A new update for the 4X turn-based strategy game, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, is around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming additions and changes in the 1.2.2 update.
Upcoming Civilization 7 Update – Quick Overview
A new patch for Civilization 7 is about to bring some exciting changes to the game.
Developers already shared with us what’s in the store and the two major highlights seem to be new map size options and official mod support via Steam.
On top of that, we can also expect some new game customization options, fine-tuning for AI difficulty of computer-controlled opponents, and some minor but impactful balance changes.
The new patch is scheduled to arrive on June 17 but the exact date is always subject to change so keep an eye on the official news.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s coming to Civ 7 in June.
Bigger Maps
Patch 1.2.2 will bring us two new map sizes. From now on, you will be able to play on Large and Huge maps, which is a real treat for those who love to build and manage big and lasting empires. It was one of the points that the community was looking forward to the most and should make your games feel grander and more epic, as it should be in a proper 4X strategy game.
There will be a default of 10 civs in single-player games for both Large and Huge maps, with an option to go for 12 on Huge ones. In case you have fewer civilizations available than that, you will see some duplicates.
In multiplayer, the number of civilizations will be capped at 8 instead.
There’s a small caveat though, but it’s to be expected; playing on bigger maps may negatively affect performance so make sure you have proper hardware that can handle large-scale operations. Otherwise, you risk running into issues such as lags and stutters, plus, it may take a longer while to calculate each new turn. The multiplayer restriction was made specifically to address this and reduce potential performance and stability issues.
Modding via Steam Workshop
Modding in Civ 7 was already possible but required some extra effort from the community to get things done. Patch 1.2.2 aims to simplify the process by adding official support for the Steam Workshop. From now on, players will be able to easily share and discover fan-made modifications for Civilization 7 via Steam, allowing for a much more fluid modding experience.
Once the patch is up, you will be able to browse the public library of mods, subscribe to the ones you find the most interesting, and toggle them on and off with just a few clicks. Customizing your gameplay experience can’t get much easier and more convenient than that.
The developers will also provide all the necessary documentation, a guide on best practices, and some practical examples to help people get into modding; even if you’re a complete beginner, it should be more than enough to allow you to create your own custom modifications from scratch.
More Game Options
The new patch will add a variety of new advanced options to further customize the game. This includes an option to turn Legacy Paths on or off, choosing allowed types of crises, tweaking individual elements of computer AI logic, an option to bypass civilization unlocks during Age Transitions and adjustable initial hostility of Independent Powers.
You can also expect a new Resort Town specialization, 24 new City-State bonuses, 2 new Pantheons, and 14 new Religious Beliefs, among other things.
What Does the Future Hold for Civ 7?
Developers made it crystal clear that they plan to provide the game with long-time support, which will include more balance changes, interesting gameplay additions, bug fixes, and more. On top of that, they want to move away from traditional empire-building gameplay and create something more dynamic and organic.
The development team is also open to feedback and is listening to all the suggestions that come from the community, giving everyone a chance to become a part of this grand project.
As for more specific changes and additions that we should be able to get soon, there is an Auto-Explore feature that is planned to be released in July.
At some point, we can also expect developers to address the issues of low replayability, abrupt Age Transitions, and the lack of sense of empire identity during play.