The developers of Civilization 7 have a strong recommendation for even the most seasoned players: stick with the tutorial for your first full campaign. In a detailed post on Steam, Ed Beach, the creative director at Firaxis Games, shared his insights and tips for embarking on your initial journey in Civilization 7.

"Civilization 7 is a comprehensive game, introducing numerous new systems and mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors," Beach stated. "With so much to explore and understand, we've crafted a tutorial to ensure every player, regardless of their experience level, has a rewarding first encounter with the game."

A key highlight of Civilization 7 is its innovative Ages system, which marks a significant shift for the strategy series. A full campaign spans three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. Upon completing an Age, all players, including AI opponents, transition together. During this transition, players choose a new civilization for the upcoming Age, select which Legacies to carry forward, and witness the evolution of the game world. This dynamic system is a first for the Civilization franchise.

Beach also shed light on why Firaxis opted for Small as the default map size in Civilization 7. "While many veteran players enjoy the vastness of the largest map sizes and the epic battles that ensue, we chose Small for a reason," he explained. "With three other empires on your home continent and more to discover later, Small Maps provide a manageable and enjoyable learning environment as you grasp the nuances of Civilization 7."

This map size is especially recommended for familiarizing yourself with the new Diplomacy system. "Managing your diplomatic relations and activities with a limited number of opponents simplifies learning how to effectively use your Diplomatic Influence," Beach noted. He also advised selecting Continents Plus for the Map Type to ease into ocean exploration, a crucial aspect of the Exploration Age.

Regarding the Tutorial and Advisors, Beach confirmed that the game automatically enables the Tutorial upon starting your first game. He strongly urged even seasoned Civilization players to keep it on for their initial full campaign. "The Tutorial is tailored to offer tips and explanations precisely when you encounter new elements," he said.

"Experienced fans might dismiss the idea of using the Tutorial, but given the extensive updates and revisions to our game systems, it's highly beneficial to follow it through all three Ages," Beach emphasized. He also pointed out the game's four Advisors, suggesting that players focus on one Advisor at a time if the guidance feels overwhelming.

Once players feel confident with the game's mechanics, Beach recommended switching the tutorial setting to Only Warnings. "This setting allows the Advisors to alert you to potential major setbacks in your empire's progress," he advised. "Even our internal team at Firaxis uses these warnings, despite their familiarity with the game."

In other news, Firaxis recently revealed the post-launch roadmap for Civilization 7 during a special livestream event. The game is set to launch on February 11 across multiple platforms, including PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S. The Deluxe Edition offers early access starting February 6.