Author: Game Infliction

Atsuko Tanaka, The Japanese Voice Of Bayonetta, Has Passed Away

She also played Chun-Li and Major from Ghost in the Shell.

There’s some incredibly sad news coming out of Japan today about the passing of Atsuko Tanaka – the voice actor behind many major video game and anime roles. This was revealed by her son Hikaru Tanaka on social media – with Oricon News noting how she was 61 years of age.

Some of her most notable roles included the voice of Bayonetta in the Japanese version of the game, Chun-Li from the Street Fighter series, Lara Croft, and the protagonist of the famous anime series Ghost in the Shell, Motoko “The Major” Kusanagi. In addition to this, she played characters from games and anime like NieR Replicant (Kaine), Devil May Cry (Trish) and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Lisa Lisa).

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Starfield Update 1.13.61 Full Patch Notes Details New Settings and Other Additions as Starfield Becomes Carfield

Earlier today, Bethesda announced that in the lead-up to Starfield’s upcoming Shattered Space DLC, players would be treated to the game’s first land vehicle, the Rev-8, in an update coming later tonight. Well, it’s now later tonight, and Starfield’s 1.13.61 update is now live.

The big centerpiece of this patch is, of course, the Rev-8. It’s the game’s first land vehicle, and we got our first look at it earlier today in a trailer. It’s kinda cute, bouncing around craters and things with its little hover jets and turret. Take a look:

The update isn’t just car-centric, though the Rev-8 is a pretty big deal. There are a number of new settings being added such as a frame rate target setting allowing players to pick between 30, 40, 60, or uncapped on VRR displays. Non-VRR displays will still be able to select between 30 and 60, though players are warned screen tearing may occur on non-VRR displays if 60 is selected. There’s also a new setting allowing you to prioritize between visuals and performance, and toggling Vsync on and off. And there are new Xbox Series S performance options added as well.

Gameplay-wise, the majority of the changes appear to be fixing various bugs or minor other adjustments to make gameplay a bit smoother. You can read the full patch notes here.

Today’s update comes ahead of a much larger DLC expansion entitled Shattered Space, which we learned today would be releasing on September 30. Shattered Space was first revealed back in June at the Xbox Games Showcase and is the game’s first story expansion. It takes place on the homeworld of House Va’Ruun and includes a new planet, weapons, spacesuits, gear, and more.

We gave Starfield a 7/10 in our launch review, saying that it “has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist.”

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Round Up: Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 – Every Nintendo Switch Game Reveal & Trailer

A quiet show for Switch.

Gamescom: Opening Night Live 2024 has been and gone, and it was a pretty eventful show… if you have multiple consoles!

We knew going in things would be light for the Nintendo Switch — it’s in its eighth year, after all! But Nintendo is also skipping the event. Zelda is coming soon folks, don’t worry…

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Revolutionizes the Strategy Classic by Building History in Layers

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Key Art

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Revolutionizes the Strategy Classic by Building History in Layers

Summary

  • Sid Meier’s Civilization VII takes player on a new type of journey, one through distinct historical chapters called Ages.
  • Build a unique cultural lineage as your empire is represented by unique Civs across each Age.
  • Launching on February 11, 2025, with support for cross-play and cross-progression.

From everyone at Firaxis Games, we’re thrilled to finally reveal gameplay and share that Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is launching on February 11, 2025.

In Civilization VII, we invite you to go on a journey never experienced before in the franchise – one through the Ages of human advancement. Ages divide history into distinct playable chapters, each designed to immerse the player in the essence of these time periods. We have three Ages for you to experience:

  • Antiquity Age: When agricultural societies began to cluster into urban centers, forming the foundations of the very first civilizations.
  • Exploration Age: When the desire for precious commodities from distant lands spurred empires to stretch across the great oceans.
  • Modern Age: A period of incredible technological growth and global conflict, where mankind goes from development of the steam engine to the splitting of the atom.

What’s particularly interesting about Ages, and separates it from previous Civilization features like Eras, is that for the first time you aren’t just playing as a single civilization. Instead, you build a unique cultural lineage in Civilization VII, where your empire is represented by different civilizations during each Age. You’ll be able to carry forward your past civilization’s legacy, while also playing as a new Civ in the new Age – one with refreshed abilities, unique units, buildings and more!

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Screenshot

This idea is a revolutionary one for Civilization, and merits some more detail. To explain, let me take you back to the original foundational idea for Civilization VII – a design mantra we call “History is Built in Layers.”

History is Built in Layers

A few years after we shipped the last Civ game, the design team at Firaxis Games sat down to begin planning out what we wanted to see in Civilization VII. Designing a new Civ game is a unique challenge and we take feedback from all areas. We think about what we’d like to improve on, we hear what the community is asking for, and we look at what players are doing in our games to see how we can make that experience even better.

One area of inspiration for us is, as you might guess, history itself. So I took a trip to London – a big, sprawling modern city, and thought about its past. London was originally an ancient Roman settlement called Londinium, established on the far reaches of the Roman Empire. Back then, it looked very much like any other Roman town, with a forum, bathhouses, and temples.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Screenshot

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Londinium was largely abandoned. Eventually, the Normans, following their conquest in the 11th century, established what would become Medieval London. On top of the old Roman ruins, new buildings were constructed, including fortifications, churches, and markets. However, Medieval London also faced hardships, such as the devastation of the Black Death.

Fast forward a few centuries, and the Industrial Revolution ushered in what would be Victorian London. This era saw the transformation of the city with new constructions like factories, railways, and commercial buildings, replacing or repurposing many older medieval structures.

This sparked an idea for us – what if you could build your empire in the same way? Where you could experience the same type of journey that London went through: going through different Ages, the identity of your empire represented by different civilizations from that time period. And as a video game, what if you could determine which direction your empire evolved? Imagine if, instead of the Normans, the Spanish had taken control of London? How would that change the future?

Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Screenshot

Forge Your Path Through the Ages

That’s the unique journey we want you to experience in Civilization VII. During each Age, you’ll select a historical civilization relevant to that time. You’ll compete and cooperate with rival civilizations and face the unique challenges of that Age. As you progress from one Age to the next, you’ll choose a new civilization to represent your empire—determined not just by historical connections, but also by the actions you can take as a player. Over the course of a campaign, as you carry your legacy forward from one Age to the next, you’ll build a unique cultural lineage for your empire – one that may even stand the test of time.

Civilization VII promises to be a revolutionary new chapter for the franchise, and today is just the first step in our journey to February 11, 2025. You can watch our official gameplay showcase for more details; for the latest information on Civilization VII, visit www.civilization.com and follow the game across YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.


Sid Meier's Civilization® VII
Xbox Live

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$69.99
Pre-order

Pre-order Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Standard Edition and receive the Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack!* The Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack is included as part of the Deluxe and Founders Editions.

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.

BUILD AN EMPIRE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

Lead your empire through distinct Ages of human history. Each Age is its own rich, nuanced journey, with unique playable civilizations, available resources, explorable land, and even entire gameplay systems, creating a deep, historically immersive strategy experience. Strive to accomplish significant scientific, cultural, militaristic, and economic milestones within each Age to unlock impactful advantages in the next!

EVOLVE YOUR EMPIRE AS EACH NEW AGE DAWNS

To build a legacy that truly stands the test of time, you must adapt. Forge your own path through history as you reshape your empire at the start of each Age, selecting from a pool of new Age-relevant civilization options determined by your prior gameplay accomplishments. Evolving your empire unlocks fresh gameplay bonuses and unique units, so your current civilization is always at the height of its power.

PLAY AS VISIONARY LEADERS OF PROGRESS

Embody an illustrious leader with one of Civilization’s most diverse rosters yet, from traditional heads of state known for their militaristic might or political prowess, to visionary leaders who made everlasting impacts in philosophy, science, human rights, and more! Each leader possesses a unique ability and can further be improved with customizable attributes earned through gameplay, empowering you to reinforce or pivot your strategy from one Age into the next. For the first time in franchise history, you can choose your leader separately from your civilization, giving you the freedom to create all-new strategies by mixing and matching gameplay bonuses.

EXPLORE A WORLD BROUGHT TO LIFE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Make your mark on a gorgeously detailed world! Your empire comes to life with a vast, diverse range of cultural styles, represented across building architecture and unit design. Face-to-face interactions with other historic leaders immerse you in every act of diplomacy and declaration of war. As your territory expands and your cities continue to develop, lavishly rendered vistas of your empire seamlessly connect to create a vibrant metropolis.

TEST YOUR STRATEGIC METTLE IN MULTIPLAYER

Compete against other players online and prove your prowess as a great leader.** Multiplayer matches can be epic multi-Age campaigns, or take place in a single Age so you can enjoy an entire game in a single session. Cross-play is supported, so you can play together with friends wherever they are.

AN ENJOYABLE STRATEGY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

With more than 30 years of franchise legacy to draw from, Civilization VII features a vast wealth of gameplay improvements that will thrill series veterans and newcomers alike. The overhauled tutorial experience and refined gameplay systems make jumping into Civilization easier than ever, while returning players will appreciate a massive suite of gameplay improvements. Move your army as one under the leadership of a commander, unlock progression bonuses for your leaders across multiple gameplay sessions, traverse navigable rivers, and much, much more!

*Pre-order offer available until February 11, 2025. Internet connection required to redeem bonus content. Terms apply.
**Online play and features (including progression bonuses) require an Internet connection and 2K Account (minimum age varies). Up to five players supported in the Antiquity & Exploration Ages. Up to eight players supported in the Modern Age. Map size restrictions may apply to certain cross-play multiplayer games. More info available here: https://2kgam.es/Civ7FAQ. Console online play requires a separate paid subscription. Terms apply.

Software Terms of Service (ToS) in game and at www.take2games.com/legal.

Non-transferable access to special features, such as exclusive/unlockable/downloadable/online & bonus content/services/functions/multiplayer services, may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or non-transferable online account registration (minimum age varies). See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. Special feature access may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms without notice.

Violation of ToS, Code of Conduct, or other policies may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account. Online play and download requires broadband internet service, and may require a separate paid platform subscription and account registration. User responsible for associated fees. Unauthorized copying, alteration, reverse engineering, decompiling, transmission, public performance, rental, pay for play, or copy protection circumvention is prohibited and violates the ToS.

©2024 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Sid Meier’s Civilization, Civilization, Civ, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.


Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Deluxe Edition
Xbox Live

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Deluxe Edition

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$99.99
Pre-order

Expand the strategic horizons of your empire and enjoy more options for your reign with Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Deluxe Edition! Purchasing Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Deluxe Edition entitles digital versions of the game on both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!

Deluxe Edition includes:
• Full base game
• Early Access – play the game early on February 6, 2025
• Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack
• Crossroads of the World Collection, with post-launch content featuring 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more!
• Deluxe Content Pack, which includes:
– 2 leader personas
– 4 profile customizations
– 1 alternate scout skin

EARLY ACCESS
Play Civilization VII on February 6, 2025, up to 5 days ahead of the official launch date.

TECUMSEH AND SHAWNEE PACK
This content pack adds the leader Tecumseh and the Shawnee civilization to Civilization VII!

Tecumseh specializes in diplomacy and defense. His unique ability, Nicaakiyakoolaakwe, increases food, production, and combat strength based on the number of allied city-states.

Shawnee is an Exploration Age civilization that excels at utilizing natural resources. Their unique ability, Nepekifaki, gives more food for settlements built on river tiles but slightly reduces food for any cities not built on rivers. Its associated wonder is the Serpent Mound.

CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD COLLECTION
Explore new possibilities for your personalized empire with post-launch add-on content, including 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more! Full details of the Crossroads of the World Collection will be revealed at a later date.

DELUXE CONTENT PACK
2 leader personas
Each persona offers a new variant of an existing leader, including a different outfit and background for that leader, new gameplay bonuses, and an alternative agenda that reflects a different side of their personality! The two personas included in this edition will be revealed at a later date.

4 profile customizations
Embellish your player profile with these cosmetic customizations, including a striking new badge, a regal new title, an ornate new banner, and an eye-catching new portrait that will all make you stand out from other players!

1 alternate scout skin
Give your scout recon unit a brand new look with this cosmetic outfit!

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.

BUILD AN EMPIRE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

Lead your empire through distinct Ages of human history. Each Age is its own rich, nuanced journey, with unique playable civilizations, available resources, explorable land, and even entire gameplay systems, creating a deep, historically immersive strategy experience. Strive to accomplish significant scientific, cultural, militaristic, and economic milestones within each Age to unlock impactful advantages in the next!

EVOLVE YOUR EMPIRE AS EACH NEW AGE DAWNS

To build a legacy that truly stands the test of time, you must adapt. Forge your own path through history as you reshape your empire at the start of each Age, selecting from a pool of new Age-relevant civilization options determined by your prior gameplay accomplishments. Evolving your empire unlocks fresh gameplay bonuses and unique units, so your current civilization is always at the height of its power.

PLAY AS VISIONARY LEADERS OF PROGRESS

Embody an illustrious leader with one of Civilization’s most diverse rosters yet, from traditional heads of state known for their militaristic might or political prowess, to visionary leaders who made everlasting impacts in philosophy, science, human rights, and more! Each leader possesses a unique ability and can further be improved with customizable attributes earned through gameplay, empowering you to reinforce or pivot your strategy from one Age into the next. For the first time in franchise history, you can choose your leader separately from your civilization, giving you the freedom to create all-new strategies by mixing and matching gameplay bonuses.

EXPLORE A WORLD BROUGHT TO LIFE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Make your mark on a gorgeously detailed world! Your empire comes to life with a vast, diverse range of cultural styles, represented across building architecture and unit design. Face-to-face interactions with other historic leaders immerse you in every act of diplomacy and declaration of war. As your territory expands and your cities continue to develop, lavishly rendered vistas of your empire seamlessly connect to create a vibrant metropolis.

TEST YOUR STRATEGIC METTLE IN MULTIPLAYER

Compete against other players online and prove your prowess as a great leader.* Multiplayer matches can be epic multi-Age campaigns, or take place in a single Age so you can enjoy an entire game in a single session. Cross-play is supported, so you can play together with friends wherever they are.

AN ENJOYABLE STRATEGY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

With more than 30 years of franchise legacy to draw from, Civilization VII features a vast wealth of gameplay improvements that will thrill series veterans and newcomers alike. The overhauled tutorial experience and refined gameplay systems make jumping into Civilization easier than ever, while returning players will appreciate a massive suite of gameplay improvements. Move your army as one under the leadership of a commander, unlock progression bonuses for your leaders across multiple gameplay sessions, traverse navigable rivers, and much, much more!

*Online play and features (including progression bonuses) require an Internet connection and 2K Account (minimum age varies). Up to five players supported in the Antiquity & Exploration Ages. Up to eight players supported in the Modern Age. Map size restrictions may apply to certain cross-play multiplayer games. More info available here: https://2kgam.es/Civ7FAQ. Console online play requires a separate paid subscription. Terms apply.

Software Terms of Service (ToS) in game and at www.take2games.com/legal.

Non-transferable access to special features, such as exclusive/unlockable/downloadable/online & bonus content/services/functions/multiplayer services, may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or non-transferable online account registration (minimum age varies). See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. Special feature access may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms without notice.

Violation of ToS, Code of Conduct, or other policies may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account. Online play and download requires broadband internet service, and may require a separate paid platform subscription and account registration. User responsible for associated fees. Unauthorized copying, alteration, reverse engineering, decompiling, transmission, public performance, rental, pay for play, or copy protection circumvention is prohibited and violates the ToS.

©2024 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Sid Meier’s Civilization, Civilization, Civ, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.


Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Founders Edition
Xbox Live

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Founders Edition

2K

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★

$129.99
Pre-order

Expand the strategic horizons of your empire and enjoy more options for your reign with Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII Founders Edition! This digital-only edition is only available until February 28, 2025—get it now before it’s history. Purchasing Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Founders Edition entitles digital versions of the game on both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One!

Founders Edition includes:
• Full base game
• Early Access – play the game up to 5 days early on February 6, 2025
• Tecumseh and Shawnee Pack
• Crossroads of the World Collection, with post-launch content featuring 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more
• Right to Rule Collection, with post-launch content featuring 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more!*
• Deluxe Content Pack, which includes:
– 2 leader personas
– 4 profile customizations
– 1 alternate scout skin
• Founders Content Pack, which includes:
– 2 leader personas
– 4 profile customizations
– 1 fog of war tile set
– 1 Founders palace skin

EARLY ACCESS
Play Civilization VII on February 6, 2025, up to 5 days ahead of the official launch date.

TECUMSEH AND SHAWNEE PACK
This content pack adds the leader Tecumseh and the Shawnee civilization to Civilization VII!

Tecumseh specializes in diplomacy and defense. His unique ability, Nicaakiyakoolaakwe, increases food, production, and combat strength based on the number of allied city-states.

Shawnee is an Exploration Age civilization that excels at utilizing natural resources. Their unique ability, Nepekifaki, gives more food for settlements built on river tiles but slightly reduces food for any cities not built on rivers. Its associated wonder is the Serpent Mound.

CROSSROADS OF THE WORLD COLLECTION
Explore new possibilities for your personalized empire with post-launch add-on content, including 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more! Full details will be revealed at a later date.

RIGHT TO RULE COLLECTION
Explore new possibilities for your personalized empire with even more post-launch add-on content, including 2 new leaders, 4 new civilizations, 4 new wonders, a special cosmetic bonus, and more! Full details will be revealed at a later date.

DELUXE & FOUNDERS CONTENT PACKS
Content listed below is inclusive of content included from the Deluxe Content Pack.

4 leader personas
Each persona offers a new variant of an existing leader, including a different outfit and background for that leader, new gameplay bonuses, and an alternative agenda that reflects a different side of their personality! The personas included in this edition will be revealed at a later date.

8 profile customizations
Embellish your player profile with these cosmetic customizations, including a striking new badge, a regal new title, an ornate new banner, and an eye-catching new portrait that will all make you stand out from other players!

1 fog of war tile set
Change your gameplay landscape with a beautiful fog of war tile set that changes in each Age!

1 alternate scout skin
Give your scout recon unit a brand new look with this cosmetic outfit!

1 Founders palace skin
Give your civ’s palace a regal new look with a glorious remodel that’s sure to stand out!

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.

BUILD AN EMPIRE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME

Lead your empire through distinct Ages of human history. Each Age is its own rich, nuanced journey, with unique playable civilizations, available resources, explorable land, and even entire gameplay systems, creating a deep, historically immersive strategy experience. Strive to accomplish significant scientific, cultural, militaristic, and economic milestones within each Age to unlock impactful advantages in the next!

EVOLVE YOUR EMPIRE AS EACH NEW AGE DAWNS

To build a legacy that truly stands the test of time, you must adapt. Forge your own path through history as you reshape your empire at the start of each Age, selecting from a pool of new Age-relevant civilization options determined by your prior gameplay accomplishments. Evolving your empire unlocks fresh gameplay bonuses and unique units, so your current civilization is always at the height of its power.

PLAY AS VISIONARY LEADERS OF PROGRESS

Embody an illustrious leader with one of Civilization’s most diverse rosters yet, from traditional heads of state known for their militaristic might or political prowess, to visionary leaders who made everlasting impacts in philosophy, science, human rights, and more! Each leader possesses a unique ability and can further be improved with customizable attributes earned through gameplay, empowering you to reinforce or pivot your strategy from one Age into the next. For the first time in franchise history, you can choose your leader separately from your civilization, giving you the freedom to create all-new strategies by mixing and matching gameplay bonuses.

EXPLORE A WORLD BROUGHT TO LIFE LIKE NEVER BEFORE

Make your mark on a gorgeously detailed world! Your empire comes to life with a vast, diverse range of cultural styles, represented across building architecture and unit design. Face-to-face interactions with other historic leaders immerse you in every act of diplomacy and declaration of war. As your territory expands and your cities continue to develop, lavishly rendered vistas of your empire seamlessly connect to create a vibrant metropolis.

TEST YOUR STRATEGIC METTLE IN MULTIPLAYER

Compete against other players online and prove your prowess as a great leader.** Multiplayer matches can be epic multi-Age campaigns, or take place in a single Age so you can enjoy an entire game in a single session. Cross-play is supported, so you can play together with friends wherever they are.

AN ENJOYABLE STRATEGY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

With more than 30 years of franchise legacy to draw from, Civilization VII features a vast wealth of gameplay improvements that will thrill series veterans and newcomers alike. The overhauled tutorial experience and refined gameplay systems make jumping into Civilization easier than ever, while returning players will appreciate a massive suite of gameplay improvements. Move your army as one under the leadership of a commander, unlock progression bonuses for your leaders across multiple gameplay sessions, traverse navigable rivers, and much, much more!

*The Right To Rule Collection contains 6 DLCs, all of which will be available on or by September 2025 (subject to change). Each DLC will be delivered automatically in-game on release.
**Online play and features (including progression bonuses) require an Internet connection and 2K Account (minimum age varies). Up to five players supported in the Antiquity & Exploration Ages. Up to eight players supported in the Modern Age. Map size restrictions may apply to certain cross-play multiplayer games. More info available here: https://2kgam.es/Civ7FAQ. Console online play requires a separate paid subscription. Terms apply.

Software Terms of Service (ToS) in game and at www.take2games.com/legal.

Non-transferable access to special features, such as exclusive/unlockable/downloadable/online & bonus content/services/functions/multiplayer services, may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or non-transferable online account registration (minimum age varies). See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. Special feature access may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms without notice.

Violation of ToS, Code of Conduct, or other policies may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account. Online play and download requires broadband internet service, and may require a separate paid platform subscription and account registration. User responsible for associated fees. Unauthorized copying, alteration, reverse engineering, decompiling, transmission, public performance, rental, pay for play, or copy protection circumvention is prohibited and violates the ToS.

©2024 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Sid Meier’s Civilization, Civilization, Civ, 2K, Firaxis Games, Take-Two Interactive Software and their respective logos are all trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

The post Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Revolutionizes the Strategy Classic by Building History in Layers appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Civilization 7: The First Preview

There’s nothing quite like the moment right before sitting down to see a new Civilization game for the first time – particularly since this is the longest we’ve ever had to wait for a new one – and I’m happy to say I came away with a pretty positive outlook on Civilization VII. It’s a more daring, risky take on the formula than any of the past few iterations have been, and I think that’s definitely the way to go, considering those older games aren’t going anywhere and are still quite playable. From Ages that completely transform your chosen civ, to a bold, readable, but grounded new art style, Firaxis is already putting their best foot forward.

The historical 4X space has gotten a lot more crowded since Civ 6, and it seems apparent Firaxis has been paying attention to what others dipping a toe into the genre have been doing. That leads us to the biggest single change Civ 7 is introducing: like in 2020’s Humankind, you won’t be playing a single civilization for your entire campaign.

There are three distinct Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern. The devs were quick to point out that Ages aren’t exactly equivalent to Eras in past Civ games, since they’re quite a bit longer and more distinct. By turn 125 on Standard speed, I was still in 1150 BCE according to the RP clock, for instance. A campaign should take about the same amount of time as in past Civ games. You’ll pick a new civ to play for each Age, with its own bonuses, units, and map graphics. The thing that will stay with you is your initial choice of leader, a 3D avatar for your entire campaign that comes with their own set of permanent bonuses.

The leaders themselves remain visually consistent through the ages – you won’t see Hatshepsut in a pant suit in modern times, for instance. And they’re all civilization agnostic. Hatshepsut’s bonuses synergize well with those of the ancient Egyptian civ, so you’ll have some incentive to match a leader to their historical people if you’re min-maxing. But you can play her as the leader of any civ. After all, you might be finishing the campaign as the United States, so there will be some mixing and matching regardless.

HEAD OF STATE

Firaxis is also taking the opportunity to include some leaders who weren’t necessarily top-level political figures this time, so we don’t just end up with the exact same cast. Ben Franklin was specifically called out, though we haven’t seen him fully animated yet.

What isn’t totally agnostic is your choice of a new civ in the coming age, addressing one of my gripes with Humankind – that you could go from Celts to Chinese with little or no narrative context. Every starting civ will have at least one “natural” path that’s always available to them. Egypt can naturally transition into Songhai, and then Buganda. But everyone can also potentially earn access to certain later-age civs that are unlocked by gameplay choices. For example, cultivating several horse resources in Antiquity can allow you to become the Mongols for the Exploration Age. Other interesting progression paths mentioned included starting as Rome, then becoming the Normans, and finally the England.

Transitioning between Ages will come with a period of Crisis, and I got to see just the beginning of one of them for Antiquity: The Rising Storm. Depicting the fall of the great empires of old, it required me to take one Crisis policy card (similar to Civ 6’s Dark Ages), where all of them were bad, so it was kind of a “pick your poison” moment. At the same time, new groups of independent people – who have completely replaced barbarians, and can be dealt with militarily or diplomatically – started spawning around my hinterlands.

LONE AND LEVEL SANDS

Transitioning to a new Age doesn’t only give you new mechanical bonuses, though. Lead designer Ed Beach used the city of London as an example of how you build cities in Civ 7. Comparing maps of Roman London to medieval London, very little of the former city is left standing. And the same is true if you compare medieval London to modern London. New civilizations are built over the ruins of the past. And through a concept called “overbuilding,” that’s literally what we’ll be doing in the later ages of Civ 7.

Cities are still sprawled across multiple tiles like in Civ 6, but there are now only two types of districts: Urban and Rural. Urban districts can hold up to two buildings at the start of Antiquity, increasing over time, and might gain special meta attributes based on what you build there. For Egypt, I was able to establish a unique funerary district by building both of their civ unique buildings in the same place. So a “science district” isn’t a thing you plop down that is going to start out being focused entirely on science. It’s just an urban district that you chose to specialize toward science with synergistic buildings.

Rural districts are more or less what used to be called tile improvements. Remember builders? They’re gone! Moving citizens around between tiles? Also gone! Instead, what now happens is, when you would gain a new citizen through population growth, you immediately plop down a new district (which will be empty if it’s urban – you still need to spend production on city buildings), or possibly add a specialist to an existing one if you have unlocked the civics for it.

In the build I played, you could only place districts adjacent to existing ones, which on the one hand creates tighter and more believable urban cores. I didn’t really think this restriction made sense for rural districts, though. I’d like to be able to place those a bit further out, since the look of outlying mines and farms, I think, creates a really nice scene. And the way it is currently, you can’t really save room for future urban sprawl, so I ended up with kind of a weird-looking checkerboard of urban and rural, which doesn’t feel especially authentic.

Settling new cities also now starts them out as a Town, which doesn’t have a production queue and instead turns all of its production into gold. You can still buy things in a town directly with gold, and the cost of upgrading it to a city will be reduced by how much you’ve built it up this way already. I found this to be a nice option, since I don’t really like managing 15 different production queues.

AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN

Overall, Civ 7 looks great so far. Civ 6’s art style was, shall we say, divisive, and I was more on the negative side, for sure. All these years later, I still think Civ 5 looks better than its direct successor. Civ 7 has taken another stylized, but much more grounded and tactile, approach. The main influences on the art style were painted miniatures, model trains, dioramas, and museum displays. And everything on the map is great to look at. I really did feel like I could reach down and pick these little guys up to get a closer look at them.

It’s the first Civ game in a while that really feels “next gen” in a visual sense. The mountains look a bit less… mountain-y? More like isolated peaks than the nice, realistic ranges you’d get in previous games. But that’s my only gripe so far.

The leaders, continuing on the tradition of Civ 6, are rendered with tons of detail and personality. We got a look at Hatshepsut of Egypt, Amina of Zazzau (the “natural” leader for Aksum), Augustus of Rome, and Ashoka of the Maurya. On the diplomatic screen, both of the negotiating leaders are now shown interacting, which adds a nice bit of extra dramatic flair.

Diplomacy has also been greatly reworked from Civ 6.

Diplomacy has also been greatly reworked from Civ 6. Influence is now a baseline currency produced by certain buildings, and you spend it on direct actions that target another civ. Firaxis wants to reduce the emphasis on transactional horse trading, so every time you do something diplomatically, it’s more of a specific jab or handshake. Influence also has a fairly low cap, and is use it or lose it, encouraging you to engage in diplomacy regularly.

One really interesting example of this was a treaty Amina kept hitting me with when we were on less than great terms, which would cause my relationship with my BFF Augustus to deteriorate unless I spent a larger ante of influence to counter it. This presents some diabolical ways you can play other civs against each other.

The other really great twist with Influence is that you can spend it during a war to increase your side’s War Support, which works like a diplomatic tug-of-war. If one side has invested a lot more influence than the other, the side with less war support will suffer scaling penalties to combat effectiveness and happiness in their cities. So diplomacy is now key to the military game as well, which I love.

AD ASTRA

Even with only three hours of hands-on time, I could probably talk for six or more about Civilization 7. There’s so much I haven’t even touched on yet, from commanders that can “pack up” entire armies for easier transport across the map, to Culture and Leader-specific perk trees. So keep an eye out for much, much more about Civilization 7 between now and release.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle First Look Preview: It’s So Riddick and I Love it for That

The last time the developers at MachineGames made an Xbox-exclusive first-person action-adventure based on a movie character, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of the entire original Xbox/PS2 console generation. That game was The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, back when the core of MachineGames was still at Starbreeze. I bring this up because after I got to see an extended demo of the studio’s newest project, the also-Xbox-exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I couldn’t help but be strongly – and I do mean strongly – reminded of the Vin Diesel-starring original-Xbox classic, in the very best of ways. Indy absolutely screams Riddick, and because of that, The Great Circle went from something on my most-anticipated list to being far and away the game I’m most looking forward to playing this year.

My hands-off demo began in (where else?) a huge underground temple, with the sun shining down onto a small figurine. Indy picks it up and the door closes behind him. He cracks the figurine open with a rock. Inside is a small block of some sort – a key, perhaps? Naturally, this triggers a cave-in, with our hero remarking, “Oh, you gotta be kidding me.”

The player takes over as the camera shifts to first-person (though it will go third-person for platforming sequences). As sand fills the room, Indy shuffles over to a window that’s suddenly become reachable thanks to all the sand. He tumbles into a stand and then a run, a stamina bar showing how much longer Jones can keep sprinting. He uses his trusty whip to make a leap across a chasm as the temple conditions grow more lethal by the second. He goes into a slide to exit the temple just in the nick of time.

MachineGames promises plenty of these kinds of exhilarating action sequences in The Great Circle, which notably – just like in Riddick – rarely involves the use of a gun. Sure, Dr. Jones has his trademark revolver, but, as creative director Axel Torvenius explained, “The key to the combat is to carefully decide your approach,” and added, “It’s very dangerous in this game to fire a gun.” It won’t be done particularly often, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly when the moment comes. “You should firstmost try to use your wits and your whip,” he continued. “To understand that there are optional ways to solve [problems].” Don’t, then, call this Indy game a first-person shooter. It’s a very first-person game, alright, but it’s decidedly not a shooter. It’s a mix of puzzle solving, platforming, stealth, and combat. Just like this team’s first game that starred a certain bald convict who can see really well in the dark…

“The focus for this game is adventure,” said director Jerk Gustaffson. “We want exploration to feel truly rewarding.” As such, one of your primary tools is Indy’s journal. It starts blank but quickly becomes a jam-packed archive of your travels, which will include visits to Egypt and the Himalayas, among several other locales. Furthering the spirit of adventure, there will be times where you’ll wear disguises in order to fit in, like one scene I saw where our favorite professor of archaeology dresses up like a priest in order to infiltrate a heavily guarded area. The adventure focus will even reflect in the gameplay structure of The Great Circle, with MachineGames revealing that the campaign will consist of a mix of linear areas and more open areas that you’re free to wander in.

Meanwhile, you’ll earn Adventure Points by finding journal entry-worthy items and secrets – as well as by taking pictures of key items with your camera – and those points can be spent to upgrade your Indiana Jones to play more like you prefer, be it upping your stealth abilities, combat abilities (like True Grit, which essentially lets you survive an otherwise-fatal blow to get back in the fight), or other skills. MachineGames says there are “dozens” of upgrades to choose from. You can also buy items from shopkeepers, like one I saw that had a monkey beside him at his booth. What these are, though, I have not yet seen.

Much of the combat looks like it’ll involve your fists, but like in Riddick, your foes won’t go down with a simple press of the punch button. You’ll have to skillfully parry, block, and combo your way to victory in hand-to-hand combat. And don’t be afraid to get your whip involved too, by lashing it at opponents’ feet to knock them down, as one example of what it can do for you in gameplay. But your dukes aren’t always going to be your go-to weapons. I saw Indy use a rolling pin in a kitchen to bash a Nazi’s face in. I also watched him pick up a shovel, sneak up behind a Nazi, and whack him on the back of the head. In fact, sneaking looks to be a big part of The Great Circle, with stealth emphasized as a core tenet of gameplay – as it was in Escape from Butcher Bay.

Sneaking looks to be a big part of The Great Circle, with stealth emphasized as a core tenet of gameplay – as it was in Escape from Butcher Bay.

Something Richard B. Riddick didn’t do, though, was bring any friends along with him for the ride. Indiana Jones, on the other hand, will welcome help along the way. I saw a couple of companions at his side throughout my demo across numerous scenes in the game. They’re not always around, but when they’re by your side, I didn’t see enough to know exactly what they’ll be capable of? Are they solely to help advance the plot and allow for more Indy quips? Or will they also offer an Elizabeth-in-BioShock-Infinite-like assistance in combat?

That remains to be seen, but my demo ended with a sequence that showed off a lot of what The Great Circle is going to be all about: adventuring, avoiding traps, and solving puzzles! To find a key that would unlock a temple, Indy needed to sneak into enemy territory disguised as a regular worker. After snooping around for a while, he finds the golden medallion he’s after and takes it quietly (banking +5 Adventure Points). He encounters four bad guys at a table and, this time, walks out of the tent without incident. Upon returning to the nearby temple’s hidden door and inserting the medallion, the door opens. Indy and his accompanying ally go deeper into darkness, using a lighter to illuminate the way. “This hasn’t been disturbed for thousands of years,” the professor remarks. They slowly explore the dark temple before lighting up a torch. At the end of a narrow hallway stands an ornate iron gate. Pulling the lever causes the floor to give way – revealing spikes underneath! The companion saves Indy from being impaled. Indy then uses his whip to hook onto a bar above and then lower himself down to a newly revealed crawl space underneath the floor. He shuffles through, finds a pull chain, yanks it, and the gate opens. Both Dr. Jones and his ally find a mural and take a photo of it (for 10 more Adventure Points).

They come to a sunlit room with a half-obelisk, half-throne in the back of the room, bathed in sunlight. Sunbeams point at a golden mask. The puzzle here is to redirect the sunbeams by tilting the mirrors adjacent to the throne. Your companion grabs the mask after the mirrors are aligned properly. And in a moment of overexcitement, she sits in the throne with the mask and the seat of the throne gives way! As Indy reaches to save her, both end up dragged down to a darkened pit below, where the light of the torch reveals a floor covered in…scorpions. (You thought I was going to say snakes, didn’t you?)

The fact is, this core group of developers at MachineGames – many of whom have been together for two decades – have never missed. From Riddick to The Darkness to the modern Wolfenstein games, this is an incredibly successful team. And now, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a playable Indiana Jones adventure being built using the best parts of the template that this development team used to make its first – and in my humble opinion, best – game of all. I absolutely can’t wait to play it.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle releases December 9th, will hopefully contain gameplay by that point

Oh, and new Indiana Jones And The Great Circle trailer! Great. I’ve been looking forward to a nice, juicy chunk of extended gameplay. You know, something to really convey the flow of the game, rather than the admittedly impressive but nonetheless very fragmented snippets we’ve gotten so far. Now to sit back and…oh, wait. Hang on. It’s just actor Troy Baker telling me about all the great acting he’ll be doing. It is great, by the way. He’s doing a fantastic job. Maybe just, you know, a crumb of acknowledgement or elucidation over the whole ‘interactivity’ part?

Anyway, don’t mind me. I’m just an old fool who likes to press buttons. And, to be fair, it’s not like Machinegames don’t have a great track record. Anyway, here’s some good news: The game releases December 9th this year. Have a release date trailer.

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