Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 will arrive very soon, showing how far the iconic franchise has come. Few franchises hold the same prestige as Civilization in turn-based strategy games. This latest game will add new features, characters, and cultures to the series and new strategic elements. One of the most surprising was that this top-down, real-time strategy game would be compatible with Meta’s Quest 3 Virtual Reality, with the hardware taking full advantage of Firaxis’ world. Here is a breakdown of how this could enhance Civilization 7.
Civilization 7 to have VR
According to Upload VR, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 will have a VR version and launch on Meta’s Quest 3 along with its alternate version, the 3S. Meta revealed this at the Civ World Summit, a massive event celebrating the game’s launch. At the event, they gave attendees a Quest 3 as a gift. PlaySide Studios, creators of Shattered and the Dumb Ways to Die games, will develop the port. The VR version will add the “Archives,” a way for players to review detailed dioramas of the game’s events.
While many would consider this an odd game to add VR to, Sid Meier’s games have always had stellar visuals and a need for players to connect with the worlds they control. Firaxis and PlaySide will model this VR version of the game off of a board game with players standing over their field. The two modes let players overlay the board over their surroundings or use a fully immersed version, bringing them into the game’s world.
The Power of Virtual Reality
While video game technology always evolved between generations, few steps were as revolutionary as the introduction of virtual reality. After decades of experimentation, the technology spread like wildfire during the 2010s with devices like the Oculus Rift and Meta Quest. Many other developers, like Sony’s PlayStation, capitalized on this by creating VR devices. Building off of the motion-control technology of the Wii, VR created a whole new way to become immersed in the worlds video games create.
Entire genres of games have emerged from this new technology, along with inventive hits like Beat Saber. Furthermore, this technology has enhanced older games like Skyrim and other first-person titles. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this technology could enhance strategic games by giving players the feel of being an “overlooker” hovering above these worlds.
Sid Meyers’ Iconic Series
Whether or not the technology fits with Civilization 7’s gameplay, Sid Meier’s series is undoubtedly one of the most influential in the RTS genre. Ever since the first game in 1991, the Civilization series codified many of the central tropes of strategy games, including the “4X” formula. Drawing from thousands of years of real-world history and hundreds of cultures, players build up an expanding empire over centuries, encountering many prominent figures. Additionally, other expansion packs delved into science fiction and alternate history.
For Civilization 7, Firaxis made several structural changes to the base game. First, they streamlined the era system into Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern Eras. Additionally, each era will have a “crisis event” as its climax. Furthermore, what constitutes a “leader” was expanded to include scientists and philosophers while loosening restrictions on their use. Whether these are steps forward or back, the stellar art direction makes the VR addition worth it.
Conclusion
With Civilization 7 on the horizon, 2K and Firaxis spared no expense in creating the best possible experience for their players. By adding these VR features, players can experience ruling over this RTS battlefield and the gorgeous recreations of historical worlds. The Civilization series has always been a gateway to learning about world history and the ways of statecraft. Implementing Meta Quest 3’s VR will give these players a new dimension to explore the game. Hopefully, other genres will open their doors to VR, enhancing the experience.
