Civ 7 Dev Urges All to Use Tutorial for First Campaign - Here's Why

The developer of Civilization 7 has strongly recommended that even seasoned players of the franchise should engage with the tutorial during their first full campaign. In a detailed post on Steam, Ed Beach, the creative director at Firaxis Games, shared insights into why this guidance is crucial for new players diving into Civilization 7.

"Civilization 7 introduces numerous new systems and mechanics, setting it apart from its predecessors in the series," Beach stated. "Given the complexity and the volume of new content, we've crafted a tutorial to ensure everyone can enjoy a successful first experience."

A key feature highlighted by Beach is the Ages system, a novel addition to the Civilization series. A full campaign in Civilization 7 spans three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. As players transition between Ages, they face significant changes, including the selection of a new civilization, choosing which Legacies to carry forward, and adapting to an evolving game world. This system marks a significant departure from previous entries in the franchise.

Beach also shed light on the decision to set Small as the default map size for Civilization 7. "We understand that many veteran players prefer larger maps and more empires to interact with," he noted. "However, choosing a Small map size for beginners helps create a more focused and manageable learning environment. With a few empires on your starting continent and additional ones to explore later, you can comfortably grasp the new mechanics of Civ 7."

He further emphasized the importance of the Small map size when familiarizing oneself with the new Diplomacy system. "Managing diplomatic relations with a smaller group of opponents allows players to better understand and utilize their Diplomatic Influence effectively," Beach explained.

For the Map Type, Beach recommended sticking with Continents Plus. "The additional islands near your continent provide a gentle introduction to ocean exploration, which is crucial during the Exploration Age," he said.

Regarding the tutorial, Beach confirmed that it is automatically enabled for the first game. He strongly advised even experienced players to keep it on for their initial full campaign. "The tutorial is tailored to provide timely tips and explanations as you encounter new elements," he said. "Despite the potential skepticism from veteran players, the revamped game systems justify the need for a tutorial during your first journey through the three Ages."

Beach also pointed out the role of the four Advisors in the game, suggesting that players might find it less overwhelming to focus on guidance from one Advisor at a time. Once players are comfortable with the game's systems, Beach recommended switching the tutorial setting to Only Warnings. "This setting ensures that Advisors can alert you to potential major setbacks, a feature that even our internal team at Firaxis uses," he added.

In related news, Firaxis unveiled the post-launch roadmap for Civilization 7 during a special livestream event, revealing that Great Britain will be available as DLC. Civilization 7 is set to launch on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S on February 11, with the Deluxe Edition offering early access starting February 6.