Player stats, sales, and reception speculation thread

[stealth_nsk]

The counterpoint would be that they gave the players something they didn't want. I know that you fall on the side of hoping Civ7 doesn't change too much from original vision, so I respect that this isn't your viewpoint.

That's a big factor too, of course. Even though I enjoy Civ7, I still think ages were a mistake. But that's a kind of mistake which you can't avoid with player feedback, because that's core feature to build the game around and you have to make decision way before there's something to show to players.

 

[Kwami]

Trade system is the most obvious one thay underwent a lot of adjustment.

Did it? Maybe I just haven't watched enough videos, but what I saw seems to be largely the same as what Johan presented in early 2024.

 

[Leucarum]

It seems like a recurring issue with this thread is differing definitions of major/big/minor/small...

 

[Gorbles]

Maybe that wasn't the biggest difference, from our prior interactions you don't tend to accept any viewpoints you didn't already hold.

Interesting take, pretty uncharitable but let's not respond to like with like.

We know from public statements from PDX and users who had early access that they responded to player feedback fast making requested changes to systems, flavour and historicity.

I wasn't denying that, or putting down the work Paradox have done.

Given that Firaxis is currently playing catchup with Civ7 on all those counts... Even if it wasn't the biggest difference, I'm pretty sure it would have helped.

Maybe it would've. All I did was give an example where it didn't, or more accurately where other factors outweighed whatever advantage it did give. Why act as though I'm arguing against it?

It's one of those things that only Firaxis (and 2K) can decide on. Which means evaluating potential benefit is impossible beyond making the suggestion. Like I said: what they're currently opening up will provide valuable insight into how well that works with Civ. specifically.

 

[Core Imposter]

Yeah, Paradox is better. I recommend everyone just pull up stakes and meet over there. Bye.

 

[Leucarum]

pretty uncharitable but let's not respond to like with like.

That's fair and I apologize. My intention was to walk away gently but it came accross badly for sure.

 

[Evolena]

In October so far, 46/113 Steam reviews have been positive. So, sentiment remains mixed now, 8 months after release.

So, only quoting that because it's about when I started to read this thread and look at the numbers on my Steam store page, whatever the filters are there for the Recent Reviews.
Since then, it has slowly increased to 47, 48, then faster to 49 all the way up to 53 this morning. [And it has been 50 pages, too]

 

[Smegger213]

So, only quoting that because it's about when I started to read this thread and look at the numbers on my Steam store page, whatever the filters are there for the Recent Reviews.
Since then, it has slowly increased to 47, 48, then faster to 49 all the way up to 53 this morning. [And it has been 50 pages, too]

Overall for October, the review status was 47.43% positive.
Yes, the recent reviews are getting more positive. Especially the 2 big spikes after the 4th Nov patch. No doubt caused by the new free content.
We shall just have to see if this upwards trend continues.

 

[Civinator]

One Proud Bavarian hit for the nail

 

[UWHabs]

That's a big factor too, of course. Even though I enjoy Civ7, I still think ages were a mistake. But that's a kind of mistake which you can't avoid with player feedback, because that's core feature to build the game around and you have to make decision way before there's something to show to players.

Yeah, between last august and last February, it's not exactly like they could have pivoted out of ages or civ switching or any of those truly core features from the game. Obviously they saw the feedback on them and have added in the continuity mode, and are working towards some sort of ageless civ version, but those aren't features they can just rip up and correct over a long weekend.

 

[itix]

Some thought after playing EUV.

PDX devs are not too shy about adding tooltips, nesting tooltips, windows, tabs, even more windows. Sometimes you get even circular tooltips where the hunt for information ends up back to square one. There is information that you have got something wrong but there is no information on why. Finding the information is sometimes cumbersome. You are navigating through a sea of dialogs.

Firaxis hates providing information. Windows and dialogs are kept to a minimum, which, on the other hand, lessens the mental burden. Only few windows to check, and if it is not there, it wont be anywhere. Perfecting UI is easier and generally Civ UI is very polished, lean and sleek. Sometimes they fail. In Civ 6, the spy assignment dialog is messy and difficult to understand. Or when using a builder to improve tiles in the late game, the UI is lying about yields. But those issues are easy to ignore. I can say with confidence that Firaxis UI devs are more professional than their PDX colleagues. When it comes to balancing information and screens, Old World devs win, but the UI is not that sleek.

Then the game play loop. Firaxis obviously has an advantage, because civ is so simple to start. Found a city, explore, build and research. Repeat until you win. In EUV, you must first check what your existing kingdom is about, learn what has to be improved, define your strategy, adjust taxes, goods, production etc. In EUV, I am still learning what I should do. In HOI4, I have a checklist that I go through when I start a new campaign Mental burden is massive because you dont start with an empty canvas but with ready made empire.

Which is fine for me, I have more hours in PDX games than in Firaxis games, but the Civ franchise is not threatened by competitors. Their only threat is Firaxis itself and 2K.

 

[aieeegrunt]

“Just listen to the players” is a double edged sword

You could end up like Overwatch, where balance patches were being dictated by a handfull of streamers/eSports stars and it turns into “oh crap, I killed a Genji one trick, here comes my nerf”

Or the Halo MLG effect where nothing not a precision head shot weapon is allowed to be good and only mechanical twitch aim is a “real skill”

 

[Crashdummy]

Lostening to players is good

Obviously, mindlessly doing what players say its bad

The skill that Game Deisgners need to have is how to asses player feedback without doing everything they say and without discarding everything

That being said, this applied to Civilization, you have over 3 decades of something that worked, you recently made very big changes to core concepts, and it should be easier to not overreact, specially since they tried to make the original design work

 

[Bug Repellent]

Take Two just announced they're delaying GTA6 to November 2026. Stock tanking 10% after hours. Q2 FY26 conference call starting in 8 minutes.

Seems they learned the lesson from Civ7 and they're not releasing a half-backed dud to upset the fanbase.

 

[IntelligentDisk]

I don't think the substandard release of Civ VII had anything to do with that. They likely were aware that Civ VII was unfinished and didn't care enough. With GTA VI, they care. That's their future breadwinner.

 

[stealth_nsk]

Yeah, it's hard to imagine someone in management didn't know that hasted release could lead to negative reaction. There were just some combination of factors which led 2K to make one decision with Civ7 and different one with GTA6.

 

[Gorbles]

That being said, this applied to Civilization, you have over 3 decades of something that worked, you recently made very big changes to core concepts

Ignoring 1UPT when it continues to be blamed for the AI, lack of grand strategy, and everything in-between is a demonstration of why it's so tricky to take input from fans.

I don't envy developers in that regard.