In an intriguing experiment, a YouTuber named Drongo explored the extreme potential of stacking bonuses in the upcoming Civilization 7. This new version of the iconic strategy game allows players to combine different leaders and civilizations, unlocking unprecedented optimization opportunities. During a preview session, Drongo pushed the game's mechanics to their limits, ultimately causing the system to malfunction. The video showcases how excessive bonus stacking can lead to unexpected results, revealing both the depth and complexity of Civilization 7's gameplay.

Drongo chose Confucius as the leader for the Khmer civilization, focusing on maximizing food production and city growth. By leveraging unique abilities and improvements specific to this combination, Drongo was able to stack an impressive array of bonuses that significantly boosted his cities' productivity. For instance, Confucius offered a 25% increase in city growth rates, while the Khmer Empire's special trait ensured that urban districts did not reduce natural yields, allowing for efficient city expansion without sacrificing resources.

The Khmer Baray improvement further enhanced food production across floodplains within settlements, and the Chakravarti Civic accelerated growth specifically in the capital. Additionally, Drongo selected several leader attributes that increased both growth rates and food output. As a result, by turn 76, Drongo's cities were generating an astounding 263.5 food per turn, far surpassing typical production levels seen in other games.

However, this aggressive optimization strategy eventually overwhelmed the game's engine. At turn 98, Drongo noticed that his capital had ceased growing, with the game requesting -1112 food to produce a new citizen—a nonsensical value that indicates a critical bug. This peculiar outcome suggests that the game struggled to handle such extreme levels of resource abundance, leading to unexpected behavior. While Firaxis, the developers behind Civilization 7, are expected to address this issue before the game's official release on February 11, it highlights the intricate balance required in designing complex simulation games.

Drongo's experiment demonstrates the vast potential for creative play in Civilization 7, especially for players who enjoy deep optimization and strategic planning. While some may prefer to focus on aesthetic achievements like building grand structures, others will undoubtedly dive into the mechanics to push the boundaries of what's possible. Ultimately, this showcases the versatility and depth of the new game, inviting players to explore different strategies and discover new ways to dominate the world of Civilization.