Civ 7 Redefines What it Means to Be a Leader

Civilization's leaders are as iconic as the civilizations themselves. Firaxis's approach to choosing each nation's representative has evolved significantly over the years. Let's explore the evolution of Civilization VII's leader roster and how it redefines leadership.

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Civ VII Redefines What it Means to Be a Leader

Civilization's leaders have always been central to the series' identity, shaping gameplay since the first game. Each leader embodies their civilization's character, making them as crucial as the civilization itself. While their role remains constant, the types of leaders and their representation have diversified across each installment, refining the very definition of leadership within the game.

This exploration will examine Civilization's leader roster evolution, highlighting changes across iterations, and focusing on how Civilization VII uniquely redefines leadership.

Early Civ: A Club of Superpowers

The original Civilization featured a relatively simple roster compared to later games. Most were established global superpowers or figures from antiquity.

With limited scope and technology, the game included 15 civilizations—America, Rome, Greece, Japan, China, France, Egypt, Russia, and others. Leadership was straightforward: historical heads of state. The selection prioritized widely recognized figures.

This yielded leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Mahatma Gandhi, and Julius Caesar, alongside more controversial choices like Mao Zedong and Joseph Stalin. Elizabeth I was the sole female leader. This clear-cut approach reflects the era of the game's release. However, subsequent iterations introduced significant innovations.

Civ II Through V: Expanding Diversity and Creativity

Civilization II expanded the roster and included lesser-known powers like the Sioux. Crucially, it introduced a separate female leader roster, providing both male and female options for each civilization.

The definition of "leader" broadened. Figures pivotal to their civilization's identity, even if not heads of state, took center stage. Examples include Sacagawea (Sioux) and Amaterasu (Japan).

Civ III integrated female leaders into the main roster (six in total), sometimes replacing historically dominant male counterparts (Joan of Arc replacing Napoleon, Catherine the Great replacing Stalin).

Civ IV and V significantly expanded both the roster size and the definition of leadership. Revolutionaries, generals, reformists, and even consorts became common. Traditional figureheads were replaced or doubled (Wu Zetian replacing Mao, Victoria I and Elizabeth I representing England). The focus shifted from solely the powerful and famous to a broader representation of humanity.

Civ VI: Character, Diversity, and Creativity Flourish

Civilization VI saw a flourishing of characterization, diversity, and creativity. Leaders were presented as stylized animated caricatures. Leader Personas—alternative versions emphasizing different aspects of a leader's personality—offered diverse playstyles. Lesser-known figures from smaller civilizations joined the roster.

Lautaro (Mapuche), Bà Triệu (Vietnam), and Queen Gorgo (Sparta) are notable examples. Leaders were no longer defined by their entire legacies but by specific chapters of their lives, foreshadowing Civ VII's approach. Multiple leader options for civilizations became common (America: Lincoln or Roosevelt; China: Qin Shi Huang, Wu Zetian, or Yongle). Leader Personas added further diversity (Catherine de Medici, Theodore Roosevelt, Harald Hardrada, Suleiman, and Victoria).

Civ VII: Fresh Faces and Unique Leaders

Civilization VII represents the culmination of Firaxis's evolving leader selection philosophy. It boasts the most diverse and creative roster yet, featuring unconventional leaders, multiple personas, and carefully curated choices for diverse playstyles.

The mix-and-match approach to civilizations and leaders allows lesser-known figures to take center stage. Harriet Tubman's inclusion as an American abolitionist leader, filling a spymaster role, is a prime example. Niccolò Machiavelli, known for his diplomatic writings, also stands out as a unique leader choice. José Rizal of the Philippines represents another notable addition.

Over nearly 30 years, Civilization has evolved from a game about superpowers to a diverse and imaginative representation of humanity. The definition of leadership has dramatically changed, but the significance of these leaders remains powerful.

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