The popular strategy game, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, is set to officially launch on February 11, 2025. Recently, the game received the coveted “Steam Deck Verified” badge from Valve, marking an important milestone for the Civilization series as the first game in the franchise to be officially confirmed for Steam Deck support.
This means that players who own a Steam Deck will be able to experience this highly anticipated strategy game right when it launches, without worrying about performance issues or needing to tweak settings.
The Significance of the ‘Steam Deck Verified’ Badge
For those unfamiliar, the Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC developed by Valve, allowing users to play PC games directly on the device. With the “Steam Deck Verified” status, Civilization VII ensures a smooth gaming experience on the handheld device right from the start. This means players can jump into their “one last turn” with stable frame rates and appropriate controls optimized for handheld gaming, without needing to make any adjustments. Players will be able to utilize the built-in controls of the Steam Deck, including its touch display, without encountering compatibility issues.
The Difference from Previous Versions
While the previous entry in the series, Civilization VI, is listed as “Playable” on Steam Deck, meaning it’s playable but has some UI issues, Civilization VII has officially earned the “Verified” badge. This shows that Firaxis Games, the developer, has made significant efforts to optimize the game to perform at its best on the Steam Deck.
New Features in Civilization VII
Civilization VII promises to bring a wave of new changes to this legendary strategy series. Unlike previous iterations where players were restricted to playing a single civilization throughout the campaign, now players can switch between civilizations at the start of each age while retaining their chosen leader, a unique feature not seen in earlier versions. This offers more flexibility and fresh strategies for empire-building across different eras.
Each change in civilization will unlock new gameplay bonuses and unique units, ensuring that your empire remains at its peak throughout the campaign. Players will have the opportunity to build an empire that can truly stand the test of time, with every decision significantly impacting the future of their civilization.
System Requirements and Multi-Platform Release
Good news for PC players—Civilization VII will not require the 2K Launcher, simplifying the gaming process and avoiding unnecessary issues. However, the game’s highest system requirements might surprise some players, particularly the graphics card requirement, with a minimum of RTX 4070 needed to play in 4K resolution. This is quite a high specification, especially for those without high-end hardware.
Civilization VII will be released on February 11, 2025, across multiple platforms, including PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
The Future of Civilization VII on Steam Deck
With the “Steam Deck Verified” status, Civilization fans can now enjoy the game on Steam Deck without worrying about compatibility or performance. Firaxis Games’ focus on optimizing the game for mobile devices like the Steam Deck shows their growing commitment to delivering flexible and seamless gaming experiences, no matter whether players are on PC or handheld devices.
The combination of Civilization VII and Steam Deck represents a major step forward, not only for the game but for the entire gaming industry, as strategy games can now be more easily accessed by players on mobile platforms without compromising on quality.
With all the improvements and new features, Civilization VII is sure to deliver a unique and exciting experience for players, not only on PC but also on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. Fans of the strategy genre should not miss the upcoming February release.