Starting up Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 for the first time offers immediate insight into several changes and updates that distinguish it from its predecessors. Firaxis has taken bold steps by segmenting gameplay into three distinct eras, introducing army commanders to enhance warfare, and shaking up city-states and civilization diplomacy. These alterations, numbering in the countless, aim to invigorate the series. Among these updates, there is one change that perhaps feels overdue but has finally been implemented in Civilization 7.
In a shift that might surprise seasoned players, there is no longer a role for builders or workers to create map improvements. Instead, these developments naturally occur as a city grows in population. The removal of builders, a staple in the series for some time, represents Firaxis’s efforts to streamline gameplay, and it looks like a decision they won’t be reversing anytime soon.
Previously, before builders were even a concept in Civilization 6, players engaged workers to enhance their territories. These workers were essential for constructing roads and improving tiles, yet as the game progressed, players often relegated them to automated construction tasks, which could make them forgettable. Civilization 6 saw substantial changes to these units, now called builders, who were limited to a set number of charges before being dismissed, reflecting a shift in how players engaged with these roles.
Civilization 7 takes that evolutionary process further by altogether removing builders and workers. Cities now autonomously develop tile improvements in alignment with their growth, and roads spring up as cities expand or when merchants establish trade routes. This sweeping change means that mechanical functions previously tied to builders have been reallocated to other game dynamics.
Though some might miss the familiarity of managing builders, their absence feels like a natural progression. Firaxis seemed intent on reducing the in-game clicks necessary to reach the next turn, and without builders, players can allocate their resources elsewhere, such as advancing military strength or infrastructure. This approach fosters a more immersive experience in city development and strategy, ensuring players are drawn into the game’s fresh dynamics.
As Civilization 7 continues to evolve, particularly with upcoming DLCs, it will be interesting to observe whether players increasingly feel the lack of builders or embrace the game’s robust new mechanics. At present, however, the absence of builders goes largely unnoticed amidst the plethora of new engaging content. Life in Civilization 7, it seems, is moving forward just fine without them.
