Summary

  • Civilization 7, set to release in 2025, will bring new mechanics like the Crisis system and Age Transitions.
  • The game will feature local multiplayer functionality, a draw for fans of the series.
  • A PAX West panel on August 31 will delve into the design and inspiration behind Civ 7, with live gameplay to follow.

Civilization fans will have some big news coming at PAX West on August 31. Civilization 7 is the first new mainline title for the series in several years. The last main title, Civilization 6, was released all the way back in 2016. Civilization 7 is set to bring new mechanics and changes to the series that players can enjoy.

Civilization 7 was first revealed on June 7 at the Summer Game Fest event. The reveal trailer featured impressive visuals set to the classical sounds of an orchestra. Some fans have attributed the music to Christopher Chiyan Tin’s work, as the composer previously has been credited for other Civilization songs.

Firaxis, the development studio for the Civilization series, confirmed in a Reddit post on August 29 that a panel on Civilization 7 would be held later in the weekend. On August 31, at PAX West in Seattle, the development team will go live on the PAX Twitch channel to chat with Greg Miller of Kinda Funny Games on the design and inspiration of Civ 7. They will also show off live gameplay later in September, with further details to come. With its launch coming sometime in 2025, Civilization 7 is set to release on both consoles and PC simultaneously, which is a first for the franchise.

PAX West Panel with Firaxis Devs Set for August 31

Local multiplayer functionality for Civilization 7 was confirmed during a Nintendo Direct earlier in August. The franchise has historically had multiple entries that featured both local and online play, and the competitive side of the game has been a huge draw for fans of the series. Civilization is a heavily strategic game, making it work well in a multiplayer setting.

New mechanics are coming to Civilization with the Crisis system and Age Transitions in Civilization 7. At the end of every Age Transition, a player's civilization will change, and one civilization will become another, and then again in the next. Near the end of an age, players are forced to pick from a handful of crises that need to be dealt with as they transition into a new one. This method of the rise and fall of nations is unique to the series and brings a fresh style of gameplay to longtime fans of the franchise. Any Civ 7 leader can be paired with any civilization, which is a huge change for the series. The game will recommend some combinations itself, but players will be able to find new metas across all pairings.

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Sid Meier's Civilization VII Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Sid Meier's Civilization VII
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Grand Strategy
Turn-Based Strategy
4X
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
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Released
February 11, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
Developer(s)
Firaxis Games
Publisher(s)
2K
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization® VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!

In Civilization VII, your strategic decisions shape the unique cultural lineage of your evolving empire. Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history and steer the course of your story by choosing a new civilization to represent your empire in each Age of human advancement.

Construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, improve your civilization with technological breakthroughs, and conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations as you explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Pursue prosperity in an immersive solo experience or play with others in online multiplayer.

Whether you choose to follow a path rooted in history or reimagine possibilities to chart your own way forward, build something you believe in and create a legacy that echoes through the Ages in Civilization VII.

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Franchise
Sid Meier's Civilization
Genre(s)
Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X