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. Dubbed 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 developed by PlaySide Studios, known for their work on VR titles such as The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and Meta Horizon Worlds. This new iteration promises to bring the world of Civilization to life in unprecedented ways.

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - VR Images

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Here's the official description:

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 base Civilization 7 game is currently available on PC and consoles for those who opted for advanced access, it has faced criticism in Steam user reviews. Players have pointed out issues with the user interface, a lack of map variety, and a feeling that the game launched without some expected features. Firaxis has responded to this feedback, promising UI improvements, the addition of teams for cooperative multiplayer games, and a wider variety of map types, among other enhancements.

In an interview with IGN before the release of third-quarter financial results, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged the negative reviews but remained optimistic. He stated that the “legacy Civ audience” will come to appreciate the game more as they play, and described Civilization 7’s early performance as “very encouraging.”

For those looking to conquer the world in Civilization 7, be sure to check out our comprehensive guides. From completing every Civ 7 victory to understanding the biggest Civ 7 changes for Civ 6 players and avoiding the 14 crucial Civ 7 mistakes, we've got you covered. Additionally, learn about all the Civ 7 map types and difficulty settings to enhance your gameplay experience.