ESRB seems to have leaked two more leaders for Civilization 7 because they are sharp

Firaxis has been busy revealing Civilization 7's leaders and civilizations in recent weeks and will continue to do so in the coming months, but the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) appears to have nixed some surprises.

In its rating for Civilization 7, which is rated for ages 10 and up, the ESRB may have revealed the reveal of two additional leaders – Prussian King Frederick the Great and Russian Queen Catherine the Great.

“Friedrich maintained a place where he could express his sexuality – if not openly, then at least privately,” the ESRB quoted an in-game description. There is a general consensus among historians that Frederick the Great was homosexual. Apparently this was a pretty big taboo in Prussia at the time, so he couldn't live it out in public. Instead, old Fritz cultivated an inner circle around him that consisted entirely of men with excellent education, making him one of the prime examples of an enlightened absolutist ruler.

One of the few women Frederick had a positive opinion of was a German noblewoman: Russian Queen Catherine the Great – and she is likely the other leader leaked by the ESRB, although there is a bit more room for different interpretations here.

“Their internal rule was a strange set of sexual politics. She often appointed her lovers to high-ranking positions,” the review said. Some of Catherine's sexual escapades have been blown out of proportion by hostile sources and must be considered salacious legends at best. What is less controversial is that she actually favored her various lovers politically, sometimes playing them off against each other to secure her own position – which, as a queen of foreign origin, was always stubborn.

It's not a description that applies exclusively to her, but there is little doubt that Catherine is among the most reasonable guesses for her origin.

Since Civilization 7 decouples leaders from playable nations, it's not a given that Prussia and Russia will come into play – although there are currently enough free slots in the Exploration and Modern Ages sections to accommodate them.

It wouldn't be the first rodeo for either of the series' two leaders: Frederick led Germany in the first game of the series and Catherine has been Russia's leader twice before, for example in Civilization 5 – the header of the article shows her portrayal there.

For more information on the game, check out our Civilization 7 developer interview from Gamescom 2024.