Civilization 7's launch has left many veteran players questioning the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple in every Civilization game since 1991, his omission is notable. This absence, however, isn't indicative of neglect, according to Civilization 7 lead designer Ed Beach.

Beach assures fans that Gandhi's absence is a strategic decision, part of a larger roadmap for future DLC. He points out that iconic civilizations have been absent from base games in previous installments (Mongolia and Persia in Civ 5/6), necessitating choices about which civilizations to include initially. The goal is to balance familiar favorites with fresh, exciting additions. While some, like Great Britain, are slated for inclusion in the "Crossroads of the World" DLC (March 2025), Gandhi's eventual arrival as DLC remains a possibility.

The current "mixed" user reviews on Steam, citing UI issues, map limitations, and missing features, are also being addressed. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledges the negative feedback but expresses confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization fanbase will ultimately embrace Civ 7.

For players seeking to conquer the world in Civ 7, resources are available: guides covering victory conditions, key differences from Civ 6, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings.