In video game terms, Civilization VI is ancient history by now. If you can believe it, it’s been seven years since the last instalment in the franchise. But with Civ VII, it looks like the king of strategy gaming is back with a bang.

So, to get you ready for your campaign, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know. From the nations you’ll be leading to the pre-order info, price and more. Hail Caesar!

What is Civilization VII’s release date?

Prepare the troops and get your political plans in order. Because Civilization VII charges onto PC and console on February 11, 2025.

How much will Civilization VII cost?

Building an empire wasn’t cheap. Luckily for you though, the game won’t leave your coffers empty! You can grab a copy for just £59.99.

Can I pre-order Civilization VII?

You sure can. And you’ve got three different versions to pick from too. Here’s a quick rundown of each one and what’s included…

Standard edition (£59.99):

• The base game

• Tecumeseh and Shawnee pre-order bonus

Deluxe edition (£89.99):

• Everything in the standard edition

• 5 days early access

• Deluxe Content Pack (4 profile customisations, 2 leader personas, 1 different scout skin)

• Crossroads of the World Collection (4 new civs, 2 new leaders, 4 new wonders, plus a cosmetic extra)

Founders edition (£119.99):

• Everything in the other two editions

• Right to Rule collection (post-launch add-ons)

• Founders Content Pack (4 profile customisations, 1 fog of war tile set, 1 founders palace skin, 2 leader personas)

Civilization VII platforms and crossplay

Civilization VII is one for the history books. It’s the first time a game in the series will be released across all platforms at once. So, you console players don’t have to look on with envy while your mates on PC get stuck in. You’ll be able to play on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X / Series S, Nintendo Switch and PC.

What about crossplay support though? Well, this is where it gets a little bit complicated. Although, admittedly, probably not as complicated as it is to pronounce the names of old Babylonian kings properly (we’re looking at you Nebuchadnezzar).

There’s full crossplay between Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and Switch. But the amount of people you can play with in different modes comes down to the platform you’re on. Also, if you’re a Switch gamer, you won’t be able to compete on standard or large map sizes with other gamers. Those plans for world domination might need to be put on hold for now.

How to play Civilization VII

If you’ve never play a Civ game before, here’s the quick sell. It’s your classic top down, turn based strategy title. After picking a leader and a faction, you’ll aim to build the most powerful civilization on the map. By advancing through three ages – Antiquity, Exploration and Modern – you’ll unlock new technologies, policies, military units and more. And you’ll use them to shape your lands and plot your route to victory.

But unlike a lot of other strategy games, you don’t have to win by wiping out your enemies. Become the most advanced power with all kinds of cutting-edge tech and you’ll take home a technological victory. Or construct wonders of the world and make your kingdom a cultural powerhouse that’s home to the best engineers, artists, and thinkers. Oh, and try and use diplomacy to your advantage too. Sometimes cooperation is more effective than conquering.

How many hours of gameplay will Civilization VII have?

Rome wasn’t built in a day. And it’s fair to say that you’ll be spending more than that carving out your realm. The Civ games are known for matches that can easily stretch to tens of hours. And with so many different factions and leaders to experiment with, those gameplay numbers can quickly add up. You’ll definitely be spending an age with this one.

Who are the main factions and leaders in Civilization VII?

One of the biggest changes in Civ VII is the fact that you can mix and match your leader and your civilization. This opens up a whole load of crazy and exciting gameplay possibilities. Fancy seeing how Napoleon would fare in command of modern American tanks? You can do that. Want Julius Caesar to turn rebel and lead the Greeks against his homeland? Why not. It’s all entirely up to you.

Every leader comes with their own special ability that you’ll upgrade with extra attributes while you play. Some heads of state will be inspiring generals that thrive in battle. While others might be smart negotiators who know how to avoid war entirely. You’ll need to make full use of their unique traits to give yourself an edge.

For a full list of confirmed leaders and nations, check out the dropdown boxes below.

What are the different Civilization VII game mode options?

As well as going head-to-head against the computer in single player, Civ’s classic multiplayer makes a return. Test your might against other generals online or go up against your mates and leave their lands in ruin. The bragging rights are on the line.

And if you haven’t got the time for an era spanning session, don’t sweat it. Start a campaign involving just the one age and finish up in a single sitting. It’ll really test your leadership skills though, as those shorter matches mean every single turn counts. That one move could be your downfall or a strategic masterclass!

What Civilization VII features are player customisable?

You’ll be in charge of pretty much every aspect of your dominion. Choose where you want to set up a new city. Think about which nations are a worthy ally, and which you’re ready to crush in all-out war. Or establish a democracy or a dictatorship and be an inspirational leader or rule with an iron fist. You decide.

Want to keep up with all of the latest releases? We’ve got you covered. Go and check out our upcoming games page. You’ll find everything you need to know about the biggest new titles. And there might even be a few discount codes for you as well…