Civilization VI E3 2016 Closed Door Presentation Description

At E3 2016, 2K Games massive booth may have been dedicated primarily to Mafia 3, but the line for the closed-door theater presentation for Sid Meier's Civilization VI stayed full all day during the first show floor day of the expo. Peter Murray from Firaxis Games led the presentation, noting it's the 25th anniversary of the series.

Wonders, research, and the changes through the ages have all been updated for Civ VI. The presentation started with a classic shot from Civ 1, and talked about how things have grown - both in the world, and in the game. Scenes from each edition of the game were shown, leading up to VI.

"Under your leadership, we shall surely prosper." We start with a single small settlement. When you go to create builders (they had the demo in China, for the record), time passes as you see the sun rise to the top and fall, and night pass, the sun rising again. The builders make farms, the farms allow for settlers, and they settle a new city by the water. Traders are next, creating a route and connection between the two cities. The fog of war is still there, but fades and re-speads beautifully, going from a generic paper map to the greenery and actual terrain.

New districts in cities, as they grow, can include religious districts or encampments or Theater and Arts. You can choose city by city, not just civ-wide. Combat was shown, with a few new animations but very much a classic Civ feel. If it ain't broke...

A scout from the USA reveals leader Teddy Roosevelt offering a trade friendship, and that leads to Military, Economic, Diplomatic, and wildcard policies needing to be chosen. They're done as cards you can drag and drop to decide and alter how your country is run.

The demo then jumped forward to the Industrial Age, where other countries are now very close to your own, right up against them. An Egyptian Civ declares war - and they have good firepower, going primarily after resources. China rolls out tanks, and beats the invaders, then going after their capital, with warships, artillery, and even bomber planes. They win, and take over that territory.

The ages advance quickly, continuing to build wonders and seek to "discover our true potential and achieve greatness." That all leads to a spaceport being created, "and finally, we move forward to the next chapter of our destiny."

That's the full demo being shown at E3! October 21, 2016 for Civ IV!