How the Nintendo Switch Has Revolutionized Firaxis' Approach to Civilization Game Development

The success of Civilization 6 on the Nintendo Switch caught Firaxis off guard, as the studio had primarily focused on developing games for PC. However, the Switch's portability and accessibility led to a new audience, including core PC players who wanted to take their game on the go. This unexpected outcome prompted Firaxis to rethink its approach to game development, particularly with the upcoming Civilization 7. According to executive producer Dennis Shirk, the studio was surprised by the Switch's popularity and the fact that players were willing to play the game for extended periods on a handheld device. As a result, Firaxis decided to develop Civilization 7 for all platforms simultaneously, including the Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X. This decision was influenced by the fact that the new consoles have similar processing power to modern PCs, making it possible to create a unified gaming experience across platforms. To achieve this, Firaxis partnered with Behaviour Interactive to help with console ports, while maintaining control over the development process. The studio is creating assets with level of detail (LOD) in mind, which allows for more efficient rendering on various platforms. The graphics team is also working on custom engines tailored to each console, which has presented an interesting challenge. Civilization 7 marks a significant departure from previous titles in the series, with a new approach to game progression and evolution. The team has adopted a more flexible development model, moving away from the traditional 33/33/33 approach, where 33% of the game is new, 33% is the same, and 33% is improved. Instead, the studio is focusing on creating a unique experience that builds upon the core elements of the series. The game features a new narrative system, which presents players with decisions and story bits that are scattered throughout the game world. Each Civ leader has a primary quest line tied to their historical context, adding a new layer of depth to the game. The development process has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the studio to work remotely. However, Firaxis has since adopted a hybrid work environment, where the core team works together in the studio for part of the week, allowing for more effective collaboration and idea generation. The pandemic experience has taught the studio the importance of face-to-face interaction and spontaneous idea generation, which has been incorporated into their new work model.