Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Overview

Civilization VI is a 4X turn-based strategy game in which players guide a civilization from its founding as a small settlement through multiple eras of development. Players explore a procedurally generated map, found cities, research technologies, develop culture, engage in diplomacy, and compete against AI or human opponents to achieve victory through military dominance, scientific advancement, cultural influence, religious conversion, or diplomatic consensus. A key design change from its predecessor is the "unstacking" of cities, requiring players to place districts on surrounding tiles rather than stacking all improvements in the city center, making terrain and geography central to strategic planning. The game received two major expansions, Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm, which introduced mechanics like city loyalty, golden/dark ages, climate change, and natural disasters. It was succeeded by Civilization VII in 2025.

Developed by

Firaxis Games

Published by

Aspyr Media, 2K Games

Facts

Game modes

Single player, Multiplayer

Player perspectives

Bird view / Isometric

Themes

Fantasy, Historical, 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate)

Franchise

Sid Meier

Series

Civilization

Game engine

Firaxis LORE

Release dates

• Linux: Oct 20, 2016
• Mac: Oct 20, 2016
• PC (Microsoft Windows): Oct 20, 2016
• iOS: Dec 21, 2017
• Nintendo Switch: Nov 16, 2018
• PlayStation 4: Nov 22, 2019
• Xbox One: Nov 22, 2019
• Android: Aug 13, 2020