Firaxis Unveils Sid Meier's Civilization 7 in VR: A Surprise Announcement

Firaxis has exciting news for fans of the long-running strategy franchise with the announcement of a virtual reality version of the recently released Civilization 7. Titled Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - VR, this marks the series' first venture into the immersive world of VR, set to launch in spring 2025 exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and 3S.

Published by 2K Games, Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - VR is being crafted by PlaySide Studios, known for their work on acclaimed VR titles such as The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Meta Horizon Worlds. This collaboration promises to bring a fresh, interactive experience to the iconic strategy game.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - VR Images

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Here’s what you can expect from Civilization 7 - VR, according to the official blurb:

In Civilization 7 - VR, the world of Civilization is brought to life like never before. The map takes shape atop a Command Table that lets you peer down from high above or lean all the way in to appreciate the finer details of buildings and units, like a tabletop game come to life. Players will chart a course for their people and engage face-to-face with iconic world leaders around the Command Table, each reacting as you forge alliances or declare war through the Ages.

Civilization 7 - VR is available to play in either immersive virtual reality or mixed reality, and you'll be able to freely switch between the two at any time. In virtual reality, players are transported to an ornate museum as they look out onto a vista personalized to their leader; in mixed reality, the Command Table adapts to its placement in a player's physical space. Detailed dioramas can be viewed in The Archives, a room in your museum dedicated to your gameplay achievements displayed in both virtual and mixed reality. In addition to single-player, Civilization 7 - VR can compete to rule the world in online multiplayer matches with up to three other Meta Quest 3 and 3S players.

While the standard version of Civilization 7 is currently accessible on PC and consoles for those who opted for advanced access, initial feedback from Steam user reviews has highlighted concerns such as issues with the user interface, a lack of map variety, and the feeling that the game has launched without several expected features. In response, Firaxis has committed to enhancing the UI, introducing teams to multiplayer modes for cooperative play, and expanding the variety of map types, among other improvements.

In an interview with IGN, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the mixed reception of Civilization 7, acknowledging the negative reviews but expressing optimism that the "legacy Civ audience" will appreciate the game more as they continue to play. He described the game's early performance as "very encouraging."

For those eager to conquer the world in Civilization 7, be sure to check out our comprehensive guides. These include tips on achieving every Civ 7 victory, a breakdown of the biggest Civ 7 changes for Civ 6 players, and a list of the 14 crucial Civ 7 mistakes to avoid. Additionally, our resources cover all the Civ 7 map types and difficulty settings to help you understand what challenges lie ahead.