Summary

  • Civilization 7 will not include hotseat multiplayer, a change upsetting many fans.
  • Fans started a petition demanding the return of hotseat mode in Civilization 7.
  • Firaxis Games may address the hotseat multiplayer petition during a PAX West panel on August 31.

A petition seeking to include a hotseat mode in Sid Meier's Civilization 7 has popped up online after fans discovered that Firaxis Games' upcoming title will not support the feature. Some of Civilization 7's predecessors did not ship with hotseat multiplayer, but it was later integrated into the games.

The next entry in the popular Civilization series is set to introduce plenty of changes when it launches on February 11, 2025. One of the biggest confirmed reworks is Civilization 7's new leader system, which will finally give players the option to select their heads and nations independently. Developer Firaxis Games has also decided not to include hotseat multiplayer, a Civilization staple, in the franchise's latest installment, and this has upset many fans.

civilization vii releases information at pax west
Civilization Fans Need to Keep an Eye on August 31

August 31 promises to be significant for Civilization fans, with potential news and updates for the upcoming Civilization 7.

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A recently started Change.org petition addressed to Firaxis Games is demanding the addition of a hotseat mode in Civilization 7. Hotseat multiplayer allows two or more people to play a game on the same device by letting them take control in turns. According to the Change.org appeal that has been signed by around 300 people as of writing, the feature allowed families and friends to play together in one room. It also introduced many to the world of strategy games and produced good memories.

Will Civilization 7 Support Hotseat Multiplayer?

  • No. According to Civilization 7's support page, the game will not offer hotseat multiplayer.

Every single mainline Civilization game has supported hotseat multiplayer. While the franchise's second and third entries did not initially have the feature, it was later added to the titles through expansions. In a Reddit thread discussing the Change.org petition addressed to Firaxis Games, a user claimed that not including a hotseat function in a Civilization entry was akin to removing split-screen support from titles in the highly influential Halo series.

Aside from the lack of hotseat multiplayer, another change that is coming to Firaxis Games' next strategy title has also caused quite a stir among fans. Many have criticized Civilization 7's take on city conquering, specifically the way its settlements immediately adopt the visual style of a subjugating faction. In past Civilization games, a city would retain the architecture of its nation until the dawn of the next age.

Firaxis Games may address the hotseat multiplayer petition during its August 31 panel at PAX West. The developer will be accompanied by Greg Miller of YouTube channel Kinda Funny Games to discuss the design inspirations behind Sid Meier's Civilization 7, as well as the influences on the title's eras, factions, and art direction, among other things. Firaxis Games has confirmed that more live gameplay footage of its upcoming 4X title is also scheduled to be streamed in September.

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9 /10

Sid Meier's Civilization VII
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Grand Strategy
Turn-Based Strategy
4X
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
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Released
February 11, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Firaxis Games
Publisher(s)
2K
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization® VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!

In Civilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement.

Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.

Whether you choose to follow a path rooted in history or reimagine possibilities to chart your own way forward, build something you believe in and create a legacy that echoes through the Ages in Civilization VII.

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Franchise
Sid Meier's Civilization
Genre(s)
Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X