Sid Meier's Civilization V announced

[Big Fo]

2K Games has announced Sid Meier's Civilization V for release on PC this autumn.

We popped over to Baltimore-based developer Firaxis recently to check on the game's progress and will have a full preview and interview to present in a few weeks.

In the meantime, you can check out the first Civilization V screenshots on Eurogamer now.

We can also reveal that Civ V (or "Civvy" if you like) puts you back in the role of a world leader, guiding one of 18 civilisations from the dawn of man to the space age, and that you will be doing war, diplomacy, research and reality TV in between. Most of those.

You will also pit your wits against some of the greatest and most notorious leaders of this or any age, although full details are still to be announced.

We do know, however, that City States will present a new diplomatic battleground, and that you will continue to manage relationships with other leaders by bribing them, trading and kicking their heads off.

When all else fails war will take place on "vast, realistic and diverse landscapes", and this time you will be able to fall back on ranged bombardment, too, loosing off rounds from behind the front lines.

Perhaps adopting from the BAFTA-winning successes of Civilization Revolution on consoles, the developer is also promising a more intuitive interface suitable for veterans and newcomers alike, with a range of "trusted advisors" to walk you through things if you get stuck.

Interestingly, Firaxis also mentions "new ways to play and win, new tools to manage and expand your civilisation, extensive modding capabilities, and intensely competitive multiplayer".

Modders and multiplayer fans will be able to take advantage of an in-game community hub for playing via internet or email, and for sharing scenarios, comparing scores and achievements and accessing fan-sites.

Unlike a lot of modern PC games, Civ V also promises LAN and hotseat multiplayer support, so you really can fill your boots.

Look out for more on Sid Meier's Civilization V in the next few weeks when we report on our Baltimore adventures. So that's Civ V, autumn 2010. Nobody tell Iain Banks.

Four screenshots posted at eurogamer.net

One big change from the screens is that the grid is now hex-based. I like that better than 1 diagonal move = 2 moves going across than down/up or vice versa.

Fall 2010 just got a whole lot more awesome, can't wait to hear more, Civilization is one of my two favorite game franchises.

[Crapshoot]

Yeah, I'd pretend I'm not going to buy it, but that's ridiculous - its a day 1 purchase.

[molson]

I'm still playing CIV IV all the time. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself if CIV V is actually better.

Hopefully they don't dumb it down.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Yeah, I'd pretend I'm not going to buy it, but that's ridiculous - its a day 1 purchase.

why?

i'm honestly curious - is there more info out there than just that short blurb and the pretty pictures? if so i want linkies!

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

why?

i'm honestly curious - is there more info out there than just that short blurb and the pretty pictures? if so i want linkies!

Because it's Civilization?

[Big Fo]

Looking on the Civ V website I saw "City States" mentioned in the features. I'm guessing these are independent one-city mini-civs that you can trade with, try and ally with, or conquer that aren't part of the 7/however many big Civs fighting to win the game. That sounds cool.

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Because it's Civilization?

All that needs to be said really.

[Pumpy Tudors]

i only buy if game have good AI

games must have AI

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Because it's Civilization?

fair enough. just was wondering if i was missing something

[PraetorianX]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Looking on the Civ V website I saw "City States" mentioned in the features. I'm guessing these are independent one-city mini-civs that you can trade with, try and ally with, or conquer that aren't part of the 7/however many big Civs fighting to win the game. That sounds cool.

I would probably hold off on buying Civ V until at least a Gold Edition comes out...but if it actually has that feature then it's a day one purchase.

No, a pre-order.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dear Lord. Just let me know the date and how much poorer I'll be. Sid Meier could crap in a can and charge $30 for it and I'd buy it.

[KWhit]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Sid Meier could crap in a can and charge $30 for it and I'd buy it.

That was called Railroads.

[ISiddiqui]

Hexagons? WTF?

[Alan T]

Civ 5? Ok I'll be taking off 2-3 months this fall from work it seems.

[chesapeake]

I've got mixed feelings on this. I still play Civ IV a fair amount. Has enough changed in the technological landscape that a new version is necessary? Have they come up with enough improvements to top the current iteration? Or is this just a trip to the money well?

[ISiddiqui]

Well it sure is far prettier...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by KWhit

That was called Railroads.

Bought it.

[Greyroofoo]

I'm going to start accruing vacation time.

[Pumpy Tudors]

i have not heard about the ai yet
i going to wait and see

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Because it's Civilization?

This.

[bronconick]

Sold. Where do I pay?

[Marc Vaughan]

Will be getting it - its Civ, nuff said - anything Sid does I get ..

[spleen1015]

I would rather have Alpha Centauri II, but I'm sure this will be great just like all of the others.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

i have not heard about the ai yet
i going to wait and see

jpumpymagic ftw

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I would rather have Alpha Centauri II, but I'm sure this will be great just like all of the others.

+1

Alpha Centauri is still my favorite Sid Meier game.

[path12]

Originally Posted by KWhit

That was called Railroads.

I liked Railroads. It's fun just for messing around.

[Jughead Spock]

Oh hell. And here I thought I was just starting to get a 'life' again.

[RainMaker]

Probably a first day purchase. But I wasn't real impressed with Revolution. I know that was for consoles and stripped down, but I just want to make sure they don't dumb it down for the masses. I haven't played Civ IV too much lately but do find myself occasionally booting it up when I'm bored.

[spleen1015]

The whole purpose of Revolutions was to make a console version. They're not going to dumb this one down.

[Chubby]

WOOT!

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Because it's Civilization?

That.

I still play Civ4 quite a lot, even ventured into some large custom scenarios.

[PilotMan]

I will not be buying it until they fix waivers. They better fix it this time.

[gstelmack]

I'm still waiting for Gettysburgh II.

[Draft Dodger]

yep, an automatic purchase for me. although I too am still playing the heck out of CivIV

[Ben E Lou]

Automatic first-day/pre-order/whatever here.

[molson]

I don't think I've ever had more fun in gaming than putting together and executing a coordinated, violent attack in CIV IV against a foe who is basically your equal, but is overwhelmed by the surprise factor and is gradually destroyed.

Just this morning, I launched a land invasion on three fronts, lobbed a bunch of nukes towards the middle of the enemy's land that I couldn't immediately conquer, setup carriers with fighters along enemy coastal regions and islands to quickly take out resources and production capability, and patrolled the waters between us with fleets of battleships to destroy any foreign transports that dared approach my land.....The Mayans have resisted gamely, they haven't capitulated yet, but it's just a matter of time.

I gotta go...

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I'm still waiting for Gettysburgh II.

+1
-h

[TargetPractice6]

I really like the look of the hexagon-based maps at first blush. Should make both landscapes and unit movement more natural. I'm interested to see how they affect combat as well.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Excellent news. My first reaction was: Wow. I can't believe they are releasing the next Civ so soon. Then I realized that CIV IV is almost 4 years old now. It just doesn't feel like it because I play it so often.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Excellent news. My first reaction was: Wow. I can't believe they are releasing the next Civ so soon. Then I realized that CIV IV is almost 4 years old now. It just doesn't feel like it because I play it so often.

It holds up very well. I'm just hoping and praying that Civ V doesn't go crazy on requirments. I don't want it to require a full upgrade to play this game. I love that fact that I can play CIV IV on my laptop.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

I'm just hoping and praying that Civ V doesn't go crazy on requirments. I don't want it to require a full upgrade to play this game. I love that fact that I can play CIV IV on my laptop.

This also my biggest concern. My desktop is getting on 5 years old now. I don't really use it for gaming. I picked up a super sweet gaming laptop about a year ago. It's great. I really help it holds up for Civ V. I'd be sad if it didn't.

[molson]

Here's some info from one forum, which came from another forum, which came from a Danish newspaper or something (so no idea if it's legit)

Civ V Screenshot Analysis - Civilization Fanatics' Forums

Quote:
- Switch from squares to hexagons changing the way the game plays. More room for maneuvers and more tactical options.
- Changes to combat. More depth in combat, no more stacking of units. This will lead to bigger focus on terrain.
- Inspired by Panzer General.
- Reintroduction of Bombardment, now archers and siege equipment can shoot over melee units.
- Better diplomatic AI.
- More diplomatic options between players.
- Less "cheating" AI.
- Religion is not a factor anymore.
- Ressources are not infinite. For example one source of horse only supplies enough horses for 1 unit, but when that horseman dies the horses will respawn as a unit. (this confused me alittle, i guess we will have to watch it in action)
- City States as a sort of small countries that never develop beyond their single city. They can provide bonusses if you befriend them, or you can take over their land.
- Civics are out, now there is something called "Social Policies".
- About the same amount of wonders, the tech tree will feel familiar. Great People still in.
- Some victory conditions changed. For example in Conquest you only have to capture all the other capitals. Eliminates boring mop up phase.
- Unique Civ leader bonusses, no more standard "Spiritual" or "Financial".
- DirectX 11 support.
- Built in webbrowser. Sid Meier is also working on a facebook application of Civilization.

[ISiddiqui]

And, of course, this was the year I decided to leave Polycast....


Oh, and Jon Schafer, aka Trip on Apolyton's forums, is the Lead Designer on Civ5 - WOOT!

[Big Fo]

No stacks of death and no religion sound good.

I liked how in the screenshots there were a few infantry units up in the front with catapults behind them, with no SoDs and ranged bombardment combat could be a lot better.

[bulletsponge]

i liked the religious aspect of the last game

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

i liked the religious aspect of the last game

I did too

[AgustusM]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Dear Lord. Just let me know the date and how much poorer I'll be. Sid Meier could crap in a can and charge $30 for it and I'd buy it.

true

[AgustusM]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

i liked the religious aspect of the last game

I agree - it added a lot to the strategy IMO

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by molson

Ressources are not infinite. For example one source of horse only supplies enough horses for 1 unit, but when that horseman dies the horses will respawn as a unit. (this confused me alittle, i guess we will have to watch it in action)

I think that makes sense (or at least I think I understand what's being described).

Sounds like 1 horse resource hex provides enough horses to outfit a horseman unit (imagine its resources each turn being used to resupply that existing unit).

When that horseman unit ceases to exist then you have a full compliment of animals for a new horseman unit (since the resource square still produces them).

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think that makes sense (or at least I think I understand what's being described).

Sounds like 1 horse resource hex provides enough horses to outfit a horseman unit (imagine its resources each turn being used to resupply that existing unit).

When that horseman unit ceases to exist then you have a full compliment of animals for a new horseman unit (since the resource square still produces them).

That makes sense to me, too. But does that mean the city does not get the extra production or whatever? It does seem weird for it to 'respawn' when the horseman dies. The horse shouldn't disappear just because it's being used -- there should just be some indicator that it's being used instead.

[molson]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I think that makes sense (or at least I think I understand what's being described).

Sounds like 1 horse resource hex provides enough horses to outfit a horseman unit (imagine its resources each turn being used to resupply that existing unit).

When that horseman unit ceases to exist then you have a full compliment of animals for a new horseman unit (since the resource square still produces them).

I assumed that one hex would have a finite source of horses, but that number wouldn't necessarily be 1. It's hard to imagine 1 unit requiring an entire hex to supply it exclusively - unless the military unit setup has changed drastically.

So maybe you could find a big source of oil (though still finite), or a small source of oil. That would be pretty cool.