elements like persistent city panels and better crisis indicators

New Content Arrives

Alongside this update comes the Crossroads of the World collection, introducing:

• The Bulgaria civilization
• Nepal and new leader Simón Bolívar (available March 25)

Community Reception and Future Outlook

Civilization 7's current "Mixed" Steam rating reflects divided opinions among series veterans regarding its new mechanics. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic, telling IGN the franchise's core audience will warm to these changes over time. The executive described Civ 7's early performance as "very encouraging" despite the mixed reception.

For players navigating these new systems, our guides cover everything from victory conditions to avoiding common mistakes, map types, and difficulty settings. Whether you're a series veteran or newcomer, these resources can help conquer Civilization 7's evolving landscape.