Civilization VII 'Arc of Tomorrow' Update & 'Earthrise' Expansion Coming 2027

Firaxis Games and publisher 2K have unveiled significant new content for Sid Meier's Civilization VII, including a major free update dubbed "Arc of Tomorrow" and the title's first paid expansion, "Earthrise." Both are scheduled for release in 2027, with a smaller version 1.5.0 update arriving in September 2026. These additions promise to expand the game's historical scope and introduce new gameplay mechanics, further immersing players in the grand strategy experience.

The "Arc of Tomorrow" update is set to introduce the **Atomic Age**, extending the game's timeline from the mid-20th century into the near future. This new era will feature modernized urban cityscapes, updated technology and civic trees, and novel victory conditions. Players can also expect new social policies, narrative events, and a significant expansion of nuclear gameplay, incorporating new offensive and defensive capabilities and a fresh take on the concept of mutually assured destruction. The update will also grant players new tools for empire management, allowing them to recognize the independence of Settlements and release them as City-States. A unique feature will be the introduction of "Great Works of Film," where Film Crews will seek out filming locations to produce variable benefits based on genre quality. Additionally, players will engage with "Manufactured Goods," combining specific commodities to create new, powerful resources.

Expanding the Final Frontier and Environmental Challenges

The first paid expansion, "Earthrise," shifts the game's focus to the space race and interplanetary exploration, while also addressing environmental concerns on Earth. "Earthrise" will introduce new Antiquity and Exploration Ages, allowing players to chart the night sky and discover celestial bodies before delving deeper into the solar system. The expansion's Modern Age will enable early orbital missions around Earth and the Moon, paving the way for more ambitious space operations. The Atomic Age within "Earthrise" will empower players to launch missions across the solar system, establishing their own space agencies and discovering planetary features and resources. Crucially, "Earthrise" introduces mechanics for environmental adaptability, with new units, technologies, and structures designed to combat rising global temperatures and natural disasters. Players will be able to alter terrain, enhance biome-specific bonuses, and potentially even reverse environmental warming.

Development on "Arc of Tomorrow" content is currently underway, with Firaxis offering players an opportunity to participate in playtesting through the Firaxis Feature Workshop. The first round of this playtesting is scheduled to commence later this year, providing early access to select players. This collaborative approach aims to refine the new features before their public release.

Prior to these major additions, the version 1.5.0 update, due in September 2026, will bring several quality-of-life improvements. A highly anticipated feature is the True Start Location: Earth map, which recreates Earth's geography, enabling players to begin their campaigns in historically accurate locations. This map generation aims to offer a more immersive roleplaying experience, with varied natural wonders. The update also includes enhancements to map generation algorithms like Voronoi for Terra Incognita and Shuffle maps, alongside speedier map loading and more varied resource placement. Diplomacy receives an update, allowing players to use Influence to maintain alliances without being drawn into unwanted wars. Furthermore, the user interface will see improvements, including updated plot tooltips, settlement banners, and game setup options, along with a new tile ruler for better city planning.

Sid Meier's Civilization VII is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The announcements were accompanied by developer preview videos and trailers, offering a glimpse into the future of the acclaimed strategy game.