Since its initial release in 1991, theCivilizationfranchise has offered its players the chance to live out the eras of human progress through the lens of some of the most revered leaders in history. The series' core concept has proven incredibly successful, withCivilization 6racking up stellar ratingsin the eyes of fans and critics. As the prospect of a seventh game firmly dawns on the horizon, the franchise faces the challenge of providing new dynamics to keep gamers engaged, and Firaxis could introduce some less publicly favored rulers toSid Meier’s Civilization 7.
Going back in time has long been a subject of fascination for lovers of history, usually motivated by the desire to meet some of the most charismatic individuals in all of humanity. Thebest historical-themed grand strategy/sim gameslikeRome: Total Warhave provided an outlet for imagination in this niche, giving insight into the impact of historical figures and structures on society. In the case ofCivilization, Firaxis gives players a choice of a world-renowned leader to model their gameplay after, from the legendary Alexander the Great to Cleopatra. Although the franchise’s successes speak for themselves, its historical representation isn’t truly comprehensive, andCivilization 7can feature more iconic figures by not sticking with the good guys of history.
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History’s Morally Ambiguous Have a Lot to Offer Civilization 7
For obvious reasons, Firaxis has avoided the inclusion of leaders with a particularly negative perception from previous editions ofCivilization. There’s certainly a line, but history is not black and white. Focusing only on the “heroes” of a civilization, those only in the white, holds back several playable options. There are a lot of “gray” world leaders thatCivilization 7could use to right this wrong.
Evidence from popular mods suggestsCivilization’s community might be ready for exposure to some of the more negatively perceived characters of the world. For instance, Nero the last Roman Emperor from the Julio-Claudian dynasty, one of the most nefarious rulers in the history of humanity, was included inCivilization 6through some developmental efforts from freelance programmers. The mod has since gained a reputation as one of thebest mods ofCivilization 6, and the inclusion of problematic rulers like Mussolini played an undeniable role in propelling it to premier status.
Admittedly, ethical lines are blurred in the case of mods, as certain elements that are acceptable in modded gameplay can’t necessarily translate into official development. However, asCivilization’s ultimate goal is to be a digital encyclopedia with an encompassing view of human history, the total erasure of leaders whose ideals do not align with today’s morals defeats the franchise’s purpose. Firaxis' main challenge lies in incorporating some of these controversial characters intoCivilization’s scenarioswithout exposing its player base to some of the ugliest aspects of said characters' regimes.
As the saying goes, those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it, and Firaxis' stance of blacklisting problematic characters entirely fromCivilization’s gameplay– while ethically sound in the short term is missing out on a chance to educate its players comprehensively. The developer could integrate these figures into the franchise under special conditions, for instance, only making them available for select modes or difficulties. Firaxis could also impose hefty limitations on these historical villains, reducing their gameplay effects and tweaking their agendas to keep the core ideals ofCivilizationclean. The addition of history’s more morally ambiguous is a step the franchise should consider taking to enhance its user experience, andCivilization 7is the perfect opportunity for a change in dynamic.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 7is currently in development.
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