Announced in June and with the promise of telling us in depth what the new Civilization was about, today during the Gamescom Opening Night live and a subsequent stream on the official YouTube channel, we have learned firsthand the news of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII and its release date has been confirmed.
On February 11, 2025 we will see the game in Windows, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One y Xbox Series X|SThis new chapter in the classic turn-based strategy game promises to take the empire-building experience to a whole new level, with significant structural changes and new mechanics focused on making sense of some of the criticisms the game has always had and, above all, making sense of having a civilization over time.
Although Gamescom featured a general trailer presented by Sid Meiers himself, in the subsequent broadcast we were able to learn about the big news from the Firaxis team in Baltimore. In this Ed Beach, creative director of Firaxis Gamescommented that this game seeks to be the definitive experience in historical strategy games, and Dennis Shirkexecutive producer, stressed that it is the Civilization most ambitious to date, with long-term support plans. Here we describe the “big” ambitions of this team:
New eras and crisis events
In Civilization VIIthe game structure has been reorganized into three main eras: Antigua Exploration y Modern. Each of these eras, say its developers, offers a deep and prolonged gaming experience. The Antiquity and Exploration eras culminate in events of Crisiswhich are basically negative effects that we must deal with in order to advance with the civilization. By completing it, we will not only be able to advance to the new era, but also select a new civilization from this new era. Not all civilizations will evolve in all eras.
Introduction of villages and changes in cities
Civilization VII introduces a key change to settlement management. Instead of founding cities directly, settlers now establish puebloswhich can later become cities as a civilization develops.
Characteristics of the villages:
- Direct production in Gold: Villages convert Production directly into Gold, which is used to purchase units and buildings.
- Specialization of peoples: Towns can adopt permanent specializations, such as farming towns, mining towns, military forts, or trading posts.
- Conversion to cities: Towns can be converted into cities by spending Gold, although the cost increases with the number of existing cities.
Changes in cities:
- Manual expansion: Cities no longer expand automatically; players must select adjacent tiles to help expand them.
- Elimination of workers: Improvements such as farms and mines are automatically added to tiles.
- Redistricting: Town tiles now allow construction of any combination of buildings without predefined district types.
- Warehouse buildings: Some buildings, such as barns, now function differently, providing bonuses based on adjacent upgrades.
Leaders, units, commanders and fortifications
It must be clear that the Civilization Leaders are no longer tied to any one, so they will be independent of a civilization as such, giving more variety to the ones we build. Likewise, these leaders are not necessarily military and can simply be historical figures, as Benjamin Franklin was presented as an example.
As for military units, Civilization VII introduces the concept of CommandersThese are special units that can gain experience and receive promotions, differentiating themselves from standard units.
Other new features and changes in mechanics:
- Fortifications: Units may build temporary fortifications when ordered to fortify.
- Explorers: Explorers can build temporary watchtowers to increase their vision.
- Crossing the water: Units can embark in shallow water by default.
- DLC: There will be several DLCs, for now we only know about Right to Rule Collection
New influence and diplomacy mechanics
The influence It is a new resource in Civilization VII which will be used depending on whether positive or negative actions are performed. In the first case, it will be used to gain the loyalty of city-states, form military pacts, and make diplomatic agreements. In the case of negative actions, these will be used to sanction rival civilizations or infiltrate their armies.
Likewise, influence can be spent to prevent relations with other leaders from deteriorating. Although most of these actions were in CIV VI, the truth is that they have been quantified here.
Other confirmed news
Civilization VII includes a number of additional features that will enrich the gaming experience.
- Navigable rivers: It is now possible to navigate rivers, facilitating transportation and territorial expansion.
- Narrative events: Special situations, certain moments where decisions must be made, such as situations with art. In the case of Colombia, I think of Llorente’s vase and what to do with it.
- Independent powers: Barbarians have been replaced by independent powers, which can be hostile or neutral, and whose camps can become city-states.
- Multiplayer with Support for 4-8 players: Depending on the platform and era, it will also have crossplay o Cross-play between supported platforms.
- Although it was already known, it is confirmed that the game will not require, in the case of PC, the 2K Launcher to start it.
Different versions and Editions specials
Additionally, several editions of the game were confirmed:
Standard Edition
- Precio: $59.99 (Nintendo Switch) / $69.99 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Linux)
- Includes the base game.
- Backwards compatible with Xbox and PS5/PS4 on digital console releases.
- Purchasers of the PS5 physical edition will not receive a PS4 copy (this version is digital-only).
- Pre-order bonus: Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack.
Deluxe Edition
- Precio: $89.99 (Nintendo Switch) / $99.99 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Linux)
- Includes all content of the Standard Edition.
- Early Access to the game from February 6, 2025.
- Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack.
- DLC Crossroads of the World Collection.
- Deluxe Content Pack.
Founders Edition (limited time digital edition)
- Precio: $119.99 (Nintendo Switch) / $129.99 (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac, Linux)
- Includes all content from the Deluxe Edition.
- Right to Rule Collection (Post-launch DLC).
- Founders Content Pack.
- It will only be available for sale until February 28, 2025.
Fuente: 2K Press Release
Via: Gamescom Opening Night Live y Stream Canal Oficial de Civilization
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