Take-Two Confident in Civilization VII's Long-Term Success Despite Slow Start

Take-Two Sees Long-Term Value in Civilization VII

Despite a somewhat lukewarm reception since its release roughly six months ago, Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, remains unconcerned about the current performance of Sid Meier's Civilization VII. The highly anticipated strategy game has garnered mixed user reviews on Steam, currently hovering around 47% positive, and its active player count on PC trails significantly behind its predecessor, Civilization VI.

In a recent discussion with IGN, Zelnick acknowledged that Civilization VII's initial metrics were indeed lower than anticipated. However, he quickly emphasized that Take-Two's internal projections for the game's 'cumulative long-term value' remain firmly aligned with their original expectations. He further noted that the 'situation is improving gradually,' though specific sales figures for the new 'Civ' title were not disclosed.

Zelnick explained his perspective, stating, "I think it's important to remember that Civilization games always slowly pick up momentum. You know, I'm not a big believer in the 'long tail' theory in the gaming industry, but 'Civ' is precisely the case that confirms it. Currently, our forecasts for the project's long-term value completely coincide with our initial calculations."

While Civilization VII may not have started as robustly as Take-Two might have hoped, leading developers to quickly implement changes based on user feedback, the publisher's confidence remains high. Zelnick highlighted that 'player interest is gradually growing,' and significant updates are planned for the future. He expressed conviction that "over time, it will take an honorable place in the Civilization lineup and prove its worth."

The team at Firaxis Games is reportedly working diligently to fulfill Zelnick's vision. They are consistently releasing updates and closely monitoring community reactions to changes within the game. For instance, an update rolled out in late July reintroduced automatic exploration and refined the transition between game eras, demonstrating their commitment to improving the player experience. This ongoing support suggests that players can anticipate a more refined and robust Civilization VII as Firaxis continues to enhance the game based on community input and long-term development goals.