Civilization 7: Innovating with a Groundbreaking Crossover DLC

Civilization 7 has had a bumpy takeoff, with early players voicing concerns about the game’s simplified user interface, some fresh Age-related features, and a few other sticking points. However, this isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for the Civilization series. Previous entries in the Civ franchise have also faced lukewarm initial receptions, only to win over fans as Firaxis rolled out new updates and fine-tuned gameplay mechanics over time.

Keen to smooth the rough edges, Firaxis immediately released a crucial day-one patch for Civilization 7 and promised more fan-requested updates soon. Excitingly, they’ve announced that four new leaders and eight new civilizations will arrive by the end of September for those who purchased the Founder and Deluxe editions. Yet, the long-term roadmap remains somewhat mysterious, suggesting an exciting opportunity to introduce a crossover that might add a fresh twist to the series.

What’s intriguing is the prospect of a Marvel-themed DLC—a path rarely trodden by the Civilization franchise. The closest they’ve ventured into crossovers was with a special XCOM unit in Civilization 5: Brave New World. Introducing a more expansive crossover with one of Firaxis’ previous titles could invigorate players once they’ve worn in the new mechanics and are ready for something novel.

In late 2022, Firaxis launched Marvel’s Midnight Suns, a turn-based strategy game where players command iconic Marvel heroes against demonic threats led by Lilith. Despite not hitting commercial highs, the game was critically well-received, showcasing Firaxis’ knack for working Marvel’s rich characters into strategy gameplay.

Leveraging this experience, Firaxis could weave elements from Marvel’s Midnight Suns into Civilization 7. Imagine a DLC featuring Marvel heroes who serve as world leaders, introduce new units, and possibly a Wonder or two straight from the Marvel universe. Picture Captain America in the leader’s seat, offering land units enhanced defense and health tricks, with Avengers Tower as his Wonder and a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier as his unique unit. While weaving Marvel’s themes into Civ 7’s newer Age and civ-swapping mechanics poses a challenge, it’s not an insurmountable one for Firaxis.

For Marvel Games, pairing up with Civilization 7 would be yet another step in exploring diverse gaming genres. Marvel Games is riding high, thanks to hits like Insomniac’s Spider-Man series, Marvel Snap, and the recent Marvel Rivals. Branching into the 4X strategy genre via a Civilization 7 crossover not only lessens the gamble compared to developing a new full-fledged game but also serves as an exciting sandbox for Marvel to play in.