Albertan Civfanatic
Albertan Nationalist
Will 2026 see massive new updates? Will there be a huge DLC, similar to Gods and Kings?
New Updates When?
- Thread starter Albertan Civfanatic
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MutilationWave
IDDQD
We'll definitely see big updates this year. The first one, whenever it drops, could go either way. Maybe we'll get something big because it's coming slower than we're used to. Maybe it will be smaller because they gave their team time off around the holidays.
The first expansion for civ 6 came out around 16 months after release, with the second expansion coming a year after that.
Personally I'd be very surprised if we didn't get a large expansion in 2026.
The first expansion for civ 6 came out around 16 months after release, with the second expansion coming a year after that.
Personally I'd be very surprised if we didn't get a large expansion in 2026.
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stealth_nsk
Deity
Yes, we could totally expect first expansion this year. But on top of that we could expect large updates from patches as Firaxis currently tests big improvements to some core mechanics.
I think it will really depend on what the plan is. Are they doing the expansion packs, or will we get more like monthly updates and more like the Leader Pass style.
I think they will be starting the feature workshop soon-ish, it will be curious if that ends up as like a semi-private beta for an expansion, or just for patches, or what.
I think they will be starting the feature workshop soon-ish, it will be curious if that ends up as like a semi-private beta for an expansion, or just for patches, or what.
I would not be so sure there will be an expansion this year. If this playing-as-one-civ feature they say they are testing ends up as an expansion, then sure. But as the goal of it would be to win people back who don't like Civ VII in its current state, an expansion those people would have to pay extra for might be a hard sell.
If that feature ends up as a free update, it would probably bind resources that would usually be used for an expansion, so there might only sell leaders and civs along free updates to the core this year.
stealth_nsk
Deity
I don't think it's relevant. Even though some part of the community is negative toward the game, Firaxis has to sell expansions for business model to work. With the amount of staff they have, they don't all work on patches, especially considering that a lot of those people (graphical designers, sound artists, etc.) don't have anything to do with patches.
I, honestly, expect 4th age expansion close to the end of the year. I expect some part of the community to be really angry with this, but it will still sell.
Nah, there's no way any extra age (be it medieval or modern) comes for free. If it's an actual new age with a transition and all, it will need 10+ new civs, or if it's some sort of fake transition, heavy rework on the current civs.
I think expecting a major expansion this year is wishful thinking. Game development has slowed dramatically the last decade. Apart from those franchises running multiple teams in parallel , instalments that used to release 2-3 years apart are now 4-5 or more.
Between this and the rebalance, and reworking of the base game which is still ongoing, the only thing I expect are minor patches between maybe 3 major ones all year. Each one adding civs leaders and wonders as DLC as well as a small mechanic tweak. I'm not expecting an expansion until next year.
I think it will still be a great year for Civ VII , Hopefully we will get some balance passes that make the game fun again, some interesting asymmetrical civs and leaders, more map types or map customization options, a rework of legacy paths and age transitions.
Hopefully I'm wrong it would be nice to get a full expansion in August, I just think they would want to see how the vanilla game looks "Fixed" before jumping full speed into expansion territory.
Between this and the rebalance, and reworking of the base game which is still ongoing, the only thing I expect are minor patches between maybe 3 major ones all year. Each one adding civs leaders and wonders as DLC as well as a small mechanic tweak. I'm not expecting an expansion until next year.
I think it will still be a great year for Civ VII , Hopefully we will get some balance passes that make the game fun again, some interesting asymmetrical civs and leaders, more map types or map customization options, a rework of legacy paths and age transitions.
Hopefully I'm wrong it would be nice to get a full expansion in August, I just think they would want to see how the vanilla game looks "Fixed" before jumping full speed into expansion territory.
Everything that could ever be possibly be released should be in the base game? I feel like "should be in the base game" is a vastly overused claim. A cliche at this point.
Why should a theoretical fouth Age have been released on release? Given the state Exploration and Modern were in, particularly?
I would rather all three Ages had played as well as Antiquity from the start. That would've had a huge impact.
I hope that we‘ll see a larger patch in February that includes playing any civ in any age. This needs to be introduced properly as a kind of 2.0 release and I expect news about it to come earlier than just a week ahead to build some steam.
As for a larger expansion, it seems reasonable to expect one for the second half of the year. But maybe this got postponed because there is more work going into the base game as originally planned.
As for a larger expansion, it seems reasonable to expect one for the second half of the year. But maybe this got postponed because there is more work going into the base game as originally planned.
If the Workshop was advertised for the new year (e.g. from now onwards), there's no way the feature they want community feedback is going to be ready for February, unless the community feedback isn't considered.
Which wouldn't exactly be ideal.
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Indeed. I wouldn't expect a significant update for several months, simply because Firaxis is apparently running/going to run some stuff through playtesters in the Feature Workshop.
They have to sell something, but this does not necessarily have to be expansions. More leaders and civs might just sell well enough. Of course I don't have the data how much a DLC earns compared to a full expansion, but funding patches just by selling civs might be a viable business model for some time.
A 4th age would make a good expansion, because it would be quite self-contained. But to sell it, they would first need to convince people that a 4th age would be fun by making Modern fun. Otherwise, no one might buy it.
Well if they have the "play as a civ for multiple ages" implemented... then they could release a free modern age update... along with a paid Expansion Pack of 10 Atomic Age civs and 4-5 Leaders.
(So you could Spread your Internet companies and conduct proxy wars as Spain.... but if you want to do it as the European Union or Canada you have to pay up)
However, given that a New Age means new mechanics/Tech/civics Tree, etc. I doubt it would be a free update... More likely an Expansion with those Atomic Age civs included.
IntelligentDisk
Warlord
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The 2k representative in the Civ Discord server "CymruJ" has been stating something will be happening around the anniversary of Civ VIIs release. It's unclear if that will be when we get news or when an update will be (with news prior?).
Civ VII will certainly see huge updates this year considering the start of the Firaxis Feature Workshop.
Civ VII will certainly see huge updates this year considering the start of the Firaxis Feature Workshop.
It already started yesterday.
Lord Lakely
Idea Fountain
Given the effort the devs are putting into that Workshop (its organization, moderation, etc), they're definitely planning push some big updates in the future. They're just not leaving anything to chance, that's all.
stealth_nsk
Deity
If I remember correctly, they only planned to have a week or two of player testing for each feature. Which means at the beginning of February they'll have feedback on which of their partially implemented features works best. I'd say it's possible to finish this feature for release by the end of February if user feedback won't change anything.
Again, I assume the workshop is more about choosing between one partially developed approaches, not just listening to opinions. In the second case the testing won't be needed.
The have to sell both small DLC and expansions. The have different selling patterns and marketing.
Also, aside from pure business, there's a point of company image, which includes leading the game to what is seen as completion. This means they have release 2 expansions and they have to make 4th age up to space race eventually.
"No one" is a bit too strong. Many current Civ7 owners would buy 4th age expansion even now and if legacy paths / victories will be improved, the number of potential buyers will grow.
I would not be surprised if they continue to improve the current game mechanics, before introducing major new game mechanics in the form of a major expansion. If you look at some of the patch notes they already teased some of the stuff that is likely to be introduced in the coming updates, like big improvements to the religion system and a new "commerce hub". I think a lot of players would be upset if those changes require a paid expansion pack, and rightly so imho.
That will most likely mean free game updates alongside themed DLC collections for separate purchase, just like they did for the remainder of 2025 after the initial release. Maybe that does not rule out a major expansion in late 2026. But my bet for such an expansion would be more like early 2027.
My bet for an upcoming announcement is the introduction of a "season pass" for all scheduled DLC collections alongside a rough roadmap for those DLCs. So basically a renewal of the Founders Edition.
That will most likely mean free game updates alongside themed DLC collections for separate purchase, just like they did for the remainder of 2025 after the initial release. Maybe that does not rule out a major expansion in late 2026. But my bet for such an expansion would be more like early 2027.
My bet for an upcoming announcement is the introduction of a "season pass" for all scheduled DLC collections alongside a rough roadmap for those DLCs. So basically a renewal of the Founders Edition.
Theoretically, sure. I think that's a big if. If there is potential for change, the window for this round of testing would've been locked in advance. And to do so it would've need to have been positioned well in advance of any release.
Like, sure, let's say the feedback is "perfect" or unanimously "do this", maybe they can move the timeline up. But that's a big maybe.
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