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Civilization 5 paid DLC adds Spanish, Incan nations and new scenario
The "Double Civilization and Scenario Pack" is the second DLC bundle for Civilization 5, adding two civilizations and a "New World" scenario that takes place in 1492. The additional civs have Queen Isabella repping for Spain and Pachacuti being the go-to negotiator for the Incan Empire. The pack will hit the interwebs on December 16 for $7.49 on PC and Mac. The "Cradle of Civilization" DLC pack, which was a pre-order bonus, was released earlier this month for $10. All this DLC nickel and dime talk may be distressing, but a major, free patch should be available before the next bit of paid DLC goes live. %Gallery-110229%
Civ IV theme nominated for Grammy, first game music ever nominated
The slow-to-adapt music industry has finally caught on that Christopher Tin's "Baba Yetu," an amazing piece composed for Civilization IV, is worthy of a Grammy nomination. The song was originally created for the 2005 game, but has since made the pro choir circuit over the years, and has also become a staple of Video Games Live. The track, which is nominated in the "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists" category, is from the composer's debut album, Calling All Dawns. Video Games Live Executive Producer Tommy Tallarico tells Joystiq that this is the first time a song made for a video game has been nominated for a Grammy award. He explained, "We've worked very hard through the Game Audio Network Guild for the past decade to gain game composers the ability to be nominated for a Grammy and to get the recognition they deserve. ... We've always been very honored to work together with our good friend Christopher Tin to bring this wonderful song to the world. As video games start to evolve more into our culture and become a bigger part of mainstream society, we're hoping to see a lot more of this kind of thing happening in the future." The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 13, 2011. Best of luck to Tin on grabbing the Grammy: he'll win an award and hold a record that will stand the test of time.
Civ 5 'Cradle of Civilization' DLC maps available on Steam
Does your copy of Civ 5 need just a tad more civilization up in it? Perhaps you'd just like to visit your own brand of global domination on your real-life hometown of Duluth, Minnesota? Whatever your motivation, you can now add the Americas, along with Asia, Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, to your stomping grounds with the "Cradle of Civilization" map pack, now available on Steam. The four new maps can be added for $2.99 apiece or as a single bundle for $9.99 to the PC version of the game. Or, you could hold off and finish your campaign to conquer the entirety of Greece. Sorry, Napoleon -- no dessert until you finish your supper, young man.
Civilization Network for Facebook still in production, arrives 2011
Take-Two Interactive's first "social network game," Civilization Network, will arrive on Facebook in 2011. The release window was confirmed by Take-Two's soon-to-be CEO (currently the company's Executive Chairman) Strauss Zelnick during today's BMO Capital Markets digital conference. As for a glimpse of what Civ addicts are in for, Zelnick stated that we should see the product "relatively soon." Civilization Network's production has been quiet for quite some time, with no update to the game's Facebook page -- you know, the platform the thing is going to be on -- since May. When we contacted 2K Games about a status update last month, we were told the game was still in development and that there would be "more details to come in the future." So, apparently, the future is kinda now.
Civilization 5 patch released, global dominance made that much easier
The big, sweeping changes outlined in last week's Civilization 5 patch announcement were implemented earlier today. If a few unsightly code blemishes were standing between you and total multinational ascendancy, you should look into grabbing the patch. Check out the changes below!
Civilization 5 brings diplomacy to Mac this holiday
Guys, can you believe it? Mac is, like, totally a gaming platform now! We never thought we'd say that but with support from Valve, Blizzard and the likes of PopCap, it's gotta be an exciting time for Mac-owning gaming enthusiasts. And joining the platform is the sensation dominating your nation, Civilization 5. Aspyr has announced that it'll publish the 2K Games/Firaxis sequel on Apple's computer platform "this holiday season." Sorry, no exact launch date for the port beyond that. Oh, and sorry-er, but the press release doesn't mention the first DLC pack, which is set to launch on PC later this month. We've sent a caravan bearing goods and questions to Aspyr and 2K Games and will let you know what we hear back.
Civilization 5 welcomes Mongols and Babylonians as DLC
Sid Meier's Civilization 5 is set to expand later this month with two new downloadable packs. The turn-based strategy game will toss you into a hexagon with Genghis Khan in the "Mongols Civilization and Scenario Pack," which sees you unfurling his Asian empire across the globe. The pack is due on October 25th and comes, according to 2K Games, as a free "gift to the legions of Civ fanatics." (Don't mess with them, they're really well organized.) If you'd also like to ally yourself with Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar II, you'll want to download the "Babylonian Civilization Pack," due on October 25th for $4.99 (unless you already received it in the game's Digital Deluxe Edition). It even comes with a bit of a turn-based tongue twister: Babylonian Bowmen. Try saying it three times: "Believe Blue Babylonian Bowman Bellow!" %Gallery-105311% Show full PR text Sid Meier's Civilization® VContinues to Conquer the World with New Add-On Content Babylonian and Mongols Civilization and Scenario Packs challenge Civ fans to dominate and expand across new empires New York, NY – October 18, 2010 – 2K Games today announced that new downloadable add-on content for the award-winning Sid Meier's Civilization® V PC game will be available on October 25, 2010 via its digital distribution partners. As a gift to the legions of Civ fanatics, players will be able to download the new Mongols Civilization and Scenario Pack* for free; and for the first time ever, purchase the Babylonian Civilization Pack* for $4.99 – which was previously available exclusively as part of the Sid Meier's Civilization V Digital Deluxe Edition. The Mongols Civilization and Scenario Pack calls for the strongest leaders to ride with Genghis Khan and his Mongol horsemen to establish the largest continuous land empire ever seen. Rulers lead their civilization from humble beginnings on the steppes of Asia, until all under heaven tremble at the might of the nation. Players can continue expanding their conquests with the Babylonian Civilization Pack as the Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 630 – c. 561 B.C.). As King of Babylon, gamers will be able to expand their empire with advanced Babylonian Bowmen to rightfully earn the title of Nebuchadnezzar the Great. Sid Meier's Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagon tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire. The brand new engine delivers a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ experience than ever. Wars between empires feel massive, as armies dominate the landscape and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before, including an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements. Sid Meier's Civilization V is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is available on the PC. For more information, please visit www.civilization5.com. 2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). * Requires a copy ofSid Meier's Civilization V to play.
Civilization 5 patch notes released, no ETA for update
2K Games has revealed quite a big list of fixes coming to Firaxis' stellar Civilization 5. The rather large update addresses several of the most common complaints, like those pesky game-crashing bugs, but goes deeper to fix other issues involving the AI, UI and gameplay. The patch notes, which we've listed after the break, do not represent everything that's in the update. According to 2K, it's just what the developers have been working on for the "past couple weeks." There is currently no estimated time of arrival for the update, so there could still be plenty of more things addressed -- we certainly like what we see so far.
Civilization 5 review: A funny thing happened on the way to the forum
Civilzation 5 is the love child of a clandestine tryst between Civilization 4 and Civilization Revolution. It is a game that shares genetic markers of both the PC and console iterations of the franchise, luckily receiving the best elements of both -- with a couple good mutations. Civ 5 has the grand, epic feel we expect from the series on PC, but so much of it has been streamlined for the better that Revolution's influence is undeniable. I'm going to try something different in this review. Civilization has been around for almost two decades and the most divisive moment in the franchise's history was the creation of the console-based Civilization Revolution. With that in mind, I'm going to divide this review into three parts, with sections for [1] Civilization PC veterans; [2] those who enjoyed Civilization Revolution; and [3] "the uninitiated." Read all three perspectives and find out if this latest Civ unites the tribes. %Gallery-98863%
Civilization 5's epic 13-minute gameplay walkthrough video
With Civilization 5's demo launching the same day as the game on September 21, it seems the best way to find out what you're in for with the latest installment is by checking out the 13-minute gameplay video after the break. We'll also have our review of the game up tomorrow and the video is a good primer for some of the big changes found in the latest iteration in the classic franchise.
Civilization 5 demo releasing same day as game, September 21
Though Firaxis had previously promised that the demo for its upcoming strategy blockbuster, Civilization 5, would arrive before the full title's release on September 21, an update on the game's official site has announced that the demo will actually be available on the very same day as the game. Firaxis apologized for the demo's delay in the aforementioned announcement, explaining, "at the time of that announcement, we expected to be able to get the demo out before the 21st, but unfortunately we weren't able to finalize it in the timeframe we had initially planned, and for that we're very sorry." Hey, don't beat yourself up about it, Firaxis. At least we'll still be able to play the demo before deciding whether or not to purchase the full game. Only, now, we'll be extremely bitter while we do so.
Seen @ Gamescom: Napoleon, Caesar debate Civ 5 tactics
Watching two of the world's greatest leaders debating politics and strategy for Civilization 5 was a highlight of Gamescom. 2K Games went all out and created clones of Napoleon Bonaparte and Augustus Caesar to check out the game and QA test some strategy. We're sure the duo's feedback to the dev team will be invaluable leading up to the game's September 21 launch -- we just hope they're not listening to Napoleon's "100 days" plan. We already know how that ends, folks.%Gallery-98863%
Civilization 5 system requirements revealed
Firaxis has passed along the system requirements for its upcoming game, Civilization 5. Here's the good news: you won't need a Crysis-level PC to assert your dominion over others. Bad news? It's not September 21 yet.
Preview: Civilization 5 in under an hour
I spent about 45 minutes playing Civilization 5 at a press event in late June. Anyone who's played a Civilization title should immediately recognize that 45 minutes isn't enough time to conquer diddly. If Civ is anything it's time intensive, and its entries require numerous hours of experimentation before their subtle nuances become apparent. I broke up my preview into two parts: spending about half an hour building up Caesar and company from the "Dawn of Man" scenario and the rest of the time playing as a highly advanced version of the same empire. Where to begin? Oh, right: It's Civilization. It plays like Civilization. That's a glowing compliment for most games, but I found myself questioning whether Civ 5 was deserving of the bold new number: How's it so different from Civ 4? "There's always ideas you can bring back to that deep strategy setting on the PC, and I really don't think it's marketing speak to say, 'There's always something new that you want to try,'" Firaxis marketing associate Pete Murray offered. "There's always something you can take to that fundamental formula and change it, and say, 'Okay, what can we do that's new and exciting with combat? What can we do that's new and exciting with culture? Diplomacy?'" While I generally agree that there's always room for improvement and innovation when iterating, my short time with Civilization 5 left me with the initial impression that this game hasn't changed that much.%Gallery-98863%
Civilization 5 public demo coming in September
Oh, so you think you're heading off into space for some distant world in September? Nope, you've got more pressing matters here at home. A public demo for Civilization 5 has been confirmed for September, "before the full game is released." The missive can be found over on the game's official site, which promises more details on the exact nature of the demo and when rowdy road-builders can get their cultivation on, "coming soon." We'll be sure to update you all when we hear something, but in the meanwhile, you can get back to filling the coffers for that special edition you've had your eye on.
Civilization 5 Special Edition includes miniatures, soundtrack, art book
In addition to the standard retail version, Civilization 5 will be offered in a special edition box to better stand the test of time. The bundle includes: five metal figurines based on in-game units, a two-disc CD soundtrack, the "Behind the Scenes at Firaxis on Civilization V" DVD and a 176-page hardcover art book. The special edition will build its first city in the the UK on September 24 for £60. (We've sent a messenger pigeon to 2K Games for confirmation of a North American release and price.) Our recent preview of Civ 5 left us feeling good about the sequel's prospects. Yeah ... like, "just one more turn" good. We should probably go to a meeting. Update: 2K Games confirmed to Joystiq the special edition will settle in North America on September 21 for $99.99. %Gallery-95796%
'Approximately 20' Firaxis employees laid off
Just a little over two months before Civilization 5 lands in the anticipatory hands of strategy fiends worldwide, "approximately 20" positions have been terminated at Firaxis, 2K Games PR Director Markus Wilding confirmed to Kotaku today. Wilding explained that "Firaxis has realigned its development resources in order to streamline its development process, reduce costs and maximize the overall performance the studio." Wilding added that the layoffs "will not impact Firaxis' ability" to get Civilization 5 out the door by September 21. We wish the displaced employees the best of luck in getting back on their feet.
Civilization 5 will convert Civ 4 maps automatically
Jon Shafer, a.k.a. "Trip," is a veteran Civilization modder and mapmaker -- he's made his name in the Civ community by posting his own mods and strategy guides on the forums for years. And oh yeah, he's also the lead designer of Civ V, which is probably one reason why user-created mods and maps will play such a big part in the official game. Players will be able to upload and share them with others directly in the game itself. The user-created catalog will even be populated with plenty of content right at launch, because Shafer tells Bitmob that "you can import Civ 4 maps into the world builder and convert them into Civ 5 maps, including all the units and cities and stuff on it -- the conversion process will just do that for you automatically." Presumably, the process will also translate the maps from squares to hexes, which means Shafer and everyone else's maps from the last Civ are just a conversion away from being playable in the new game. Which is good -- some Civ fans would have a tough time without their Middle Earth maps.
Civilization V trailer highlights new features
Trust us: Civilization V is no copy-paste of the previous iteration. It's made abundantly obvious in the trailer past the break, which highlights the fifth entry's overhauled engine, multiplayer features and modding support. This time around, players will be able to access advanced modding tools, Civilization fan sites and even fan-made scenarios, all from within the game. Ambitious stuff, to say the least. Civilization 5 builds a road to retail on September 21.
Preview: Civilization V
There's an email thread from 2K's public relations in my inbox with the subject: "So you want to touch Civ V, huh?" It's an ongoing joke I've got with the company -- how can you get a grasp of the latest entry in the epic Civilization franchise without actually touching it? Every hands-off demonstration we've seen of the game so far looks great, but touching Civ, spending eight hours with it, is the only way to get a real idea of the game players are in for. With that said, here's some of the stuff we saw in the latest hands-off presentation during E3 2010. Although the most diehard Civilization players refuse to acknowledge the console-based Civilization Revolution as a real entry in the franchise, Firaxis certainly took several lessons from the console game and quietly implemented them in Civ V. One such lesson is the user interface, designed by the same person who did Civ Rev's, that cuts or pushes everything it can to the sides of the screen, making the main screen the star, rather than a co-star to the menus. %Gallery-95796%
