Civilization VII has arrived, and a familiar face is missing: Gandhi. A staple of the series since 1991, his absence has sparked considerable discussion among veteran players. The infamous "Nuclear Gandhi" bug, though a myth, cemented his place in Civilization lore.

So, where is he? According to Civilization VII lead designer Ed Beach, Gandhi's omission is not a sign of neglect. Beach assures fans that Gandhi's inclusion is part of a longer-term plan, hinting at future DLC. He points out that even iconic civilizations like Mongolia and Persia were absent from previous base games, emphasizing the difficult choices involved in selecting the initial lineup for a new Civilization title. The goal is to balance established favorites with exciting newcomers.

While some players express concern about the game's current state, with mixed Steam reviews citing UI issues, limited map variety, and missing features, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains optimistic, suggesting that the core Civilization fanbase will embrace the game with continued play. He describes the game's early performance as "very encouraging."

Meanwhile, for those eager to conquer the world in Civilization VII, resources are available to guide your domination: a complete guide to achieving every victory type, a comparison highlighting key differences for Civilization VI players, and a list of crucial mistakes to avoid. Furthermore, detailed explanations of map types and difficulty settings are provided to ensure a well-informed approach to gameplay.