2K and Firaxis Games announced Gathering Storm, the second expansion of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6, highly-acclaimed and award-winning strategy game, will be released for PC on February 14, 2019.

Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Gathering Storm includes geology and climatology that will add new and creative challenges to the in-game world. Players are to create a new technology project, manage city-state influences and consumable resources, and take on the dynamic elements of mother nature by cooperating with leaders of the World Congress. New features of the expansion include 8 new civilizations, 9 leaders, new Diplomatic Victory condition, along with various units, districts, wonders, and buildings.

“As Sid Meier’s Civilization meets its 27th anniversary, we tried to explore and master the strategic gameplay in a new way. We’re honored to introduce Civilization 6 Gathering Storm, the exciting second expansion of Civilization 6. It is by far the biggest expansion Firaxis has ever developed in the Civilization series, and we included features of the civilizations which are beyond expectation,” said Melissa Bell, Global Marketing Manager at 2K.

Ed Beach, Lead Designer at Firaxis Games, also added that “In Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Gathering Storm, players are to face a dynamic and active world with new challenges and opportunities. Volcanos, floods, droughts, and huge storms await you, and all of them are part of the new climate system which may melt ice caps and raise sea levels depending on how the player interacts with the environment.”

The features of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Gathering Storm are as follows:

Environmental elements: Volcanos, storms (blizzard, sandstorms, tornados, hurricanes), climate change, floods, and droughts will be added and will make players see the world in a whole new way. Settlement becomes more important than ever, and a player must consider the risks that come with enticing rewards.

Power and consumable resources: Strategic resources play an additional role in Gathering Storm. These resources are now consumed in power plants to generate electricity for your cities. Initially, you’ll be powering your most advanced buildings by burning carbon-based resources like Coal and Oil, but renewable energy sources also unlock as the civilization progresses to modern technology. Players’ choices involving resource usage directly affect the world temperature which may cause melting ice caps and rising sea levels.

Engineering Projects: Shape the world around your empire to overcome unfavorable land conditions by making improvements like canals, dams, tunnels, and railroads. When settling cities, consider the flood risk of coastal lowland areas, but keep in mind that in the late-game, new technologies like Flood Barriers can be used to protect these tiles.

World Congress: Make your voice heard among the other leaders of the world. Earn Diplomatic Favor through Alliances, influencing city-states, and competing in World Games. You can also extract promises from other leaders with Diplomatic Favor, vote on Resolutions, and call for a Special Session to address an emergency. Increase the weight of your votes in your quest to reach the new Diplomatic Victory.

21C technologies and civics: A new era has been added to the Technology and Civics Trees. Combat new environmental elements with a variety of approaches such as relocating your population out to seasteads and developing technology to recapture carbon emissions.

New leaders and civilizations:9 new leaders from 8 new civilizations will be introduced. Each brings unique bonuses and gameplay, as well as a total of 9 unique units, 4 unique buildings, 3 unique improvements, 2 unique districts, and 1 unique governor.

New Scenarios
The Black Death: The Black Death ravaged Europe and western Asia in the mid-14th century, killing a greater share of the population than any other event in world history. The pandemic killed millions, ruined economies, upended political dynasties and transformed the face of the Western world. Your task is to lead your nation through the calamity: keep your population alive, your economy strong, and your faith unshaken amidst a world of terror and desperation.
War Machine: At the outset of WWI, the German Imperial Army had a daring plan: invade neutral Belgium and then rush the French heartland before they could mobilize to resist. If successful, the German forces would capture Paris within a month and end their resistance forever. To counter, the French command prepared Plan 17, an all-out onslaught designed to meet and stop the German offensive. When the war was declared, both armies swung into motion and set up one of the most incredible and shocking military campaigns in world history. In this scenario, players take the side of one of these two great powers at this same precipice. As Germany, your task is to capture Paris. As France, your task is to prevent its capture.

More new content: Seven new world wonders, seven natural wonders, 18 new units, 15 new improvements, 9 new buildings, 5 new districts, 2 new city sets, 9 new techs, and 10 new civics have been added.

Improved gameplay systems: The Espionage system has been enhanced with new options, the Culture, and Science Victories have been updated, new Historic Moments have been added, and additional improvements have been made to other existing systems.

Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 by Firaxis Games is rated for people aged 12 and above and is available now on Windows PC and Nintendo Switch. The game is also available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Linux thanks to Aspyr Media. Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 Gathering Storm will be released for Windows PC on February 14, 2019, and will also be available on Mac and Linux through Aspyr Media after some time.

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