Civilization 7 Is Getting a VR Port, But There’s a Catch

Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 is getting a virtual reality port, which will be a first for the franchise. However, the VR version of Civilization 7 comes with a catch: it will be limited by platform exclusivity.

The seventh numbered entry in the long-running series of 4X strategy games is set to release for PC and consoles on February 11. Players who purchased one of the higher-tier editions of Civilization 7 have been able to start playing it as early as February 5 or 6, depending on their time zone.

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Ahead of Civilization 7‘s full-fledged international release, Firaxis and 2K announced a VR version of the game. Simply called Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 VR, the port was revealed during the February 8 Civ World Summit event. The first-ever Civilization game for virtual reality headsets will only be available on the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. It’s unclear whether this platform exclusivity is of the timed or permanent variety. Regardless, its very presence suggests that the project was funded by Meta—partially or in its entirety.

Civilization 7 VR Will Support Both VR and MR Gameplay

Civilization 7 VR is being handled by the virtual reality veterans at Australia-based PlaySide Studios. The game will leverage the front-facing cameras of the Meta Quest 3 headset line to deliver a mixed reality experience, placing a diorama-like “Command Table” wherever the player looks. As such, Civilization 7 VR will deliver a tabletop-like take on the series’ 4X strategy gameplay. True to its name, the game will also offer a virtual reality mode, with players being able to switch between a VR and MR perspective on the fly. Another unique feature of the upcoming port is the ability to view detailed dioramas commemorating one’s gameplay achievements in The Archives. These, too, will be examinable from both an MR and VR perspective.

Civilization 7 VR Targeting Spring 2025 Release

Civilization 7 VR can already be wishlisted on the Meta Store. No release date has yet been attached to the project, although 2K said that the title is targeting a spring 2025 launch, so more information on this front is bound to arrive soon. Perspective differences aside, Civilization 7 VR aims to deliver a gameplay experience that’s equivalent to the PC and console versions of the game, online multiplayer included. While this presumably means that the VR port will also receive all future DLC content, 2K has yet to outright confirm that.

Although its early reviews aren’t as good as those of its predecessors, Civilization 7 generated significant commercial momentum on the strength of its pre-orders alone. In terms of grievances, players and reviewers have so far complained about the game being rough around the edges, citing performance problems and UI issues as some examples of this perceived lack of polish. Firaxis pledged to address these complaints with future updates.

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February 11, 2025