Civilization VII Reveals New Playable Leader: Jose Rizal!
It looks like Jose Rizal is joining the empire-building Civilization VII game! Here’s why we know kids, and maybe we will even want to play!
Many millennials and gamer parents probably grew up with the Civilization video game series. Unlike the typical video games, Civilizations (or “Civ” for short) was all about empire-building. Managing an economy, growing an army, defending the empire — it was a game that many gamers and even some adults will admit have taught them “resource management and allocation.” So when Civilization VII, the most recent installment, dropped the news of having Jose Rizal as a leader, many of us were ecstatic! Here’s why:
How the Civilization game grew in the Philippines
A lot of Filipinos will recall their days in an internet café building an empire in the Civilization game series through a saved file that they probably stashed away in a floppy disk, memory card, or even a USB. Sometimes, they would even become friends with the internet café’s staff to preserve their files. Some will even remember eating the usual power meal while playing — a plate with a red hotdog, sunny-side-up egg, plain rice, and drizzled with ketchup.
But the most important part is — it’s one of the few games that even traditional parents were okay with their kids playing as it was a balance of both educational and fun.
The beloved sandbox game then began to expand as Pinoys learned how to “code” and “modify” the game. Jose Rizal was one of those initial modifications wherein the original game didn’t have it and players would have to download a certain file to make him available. But now that he’s been officially added to the game, it’s a dream come true for some of the Filipino gamers — among them may be our kids and us.
It’s been thirteen hours since the official channel, Sid Meier’s Civilization, posted the video and the community has been more than supportive. The game, not only has the famed national hero speaking Tagalog but, also brings bits of Filipino culture with him.
When can the kids play Civilization VII with Jose Rizal?
According to the YouTube channel’s trailer and first look video, the game is still in the pre-order phase as its scheduled release date is on February 11, 2025.
Although parents may be a little wary about adding another game to the kids’ library for screen time, we’d encourage this one. Unlike the games usually marketed to kids, the colors of Civilization VII are less sharp and the effects are more realistic which can make the dopamine rush a lot less. Plus, the game does have some time-gated activities that will force the kids to leave the screen for a while. Most of all, it’s a fun way for them to learn history. Museums may be fun but to actually participate — even if it’s simulated — in a history where empires existed will probably be more appealing to the kids.
To get a good look at what we’re talking about, check out the trailer here:
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