Preorder XCOM, get Civ5 for free (if preorder threshold is hit)

[The_J]

In the case you still have not decided to buy Civilization 5, you can get it now for free if you preorder Firaxis new title XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
This only applies, if enough people preorder XCOM, and this threshold has not yet been hit. You don't have any disadvantages if you preorder it now, because you'll still get it if the limit is reached. Currently nearly 50% of the needed preorders are placed, and since it's still one month to go, the chances that the limit is reached seem pretty good .

And in case you already own Civ5: You can also gift the copy to somebody else .

If you have not decided yet if the new XCOM is something for you, you might also want to check out the latest "walkthrough" by Firaxis lead designer Jake Solomon:

Link to video.​

And thanks to Selous and sirtommygunn, who gave the hints for this news item.
In case you're interested to talk about the Civ5 aspect of this news, please see this thread, and if you'd rather like to talk about XCOM, see our thread in the "All Other Games" section.

Please note that the minimum requirements have recently been released, and that you will need at least Windows Vista, 20 GB of HDD space and a Steam Account for XCOM.

 

[S.ilver]

Note that the Civ5 preorder offer is only for preordering on Steam; not that it makes a huge difference, because it's going to require Steam anyways (Steam Workshop).

If, however, you don't care about Team Fortress 2 or Civ5 (and are a resident of the USA), you can preorder and save $5 on Amazon right now, while still getting the appearance pack as a preorder bonus.

 

[Pikkis]

Thanks for this. I was going to buy it, but 20GB? That would be too huge a bit of a 128GB SSD. Not really sure if it would've worked on my laptop anyway, even if the minimum requirements for performance don't seem so high. Disk space requirements have really gone up since Civ4.

 

[MqsTout]

#$%)(#$&*% Steam, a scourge on gaming. A pox that ruins it, for sure. $)(%&@#$()%*$

 

[BobDole]

#$%)(#$&*% Steam, a scourge on gaming. A pox that ruins it, for sure. $)(%&@#$()%*$

More like one of the things that'll keep PC gaming alive...

 

[MqsTout]

When you realize that Steam is *its own* platform, which isn't "PC gaming" but really is "Steam gaming"... I'd rather rely on the superior experience of PC gaming to keep it alive over consoles: smooth upgrade path; easier backwards compatibility [once you exclude DRM]; modding capabilities; less "prioprietariness" for peripherals, etc (eg, no forcibly limited storage); usually better interfaces; and so on.

I hope Valve does indeed release a "Steam Console". Maybe then people will fully realize that it is its own platform.

 

[Voyhkah]

Civ5 isn't worth that much.

 

[RD-BH]

Gameplay looks fantastic,
... blood/gore looks disgusting.

No preorder for me 8(
... unless I can turn blood/gore OFF.

[edit]
Soldier Speach OFF.
Nvidia Vibrance OFF.
... I find myself turning vibrance OFF just before missions
... and ON back at base

Result:
... campy '50s SciFi feel
... reduced vulgarity
... does not completely hide the more graphic deaths/eviscerations, but it helps

 

[Rupe]

More like one of the things that'll keep PC gaming alive...

No.........

 

[madmenno]

I have a lot of doubts that this comes even close to 50% the original had to offer. Sure the graphics are nice but it looks to me the addictive re-playable game-play is vanished.

 

[RD-BH]

I have a lot of doubts that this comes even close to 50% the original had to offer. Sure the graphics are nice but it looks to me the addictive re-playable game-play is vanished.

I agree with your observation.
Capturing the feel is nice but to remove the depth begins to sound like Civ5 ...
... an experience I have NOT enjoyed.


Other thoughts:

When JS said he cut things that didn't fit his playstyle, I thought "Here we go, again."
Humans have different tastes and personalities. Removing things JS personally didn't enjoy about the original does not necessarily equate to making a better game.
At the same time, making a game to appeal to the mass market doesn't equate to a better game either.

Myself, I'm disturbed that a game people enjoyed in their teens is now rated MA 17+.
Really? So, the bubblegum chewing, SciFi comic reading teenager is eschewed for what? ... the foul mouthed, mass murderer wannabe?
So far, I've seen the blood/gore/violence in clips but have not seen/heard language, and I really want to turn OFF the blood/gore graphics.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Gameplay looks fantastic,
... blood/gore looks disgusting.

No preorder for me 8(
... unless I can turn blood/gore OFF.

That is one of the strangest thing I have every encountered on the Internet.

 

[RD-BH]

That is one of the strangest thing I have every encountered on the Internet.

I apologize, but I'm not following your train of thought ... please, clarify.

Hmm ... If I can't turn off blood/gore ... I can turn vibrance down on my nVidia and play in grayscale (it actually looks like a campy '50s SciFi).

Cool 8)

 

[MadDjinn]

That is one of the strangest thing I have every encountered on the Internet.

Some countries require blood/gore to be turned off to sell it in their markets (Japan and Germany mainly). Others require it as an option to get a lower rating for sales to minors/etc (ESRB/etc).

 

[marcelteaching]

Gameplay looks fantastic,
... blood/gore looks disgusting.

No preorder for me 8(
... unless I can turn blood/gore OFF.

I completely agree. I sincerely hope that there is a way to turn it OFF. Like Gore=0

If anyone does find a way to turn it down/off, please post about it here.