Civilization 7 Dev Firaxis Says 'There's Hope for Gandhi, Yet'

Civilization VII's release has left many veteran players wondering about the absence of a familiar face: Mahatma Gandhi. A staple of the Civilization series since its inception in 1991, Gandhi's absence is notable. This isn't a simple oversight, however.

According to Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach, Gandhi's omission is part of a larger strategy. While acknowledging player concerns about missing civilizations like Great Britain, Beach explained that Firaxis has a long-term roadmap for adding leaders and civilizations. He pointed out that even iconic civilizations like Mongolia and Persia were absent from previous base games, highlighting the need to balance established favorites with fresh additions.

Beach offered reassurance, stating that "there's hope for Gandhi, yet," suggesting his appearance as DLC is a strong possibility. (Note: Carthage and Great Britain are confirmed DLC additions in March 2025, followed by Bulgaria and Nepal.)

The developer's focus currently seems to be on addressing negative player feedback regarding Civilization VII's user interface, map variety, and missing features. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, while acknowledging the negative reviews, expressed confidence in the game's long-term success, believing the core Civilization fanbase will eventually embrace the game.

For those looking to conquer the world in Civilization VII, resources are available to help navigate the new features and mechanics. Guides covering victory conditions, significant changes from Civilization VI, common mistakes to avoid, map types, and difficulty settings are readily accessible.

Best Civ 7 Leaders