Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is poised to deliver a significantly enhanced console-friendly experience compared to its predecessor, thanks to Firaxis and 2K Games’ emphasis on seamless gamepad control. This focus bodes well for the game’s performance on handheld PC gaming devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion GO. The recently revealed PC requirements for the native Linux version further solidify this optimistic outlook, suggesting a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience on these platforms.
The minimum specifications for running Civilization VII on Linux call for an Intel i5-4690 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 graphics card. These requirements are designed to achieve 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second with low graphics settings. While the Windows version lists a slightly less demanding GTX 1050 as the minimum GPU, the Linux requirement for a GTX 1060 remains reasonable, especially considering the current trend of demanding hardware specifications for modern PC games. Notably, Civilization VII avoids incorporating hardware-level ray tracing, making it accessible to a wider range of players.
Despite the Steam Deck’s graphical capabilities being slightly below the listed minimum requirements (equivalent to a GTX 1050Ti or RX 570), its lower native resolution of 1280×800 compared to the desktop standard of 1920×1080 suggests that Civilization VII should run smoothly on the device. This optimism extends to the possibility of Steam Deck certification, further enhancing the portability of this highly anticipated strategy title.
The specified operating system requirement of Ubuntu 22.04 should not be interpreted as a strict limitation. Rather, it indicates the need for a Linux distribution with updated software libraries to ensure a stable gaming experience on Steam. Other contemporary Linux distributions like Fedora, Zorin OS, Bazzite, and Mint, running on a modern kernel, should also be capable of running Civilization VII without issues.
The decision to develop a native Linux version of Civilization VII, following the precedent set by Civilization VI, is a commendable move by Firaxis, particularly in light of the advancements in Valve’s Proton compatibility layer. This layer allows many Windows games to run seamlessly on Linux and SteamOS. While Proton has significantly improved Linux gaming compatibility, it isn’t without its shortcomings. Game updates can occasionally disrupt the delicate balance of compatibility, leading to performance degradation or even complete game crashes.
A dedicated Linux version eliminates the uncertainties associated with Proton compatibility, placing the developer in direct control of the gaming experience. This approach ensures optimal performance and eliminates the guesswork involved in selecting the appropriate Proton version. In an era of growing Linux gaming adoption, this dedication to providing a native version reflects positively on Firaxis and sets a positive example for other game developers.
The availability of a native Linux version, alongside the MacOS version for Apple Silicon Macs, demonstrates Firaxis’ commitment to supporting a broader range of platforms. While Proton’s advancements have made native ports less critical than they were in 2018, when Civilization VI was released, the dedication to Linux users remains a valuable gesture of goodwill. This approach mirrors the commendable long-term support provided by Hello Games for No Man’s Sky, demonstrating a commitment to players beyond the initial launch. With Civilization VII’s release date set for February 11, 2025, anticipation builds for performance comparisons between the native Linux version and the Proton-enabled version, further illuminating the benefits of this dual approach.
