Summary
In the nearly seven years sinceCivilization 6was first released, the world has seen major technological advances in everything from gaming to artificial intelligence. Many of these advances are either partially or wholly reliant on the internet, and this is something that should be reflected in the technologies available to players inCivilization 7. Putting an increased focus on the Information Era in the series’ seventh outing by giving players more reasons to research than simply being able to build a bigger bomb would ensure thatCivilization 7moves the franchise forwardin a way that reflects recent changes in the real world.
Serving as the final era in previousCivilizationgames until the release ofCivilization 6’s Gathering Stormexpansion, the Information Era gives players access to modern technologies like satellites and robots among many others. ResearchingInformation Era technologies inCivilization 6lets players unlock a variety of powerful weapons, but the upcoming sequel should expand on this by integrating these technologies into areas that go beyond military conquest. By tying the Information Era, and the internet that powers it, into other gameplay systemsCivilization 7could create opportunities for new tactical strategies and even new victory conditions.
RELATED:Civilization 7 Is In Development
A More Integrated Information Era Would Give Civilization 7 Players More Options
Rather than limiting Information Era technologies to just being stepping stones on the path to building bigger bombs,Civilization 7should integrate them more thoroughly with core gameplay systems. One example of this would be integrating resources such as Power, a mechanic introduced with theGathering Storm expansion forCivilization 6, with Information Era technologies like Telecommunications. This would open the door to new tactical options such as introducing a Hacker unit that uses Telecommunications to disrupt energy production in enemy territories, giving players a new offensive strategy that doesn’t rely on pure military might.
Making some late-game resources and constructions reliant on the in-game internet would also pave the way for new defensive options and technologically oriented Wonders, shaking up thegameplay inCivilization 7. Players wanting to protect their civilization from foreign infiltrators could pursue new Civics options such as a Surveillance State path, which could let them more easily detect enemy units like Spies. Advanced new Wonders like a Great Firewall could also be added to the game, giving Information Era civilizations that complete its construction an extra layer of defense against adversaries pursuing Future Era civics like Information Warfare.
Doubling Down on the Information Era Could Create New Paths to Victory in Civilization 7
Allowing for new offensive and defensive strategies isn’t the only way that Firaxis could improveCivilization 7with a revamped Information Era, though. It could also open the door tonew victory conditions inCivilization 7. This could come in the form of a new victory condition where a player uses technologies such as Telecommunications and Satellites to gain total control over rivals’ Power production and other infrastructure to take down their civilization without firing a shot.
Firaxis could also choose to introduce new, technologically oriented ways to meet existing victory conditions inCivilization 7. One example of this would be adding new unlocks to Telecommunications that would allow players to spread their culture more effectively to other nations to earn a Cultural Victory. Another option would be to add new Information Era technologies that could manipulate voting in the World Congress to win a Diplomatic Victory through decidedly undemocratic means.
By integrating elements of today’s globally connected society into the next entry in its acclaimed strategy franchise, Firaxis could makeCivilization 7both more fun to play and somewhat more realistic. While it may be a while until franchise fans get morenews aboutCivilization 7, hopefully Firaxis uses some of that development time to bring the game’s Information Era in line with recent real-world technological advances.
Civilization 7is in development.
MORE:How Civ 7 Can Flip Some of the Franchise’s Most Common Strategies on their Head
