Civilization: Beyond Earth is coming. By the end of the week, all of you can be hopelessly addicted to playing as you seek to colonize the new world. However, Firaxis knows that not everyone has played Civilization V to death like I have. So, they’re offering it for free… for a couple of days.
Over on Steam, Sid Meier’s Civilization is listed as “Play for free until 23 Oct @ 10:00am”. That’s right, you can basically fill your time until Civilization: Beyond Earth launches by playing Civilization V, and realize that the science victory is essentially the opening to the new game.
I’m not entirely sure who this is targeted at. Most Civilization fans will already own Civilization V, and those who aren’t fans might not be excited about Civilization: Beyond Earth anyway. Plus, there are very few mechanics in common across the two games; they feature really different gameplay and people who play Civ V for free and then pick up Beyond Earth will be really confused and surprised.
Still, I’m always happy to hear about awesome games being available for free, and Civilization V is one such fantastic game. Just don’t expect for a couple free days to be enough – once you’re addicted, it will easily eat up far too many hours of your life. Now Firaxis just has to make sure that they’ve found that same formula for Civilization: Beyond Earth.
Do you already own Civ V, or will you be test driving it this week as long as it’s free?
Last Updated: October 21, 2014
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 09:47
It applies to me Zoe!
Damn it
I haven’t played Civ V yet, that’s why 🙂 (please don’t unfriend me on Steam because of it – this applies to everyone)
But I loved Civ IV and all its predecessors. Also, I’m so super amped for Beyond Earth.
Admiral Chief 0
October 21, 2014 at 09:48
Same here, loved Civ IV, got Civ 5 and still not installed.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 09:49
I don’t even have Civ V.
But I’m up for some sci-fi action though.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 21, 2014 at 09:48
I own Civ 5… don’t ask me when I’ll play it.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 09:50
When will you play it?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 21, 2014 at 09:53
I have no eye deer.
Admiral Chief 0
October 21, 2014 at 09:53
So, play it for free only this weekend?
So the first 20 turns then? Or the tutorial?
😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 21, 2014 at 09:54
First 20 turns, and then one more turn… what… it’s Monday?
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 09:55
One does not simply only play 20 turns. That’s where they catch you.
By next week Thursday the people will still be sitting behind their pc’s, having missed work and gotten left by their girlfriends and they’ll be like: “Just. One. More. Turn”
Jedi Consular Kromas
October 21, 2014 at 10:14
That could be the whole damn franchise’s catchphrase “Just one. more. turn.”
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 10:14
Haha. Pretty much. I play Warlock too, but nothing beats the addictiveness of a Civ game.
Jedi Consular Kromas
October 21, 2014 at 10:16
WoW beats civ. Thought I beat the addiction 2 years back yet every night im online trying to farm frogs.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 10:17
Haha. Never played WoW. And I think I’m glad about that. Saved myself from losing friends. ;P
Jedi Consular Kromas
October 21, 2014 at 10:17
Converted my friends into wow players.
geel slang
October 21, 2014 at 09:56
Civ: BE is one of the games I want the most in this release window. Love the franchise.
Jedi Consular Kromas
October 21, 2014 at 10:15
Pre-ordered as soon as it hit steam but I am deadly busy trying to get my legendary cloak in wow before time runs out that I may not start playing it for a while.
Jedi Consular Kromas
October 21, 2014 at 10:12
Own it played it … most likely won’t play it for free 😛
Brady miaau
October 21, 2014 at 10:21
I am actually counting the days till Friday. Going to have a lot of fun with this puppy!
but Civ V for free, hhm, not sold on it as brining new folk to Beyond Earth. Maybe I am wrong.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 10:29
I agree. Maybe in the long run it’ll work. If people try out Civ 5 and like it they’ll get BE eventually at some later stage.
Bob the Zealot
October 21, 2014 at 10:27
If you pre-ordered Civ: BE on Steam then it’s available for pre-load.
There we go, my good deed is done for the day.
Captain JJ in the shadow
October 21, 2014 at 10:28
I saw. It’s damn difficult to not buy it when you can do that now.
Brady miaau
October 21, 2014 at 12:53
My wife is not Steam aware, she bought my copy off Takelot.com. Curiously, I got an SMS the same day for the same amount from the my cheque account……..
Kensei Seraph - Staff
October 21, 2014 at 11:55
This reminds me of when Diablo II got it’s no-CD patch just before Diablo 3.
Brady miaau
October 21, 2014 at 16:59
Looking at the picture, it reminds me that I have not finished a game of Civ V in a very long time. I start them, of course.
WhiteRock
October 22, 2014 at 07:34
I have CIV V and it’s taken away so much of my life that I’m scared to install it again…;-)