2K Games has announced the first full expansion for Civilization V, called Gods & Kings.

Developed by Firaxis, Gods & Kings spans the breadth of human civilisation, introduces new gameplay mechanics and offers even more ways for players to achieve world domination, says 2K.

Players will engage in new quests and global competitions, interact with new types of city states and take on new scenarios, and new systems for land and naval combat.

 

2K has announced a new downloadable content pack for Civilization V, The Civilization and Scenario Pack: Polynesia.

The scenario, entitled Paradise Found, enables players to assume the role of one of four great Polynesian kingdoms as they seek to become the dominant power in the Pacific. “All-new technology and social policy trees unlock powerful advantages to players, including the fearsome Maori Warrior and the enigmatic Moai,” writes 2K.

“Special changes to the game rules allow players to build expansive kingdoms quickly without impeding their cultural growth, but the seas of the Pacific are huge and land is at a premium among the atolls and islands. Take the best islands for yourself, and prove your mana as a ruler as you build Polynesia to stand the test of time!”

 

Civilization V’s lead designer and principal programmer, Jon Schafer, has left Firaxis, the studio behind the popular turn-based strategy game.

Schafer’s departure follows the recent release of Civilization V on Mac.

In the months before the game’s release, publisher Take-Two let go of 20 staff at the studio.

 

Steam has reported that Sid Meier's Civilization V has been comprehensively patched today, implementing long-awaited modifications for this turn-based strategy sequel.

Amongst the many changes, AI has come in for particular scrutiny, with tactics and victory conditions updated to better suit the available computer resources. The patch will be automatically applied through Steam upon launching the application.

The full changelog is as below;

 

Dennis Shirk, producer for Sid Meier’s Civilization V.

GP: Can you tell us a bit about your role at Firaxis?

Dennis: Sure! My name is Dennis Shirk and I’m the producer for Sid Meier’s Civilization V. The producer’s job is to manage the game development process from the prototype phase through launch, keeping the game on track, creating and implementing a task schedule, making sure the team has what they need to do their best work, facilitating the needs of the publisher, and constantly playing the game to make sure we’re finding the fun.

GP: Were any features or units left out that you would have like to have seen in the final game?

 

Firaxis and 2K have released a playable demo for Sid Meier's Civilization V, the latest installment in the epic strategy franchise.

Built on a new engine, Civilization V features an entirely new combat system, deeper diplomatic interactions, an intuitive interface, improved diplomacy, in-game community hub, advanced modding tools, and more. The demo requires a Steam account.

You can download the 2.6GB file from GP Downloads, and read our Civilization V review here. Don't forget to enter our draw too - you could win a copy of the full game.

 

The official Civilization V website is reporting that the demo for this strategy title will be released on September 21, the same day that the game is released in North America.

They explain further; "The question many of you are probably asking now is “didn’t you say it would be available before the release date?” The answer to that question is yes, I did. At the time of that announcement, we expected to be able to get the demo out before the 21st, but unfortunately we weren’t able to finalize it in the timeframe we had initially planned, and for that we’re very sorry."

Fortunately this won't affect kiwis too much - the title is due for release on the 24th September in New Zealand, providing prospective customers with several days to try the demo before deciding whether to part with their money.

 

2K are a crafty lot.

Last time I spoke with them, they swore black and blue that 2K Marin (BioShock, BioShock 2) had absolutely nothing to do with the 2K-owned studio Firaxis. No collaboration, no association, and no chance that they'd pass on my request to Mr Meier to make a follow-up to his excellent 2006 Railroads title. The ever-so-subtle head tilt and look of sympathy was clearly duplicitous, and suspiciously well practised, although fans of the Railroads series will be well accustomed to pity.

I say this because the interface in Civilization V is pure Rapture. Art Deco. It's clean, stylish, and apart from the notable distinction of being above water, could easily have been designed by Andrew Ryan. If there isn't any mutual collaboration in progress, then it's time for 2K Marin to change their locks and hammer large pieces of crooked wood against their windows.