A significant new update for Civilization 7 is on its way, bringing crucial changes designed to enhance player decision-making. Firaxis’s latest installment has faced scrutiny regarding its age system and various UI and menu issues. However, the development team has been diligently working on improvements based on community feedback. This upcoming patch, 1.2.5, focuses on refining some of the most critical moments in a campaign, as detailed by Civ 7 lead producer Tom Shaw in a recent developer blog.
Tom Shaw highlights three pivotal decision points in any Civilization 7 game: choosing what to construct, where to place new structures, and whether to prioritize improvements or specialists. He acknowledges that having adequate information for informed choices is fundamental to top-tier 4X games, an area where Civ 7 has previously struggled. This often led players to experience ‘analysis paralysis’ or, worse, a sense of apathy.
Shaw emphasizes, ‘Our aim is for players to always feel knowledgeable and capable during these crucial decisions, and we acknowledge there’s significant room for enhancement.’ The initial focus of the update is the settlement production menu. Previously, this menu failed to adequately present yield data, effectively acting as a misleading recommendation system. This often led players to prioritize the highest numerical output without considering other influential factors affecting tile yields. The upcoming update remedies this by displaying both base yields and potential bonuses, such as the count of existing improvements benefiting from a warehouse effect and the maximum adjacency bonuses available within the settlement for a specific building. Shaw states, ‘We’ve opted for a straightforward, clear calculation that we believe will benefit the broadest player base, but we are eager for community feedback on this and other modifications.’
Beyond that, Firaxis has completely reworked the tooltips for buildings, improvements, and wonders to boost clarity and readability, ensuring vital information is never overlooked. A before-and-after comparison demonstrates these changes, showcasing improved bulleted lists and helpful tags at the top that streamline understanding of each item’s function.
Shaw also points out an issue with inconsistent visibility of yield losses, for instance, those from maintenance or overbuilding. This has been addressed, and now yield losses will be clearly displayed in all relevant situations. Given the extent of these menu changes, players will have the option to revert to the previous formatting through the settings menu if they prefer, though the negative yield displays will remain.
The building placement screen has also received an overhaul. For many, including Shaw, this process of optimizing hex choices is a highlight of strategy games. He notes that while deeply satisfying for optimizers, the previous UI offered minimal assistance. To rectify this, the update introduces clearer yield indicators, with green numbers highlighting tiles offering the highest net or primary yields. As players hover over valid hexes, the left panel will update dynamically, and arrows will pinpoint the source of adjacency bonuses. For those seeking deeper insight, an expanded, itemized before-and-after comparison can be toggled on.
Shaw clarifies, ‘We won’t dictate the exact placement of your building. That strategic decision, along with the astute planning involved, remains entirely yours. However, with these UI enhancements, we aim for the process to feel less like speculation and more like what it truly is: a well-informed, strategic choice that leverages your individual strengths.’
Finally, the growth events are getting attention. Deciding between improvements or specialists, a choice dependent on numerous factors, has been improved with a clearer presentation to facilitate more informed decisions. This revamp mirrors the new building placement screen, offering a detailed before-and-after toggle. Firaxis has delineated the advantages of improvements and specialists more distinctly, providing in-depth breakdowns of adjacency bonuses, maintenance costs, and tile types. Specifically for specialists, urban tiles will now explicitly show their current and maximum capacity, making it simpler to identify under-utilized or full areas.
These changes, as described by Shaw, are slated to arrive ‘soon with update 1.2.5,’ though a specific release date is yet to be announced. He reassures players that the work isn’t finished, stating, ‘There’s more to do in this space to push these experiences even further.’ Future plans include refining settlement banners, enhancing the overbuilding experience, and introducing an entirely new commerce hub. For those eager to dive into a new campaign, comprehensive guides on Civilization 7 leaders and optimal settings for performance are available. We invite you to share your thoughts on these adjustments and discuss your favorite 4X games.