Civilization 7 Dev Firaxis Says 'There's Hope for Gandhi, Yet'

Civilization 7's Release: Where's Gandhi?

The release of Civilization 7 has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's inclusion has been a constant, even giving rise to the legendary (and ultimately mythical) "Nuclear Gandhi" bug. His absence from Civ 7 is notable.

However, Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach offers reassurance. In a statement, Beach indicated that Gandhi's omission is part of a larger strategic plan for DLC releases. He emphasized that previously absent iconic civilizations, such as Mongolia and Persia, have also been introduced later in previous iterations of the game. The decision to exclude certain leaders in the base game allows for the inclusion of fresh, exciting additions while acknowledging the vast pool of popular choices. Beach explicitly stated there is "hope for Gandhi."

Beach also addressed the inclusion of other civilizations, noting concerns regarding the absence of Great Britain in the initial release. He clarified that Carthage and Great Britain are included in The Crossroads of the World DLC collection, launching in March 2025, alongside Bulgaria and Nepal.

The game's launch has received mixed reviews on Steam, citing issues such as user interface design, limited map variety, and a perceived lack of expected features. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative feedback but expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, suggesting that the "legacy Civ audience" will appreciate the game more with continued play.

Need help conquering the world in Civ 7? Consult our guides covering victory conditions, key changes for Civ 6 players, crucial mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.