Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Coming October

Civilization IV ruined our schedules, Civilization V destroyed our free time, and now Civilization VI is coming out on October 21st to do it to us all again.

The series staples of hex based 4X gameplay, turn based strategy, and sessions that last whole days are returning of course, but Firaxis is making plenty of changes as well. Most of the changes are around convenience like a multiplayer game mode that you can actually finish in a single session and the return of stacking multiple units onto a single tile. But more dynamic changes like cities actively expanding to take up multiple tiles and use local terrain are being included too.

The most obvious difference is the look of the game though which seems to be cartoonier than ever before. From the in-game screenshots we’ve been shown, everything looks so much brighter or more vibrant especially when compared to Civ IV’s washed out greens and greys. Terrain, units, and buildings all look more like a mobile game you might find on your mother’s tablet than on a gamer’s PC, but the sheer scope of the game still looks absolutely massive.

Firaxis has promised to put in a few more tutorials this time around for those understandably hesitant to spend dozens of hours just to understand the base game but still have the options for veteran players to tweak their games.

There’s no word on the playable Civilizations, researchable sciences, buildable wonders, or new terrain types, but the trailer shows a good collection of architecture from around the world as well as Gandhi’s face and Teddy Roosevelt’s portrait, so there’s plenty of material to make theories off of.

Expectations are high after a 6-year gap between Civ V and Civ VI, but Firaxis has been the leaders in turn-based strategy since Civ IV 11 years ago and has been consistently impressive. Beyond Earth lacked some much needed innovation from the mainline Civilization series, but if the new aesthetic is any indication it looks like that’s not going to be a problem in the latest instalment.

Official Press Release

New York, NY – May 11, 2016 – 2K and Firaxis Games are excited to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Civilization series by announcing that Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, the next entry in the award-winning turn-based strategy franchise, is currently in development for PC. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI will offer players new ways to interact with their world, expand their empire across the map, advance their culture, and compete against history’s greatest leaders to build a civilization to stand the test of time.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization games hold a reputation for defining the 4X gaming genre for the past 25 years,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the silver anniversary of our longest-running franchise than launching the eagerly anticipated Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, which will provide the most detailed, beautiful and complete experience ever featured in a Civilization game.”

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI sets another milestone in the Civilization franchise, which has sold-in over 34 million units worldwide and changed the gaming landscape by bringing the strategy genre to unparalleled heights. In Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, cities will physically expand across the map to create new, deep strategic layers, active research in technology and culture will unlock new potential ways to play; and the large variety of leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical character traits as players race to achieve victory however they choose to play.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization VI builds on the firm foundation of the Civilization franchise, and we’ve added many exciting new elements,” said Ed Beach, lead designer at Firaxis Games. “The visual presentation of the game is inspired by the maps and tools of the Age of Exploration, and we’ve made several key gameplay changes such as expansive cities and active research that makes Sid Meier’s Civilization VI an entirely unique experience while remaining true to what makes the Civilization series so special.”

Key features of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI include:

EXPANSIVE EMPIRES: See the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each city spans multiple tiles so you can custom build your cities to take full advantage of the local terrain;
ACTIVE RESEARCH: Unlock boosts that speed your civilization’s progress through history. To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures;
DYNAMIC DIPLOMACY: Interactions with other civilizations change over the course of the game, from primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations;
COMBINED ARMS: Expanding on the “one unit per tile” design, support units can now be embedded with other units, like anti-tank support with infantry, or a warrior with settlers. Similar units can also be combined to form powerful “Corps” units;
ENHANCED MULTIPLAYER: In addition to traditional multiplayer modes, cooperate and compete with your friends in a wide variety of situations all designed to be easily completed in a single session;
A CIV FOR ALL PLAYERS: Civilization VI provides veteran players new ways to build and tune their civilization for the greatest chance of success. New tutorial systems are designed to introduce new players to the underlying concepts of Civilization so they can easily get started on a path to victory .

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, provisionally rated PEGI 12, is available for pre-order now on Windows PC, and will be released worldwide on October 21, 2016 for £49.99. Expand your empire further with the Civilization VI Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes the full base game, the 25th Anniversary Digital Soundtrack, and access to four post-launch DLC packs that will add new maps, scenarios, civilizations and leaders for a bundled discount.

Come see Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI at 2K’s E3 booth, # 1601, South Hall.

For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI, visit www.civilization.com , become a fan on Facebook, follow Civilization on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe on YouTube.