After its debut on consoles like the Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation, Civilization 6 quickly claimed the title of fastest-selling game in the series, overtaking its PC-only predecessor, Civ 5, by three million copies. The success of Civilization 6 on consoles demonstrated the potential of these platforms, making it no surprise that Firaxis and Take-Two are eager to apply the same strategy with Civilization 7 right from its launch.
The latest installment in this enduring 4X saga, Civilization 7, has rolled out across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and even the Nintendo Switch. Excitingly, a VR version has already been slated for release this coming spring. However, there’s still one more platform ripe for consideration, and with the experience at their disposal, the developers may soon embark on another gaming frontier.
Back in 2008, Firaxis introduced Civilization Revolution, a console-only spinoff crafted to introduce a wider audience to the franchise and the 4X genre. While it was more streamlined than its predecessors, Civilization Revolution managed to deliver a robust strategic experience and largely accomplished its mission.
The subsequent year saw the release of Civilization Revolution’s iPhone port—the franchise’s first foray into mobile gaming. This iteration received mixed reviews, recognized for capturing the essence of Civ Rev, albeit with critiques concerning its interface and technical shortcomings.
With the release of Civilization Revolution 2 in 2014, exclusively for iOS and Android, feedback remained mixed. Some celebrated the graphics and mobile performance, while others lamented its resemblance to a slightly enhanced version of the original.
However, in 2020, the series marked an achievement with a comprehensive mobile port of a mainline entry, courtesy of Aspyr. Known for their Star Wars ports, Aspyr delivered Civilization 6 on iOS and Android to critical acclaim with accurate recreation via intuitive touch controls and minimal technical issues.
Recently, Civilization 6 joined Netflix’s growing collection of mobile games, available to subscribers at no extra cost. This version, including the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, arguably performs better than the 2020 edition. The evolution of Civilization’s mobile adaptations suggests an eventual Civilization 7 mobile is on the horizon.
Before Firaxis ventures into mobile with Civ 7, they may need to address some pressing issues, such as refining the user interface and reincorporating a few beloved features from previous games.
Civilization 7 introduces some notable tweaks to the franchise’s core gameplay. None of these innovations, however, pose any barriers for a mobile adaptation. On the contrary, these changes might make it particularly suitable for mobile, as seen in the Steam Deck version that supports touch controls, or the console version that uses a radial menu for easier navigation with a controller.
The fact that Civilization 7 is already performing well on the Nintendo Switch—a device with less technical prowess than many contemporary mobile phones—suggests that a mobile port isn’t a far-fetched idea at all.
