Following its launch on Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation,Civilization 6became the fastest-selling entry in series history, and to date, it’s sold 3 million more copies than the PC-exclusiveCiv 5. It’s clear that console ports had a significant impact onCiv 6’s sales, so it’s only natural thatFiraxis and Take-Twohave wanted to capitalize on that right out of the gate withCivilization 7.
The latest entry in the long-running 4X franchise,Civilization 7launched simultaneously on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and even the Nintendo Switch, and a VR port is already confirmed to be releasing in Spring. That leaves just one platform forCivilization 7to conquer next, and luckily, it already has some experience in that field.
Civilization 7 Should Get a Mobile Port (Eventually)
The Civilization Franchise Has Plenty of Experience in the World of Mobile Gaming
In 2008, Firaxis releasedCivilization Revolution, a console-only spinoff designed to give a whole new audience a simple and clear introduction to the franchise, andthe 4X genreas a whole. Though it was deliberately much more simplistic and streamlined than the mainline entries that came before it,Civilization Revolutionstill offered a compelling strategy game experience, and it (mostly) achieved what it set out to do.
In 2009,Civilization Revolutionreceived an ambitious iPhone port. This mobile port – the first of its kind for the franchise – was met with a middling reception from critics, with the consensus being that the game captured the spirit ofCiv Revwell, but it had some issues in the UI and technical departments.
In 2014,a sequel toCivilization Revolutionwas released exclusively on iOS and Android.Civilization Revolution 2received a mixed reception from fans and critics alike, with some praising the game’s visuals and performance on mobile platforms, and others criticizing the game for essentially just being the original 2009Civ Revrepackaged with a handful of new features.
But in 2020,Civilizationfans finally got their first proper mobile port of a fully-fledged, mainline entry.Developed by Aspyr(now mostly known for its recent cavalcade ofStar Warsports),Civilization 6’s iOS and Android port received glowing reviews, with the game being a one-to-one recreation with new, intuitive touch controls and very few technical drawbacks.
Before expanding to mobile, however, Firaxis needs to fix a few key issues withCivilization 7, such as its UI and a handful of missing features from past entries.
Civilization 7’s Gameplay Suits Mobile Play
Civilization 7has made some pretty significant changes to the franchise’s gameplay loop, but none of these changes would mean thatCiv 7couldn’t be ported to mobile platforms. In fact,Civilization 7has actually made some changes that could make it the most intuitive mobile iteration yet, with theSteam Deck versionalready allowing players to use a touchscreen, and the console version introducing a radial menu that allows players to access diplomacy options more easily via controller.
Civilization 7is also already available on the Nintendo Switch, where it runs surprisingly well. Given that the Switch is less technologically advanced than some modern mobile devices, it seems likely aCiv 7mobile port isn’t outside of the realm of possibility.
