Three months after its release, Civilization 7 continues to stir controversy among players due to its era system and the absence of key features from its predecessor. However, Firaxis is showing its determination to improve its 4X strategy game as quickly as possible. A surprise update added a new map type, increased the player limit in multiplayer, and made dozens of balance changes.
The main new feature is the Pangea maps, named after the prehistoric supercontinent. On these maps, all civilizations start on a single landmass with no oceans separating them. This creates fierce competition for resources and virtually guarantees constant warfare, although in the Age of Exploration, players will be able to travel to remote islands for additional resource deposits.
Multiplayer options have also been expanded. The Ancient and Exploration games can now be played with four, six, or eight players, just like the Modern era. Previously, these periods were limited to smaller numbers of players.
Firaxis has rebalanced seven leaders, including Himiko and Xerxes, and made changes to eight civilizations. Among them are Great Britain and Bulgaria from the Crossroads of the World DLC.