Civilization 7 is set to revive an enjoyable feature from its previous iterations, aiming to simplify the exploration of its game maps. The upcoming update, version 1.2.3, is anticipated in about a week and will also focus on enhancing the transitions through the different Ages within the game.

After more than eight years since the debut of Civilization VI, Civilization VII launched on February 11, 2025, recently gaining fresh traction as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. Unfortunately, the game’s release encountered several challenges, including a limited customization system, a perplexing user interface, and the absence of several features that were standard in earlier installments of the franchise.

A significant welcome back to fans is the auto-explore function. This mechanic enables players to command scouts and other eligible units to autonomously navigate unexplored areas of the map, pausing only upon discovering valuable resources or the peripheries of other civilizations unwilling to permit safe transit. This should alleviate the repetitiveness of early explorations and expedite key game progression phases, like setting up new cities and identifying enemy positions.

Moreover, enhancements will be applied to how players transition between Ages in Civilization VII. The game features only three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, which is fewer compared to earlier versions. These transitions can significantly alter gameplay, thus developers aim to introduce a 10-turn countdown timer, affording players a short window to finalize objectives before changes are implemented. Such modifications, alongside updates to interactions among world leaders, strive to improve the overall player experience. Further details will emerge once the update is live.