Every five or six years there's a new Sid Meier's Civilization. It's not clockwork, but since 1991, we've been able to chart the world's progress (or regression) using Civilization as a mile marker. So, two things: 1) the turn-based Civilization strategy series has now been around for 25 years, and 2) developer Firaxis announced Civilization VI coming to PC on October 21.
This official announcement trailer doesn't show any gameplay, but millions of gamers already know the deal. Expand your empire, advance your culture, and have your leader—like some freaky history-book-loving vampire—live from the Stone Age to the Information Age. And whoop on that warmongering Gandhi whenever you get a chance. That jerk.
Each city will now span multiple tiles. And support units can now be embedded with other units (i.e. anti-tank support with infantry, or warriors with settlers). There are new tutorials to ease in new players. Because every Civ is somebody's first Civ.
Oh, and because it'll be an inevitable talking point, when they show the "Liberty Leading the People" painting at the 0:45 mark, Firaxis blurred her breasts (and some guy's pubes) a little bit. But it's okay, America, they didn't blur out the guns and piles of corpses in this classic painting. Our sensibilities are safe!
I like this release date, though. Civilization VI comes out on October 21, less than six months away. Read our Civ V review (Gaming Nexus score 9.5 out of 10) to see the exquisite legacy Civ VI is building upon.
2K Announces Sid Meier's Civilization VI Launching October 21, 2016
Latest installment in the multi award-winning Civilization franchise offers thrilling new ways to build an empire to stand the test of time
New York, NY — May 11, 2016 — 2K and Firaxis Games are excited to celebrate the 25th 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 is not yet rated by the ESRB, is available for pre-order now on Windows PC, and will be released worldwide on October 21, 2016 for $59.99/£49.99/??59.99. 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.
