What are the strategy experts at Firaxis working on? A job posting provides clues that are only obvious at first glance.
The developer studio Firaxis, founded by Sid Meier, is nowadays mainly known for two titles: Civilization and XCOM. One can therefore acknowledge without envy that they are primarily experts in the field of turn-based strategy.
But with both games, fans have been waiting for five years now for the announcement of the next big successor. After all, those who like XCOM only got an acceptable spin-off in 2020 with Chimera Squad.
Now a job advertisement provides new clues as to what the developers are currently working on and that development is progressing. Many things seem to point to Civilization 7. But in this case it is not quite so simple. We take a closer look at the job requirements.
This speaks for Civilization 7
At first glance, it seems most likely that the person we’re looking for will be working on a new Civilization. After all, Civilization 6 has probably reached its conclusion with the recent release of the Anthology Edition. And that there will be a successor also seems clear.
Many of the requirements also seem to fit well with Civilization. After all, the person is being sought for a triple-A strategy game. The clearest clue, however, is probably a later requirement. Even if it belongs to the “non-mandatory” ones. Here it is said that “background knowledge of and a passion for world history” would be helpful.
There is no explicit mention of turn-based strategy. Yet Civ in particular is a series that contributes to the boom of this genre.
That speaks for something else
Somewhat less clear are requirements that are mainly related to the story of the game. In the job advertisement, the following requirements are made of applicants.
– Loves stories and wants to find new ways of making storytelling work in the strategy genre
– Is good at writing and creating great dialogue, extended story text and background info on the world.
– Is skilled at writing cinematics and telling a visual story.
These are all things we don’t immediately associate with Civilization and sound more like XCOM. Background info or “lore” as it’s called in the original sounds less like a historical and more like a fictional world. Besides, Civ was never particularly known for its story.
This is quite different in XCOM, where there is definitely a cinematic or two to be seen. In Civ there is actually nothing like that. In XCOM, again, the reference to world history would be irritating.
There is still the potential possibility that the developers are experimenting a little with the Civ formula and want to incorporate more storylines into the global strategy game. Something similar to what competitors Old World and Humankind are also trying to do. Old World in particular has already done this brilliantly.
Why not a completely new game?
In recent weeks and months, it has been leaked frequently that Firaxis is currently working on several games. Among them, however, is said to be a completely new game. According to an unconfirmed leak, this is supposed to be an XCOM with characters from the Marvel universe. It should be said that the same leaker correctly predicted the announcement of Tiny Tina’s Wonderland before E3.
Currently, it is believed that 2K will announce the game at gamescom 2021. However, Karl Slatoff, president of parent company Take-Two, spoke of this new game being released before 31 March 2022. The job posting, however, is looking for a story writer in a leadership position to help “create an immersive world.” Such a position is not usually filled less than a year before planned release.
In addition, the person sought should work with a franchise producer. This would rather suggest that this is a new part in an established franchise.
What do you think? Do you think Civilization 7 or XCOM 3 are more likely – or do you believe in a completely different title? Let us know in the comments
