‘We got it wrong’ with Civilization VII, says boss, as major update announced

May 6, 2026 - 18:38

The head of Take-Two Interactive has admitted that the launch of Civilization VII missed the mark, telling investors the company "got it wrong" with the latest entry in the legendary strategy series. Speaking during an earnings call, the executive acknowledged that the game's reception fell short of expectations, prompting a major update that aims to address player complaints.

"What we tried to do was a bridge too far in some areas," the CEO said, referring to the controversial design changes that shipped with the game. Players and critics had voiced frustration over the new "Ages" system, which splits the game into distinct phases, as well as a stripped-down user interface that many found confusing. The update, now rolling out, promises to overhaul the diplomacy system, add more map variety, and reintroduce features that were cut from previous titles.

The admission marks a rare moment of public self-criticism from a major publisher. While Civilization VII sold well initially, its user reviews on platforms like Steam quickly turned "Mixed." The CEO stressed that the studio is committed to fixing the game, comparing the situation to the rocky launch of Civilization VI, which later became a fan favorite after extensive patching. "We are listening, and we are acting," he said. "This is not the end of the road for this game. It is a new beginning."