Firaxis Games
Firaxis Games business and news from across the web.- Civilization 7's imminent update will add one of history's most famous conquerors for free, in Firaxis' latest bid to coax you back to its controversial sequelCivilization 7 is receiving a free update on Monday that adds Alexander the Great as a playable leader, focusing on military strength and city renaming. This update aims to address player feedback regarding controversial systems like the age transition, though the game's 'Mixed' Steam rating persists despite commercial success.
- Report: WWE 2K26 dev Visual Concepts is laying off staffWWE 2K26 developer Visual Concepts is reportedly laying off staff, with at least seven employees posting about their departures on LinkedIn. This marks the third round of job cuts at the studio in three years, following similar incidents in September 2023 and August 2024. Layoffs have also affected other 2K subsidiaries, including Cat Daddy Games, Firaxis Games, and 31st Union, in recent months.
- Civilization 7's grand rework sets new victory goals, and it's giving you Alexander the Great for free to helpCivilization 7 is receiving a major overhaul with the 'Test of Time' update, introducing new victory conditions and challenges called Triumphs. The update also adds Alexander the Great as a free playable leader, who is designed to excel in warfare and conquest. This significant rework aims to revitalize the 4X game by overhauling core systems and providing more dynamic paths to victory.
- 20 years later, the world deserves another Sid Meier's Railroads!This article revisits the 2006 business simulation game Sid Meier's Railroads!, arguing that it deserves a modern remake. The author praises the game's blend of railroad management and competitive commerce, highlighting its unique mechanics of annexing industries, stock manipulation, and hostile takeovers. Despite its initial commercial failure and some lingering bugs, the game is lauded for its depth and potential for engaging multiplayer experiences.
- New Star Wars game from XCOM veterans gets an age rating ahead of Summer Games Fest and we're sure you know the…The upcoming strategy game Star Wars Zero Company, developed by former Firaxis Games veterans at Bit Reactor, has received an age rating in Korea. This suggests an official release date announcement is imminent, potentially around the Summer Games Fest. The game is set during the Clone Wars era.
- Civilization 7's "Time-Tested" civs created a new balance problem, but Firaxis found the ideal solutionFiraxis Games Design Lead Matt Owens details the 'Test of Time' update for Civilization 7, which allows players to keep a single civilization throughout the entire game timeline. This update addresses balance issues by introducing new mechanics like 'Time-Tested Ages' and the 'Syncretism' tool, enabling factions to adapt and remain competitive outside their 'Apex Age'.
- Rally Point: What's it like to be in charge of the Xenonauts? Um. Two?The director of Xenonauts 2 discusses the game's design, which aims for a more granular and simulationist approach to turn-based tactical combat compared to Firaxis's XCOM series. Key features include a detailed Time Unit system for actions, dynamic mission objectives, and a focus on individual soldier development rather than rigid classes. Despite some criticisms regarding streamlining and narrative elements, the game is seen as an entertaining success in the niche genre.
- Civilization 7's huge 'Test of Time' update arrives this month, and it's full of deep changes to the divisive 4X gameCivilization 7 is receiving a major 'Test of Time' update on May 19th, which aims to address community feedback and refine the game's divisive design decisions. The update introduces new mechanics like Syncretism for civ upgrades, overhauls victory conditions, and replaces Legacy Paths with Triumphs. It also includes additional free content such as a new map, narrative events, and a leader.
- BioShock 4 is not cancelled as Take-Two boss owns up to Civilization 7 failingsTake-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that BioShock 4 is not cancelled and is currently in a good development state, though he acknowledged past wasted resources. He also took responsibility for Civilization 7's perceived shortcomings and explained that the delay of the Borderlands 4 Nintendo Switch port is to prioritize fixing the PC version.
- Civilization VII "Test of Time" update lands May 19, finally letting you play entirely as one civFiraxis Games has released the 'Test of Time' update for Civilization VII, addressing player feedback by allowing players to stick with a single civilization throughout the game. The update also introduces a reworked Victories system and a new 'Triumphs' objective system, aiming to improve the game's reception and player experience.
- Civilization 7 is getting a mammoth update with all new mechanics, reworked victories, and the ability to play as a…Firaxis Games is releasing a major 'Test of Time' update for Sid Meier's Civilization VII on May 19, 2026, overhauling core mechanics like victory conditions and introducing 'Time-Tested civs' that can be played for an entire game. The update also includes balance changes, new narrative events, and a free new leader, aiming to address player feedback on the game's departures from the franchise's established formula.
- Civilization 7 devs Firaxis finally slap a release date on the Test of Time update, acting on "over a year's worth of listening" to moans about the Age systemFiraxis Games announced that the free 'Test of Time' update for Civilization 7 will be released on May 19th. This significant update overhauls the game's Age system, introducing new mechanics like Syncretism and Affirmation, a new victory system, and Legacy Paths replaced by a Triumphs system. The update also includes a new leader and a Fractal Continent map.
- Civilization 7 has been profitable despite design misstepsDespite controversial design changes in Civilization 7's "Ages" system, which have led to lower player counts compared to previous installments on Steam, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed the game is a profitable enterprise. The article also touches on player sentiment regarding the game's design and potential future updates.
- Civ 7 is getting 'by far the most-requested addition' later this month, but I'm more interested in whether it'll finally feel fully bakedFiraxis announced that Sid Meier's Civilization VII's 'Test of Time' update will be released on May 19, introducing the highly requested feature to play a single civilization throughout an entire campaign. This major free update also overhauls the victory system, adds optional side objectives called 'triumphs,' and includes UI improvements and balance changes.
- "We got it wrong" with Civilization 7, Take-Two boss admits, and he takes "responsibility" for the strategy game's failures: "What we tried to do was a bridge too far"Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick takes responsibility for the perceived failures of Sid Meier's Civilization VII, admitting the development team "got it wrong" in trying to push the envelope too far for consumers. Despite ongoing fixes and profitability, the game has struggled to match the player counts of its predecessors, Civilization VI and V. Firaxis Games is planning an "expansion-level" update to address player feedback.
- Civilization VII's Huge Free 'Test Of Time' Update Turns Back The Clock Later This MonthFiraxis Games is releasing a major free update for Sid Meier's Civilization VII on May 19th, titled 'Test of Time'. This update reintroduces the ability to play as the same civilization throughout all Age transitions, overhauls the Victories system to reward diverse player strategies, and replaces Legacy Paths with new challenging objectives called Triumphs. The update will be available on PC and Nintendo Switch, with the Switch 2 version featuring 4K resolution and 60fps.
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VII ‘Test of Time’ update launches May 19Publisher 2K and developer Firaxis Games have announced the release of the "Test of Time" update for Sid Meier's Civilization VII on May 19. This update is expected to bring new features and improvements to the popular strategy game.
- The 30 Best Video Game RemakesThis article ranks the 30 best video game remakes, distinguishing them from remasters by their comprehensive rebuilding of original titles. It highlights how remakes blend nostalgia with modern sensibilities to appeal to both veteran and new players, showcasing examples from various developers like Square Enix, Capcom, and Nintendo across multiple platforms.
- XCOM is getting a miniatures game from the company that brought Fallout to tabletopFiraxis Games announced a new XCOM miniatures game for its 30th anniversary, developed by Modiphius. The reveal was made via a sparse website featuring the logo style of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, with further details on gameplay mechanics and scale yet to be released.
- A big budget XCOM 3 is my dream video game - Reader’s FeatureA reader expresses their dream for a new XCOM 3, despite developer Firaxis Games' focus shifting and the perceived failure of Marvel's Midnight Suns. The article details the core gameplay of the turn-based strategy series and suggests potential improvements for a future installment, while acknowledging the unlikelihood of its development due to the departure of key personnel and publisher Take-Two Interactive's potential reluctance.