Civilization VII’s Major “Test of Time” Update Arrives May 19
Today, 2K and Firaxis Games announced that Sid Meier’s Civilization VII’s long-awaited Test of Time Update will launch as a free update for all players on May 19. The update introduces several major gameplay changes, including the ability to remain as a single civilisation throughout an entire campaign, alongside a complete overhaul of the game’s Victory systems.
Many of the changes appear to directly address feedback from longtime Civilization fans following the game’s launch. One of the most common criticisms from the community centred around civilisation switching between Ages, something Firaxis is now giving players more control over. The headline addition is the new “Time-Tested Civs” system. Players will now be able to begin a game with any civilisation from any Age and choose whether they want to continue using that same civilisation during Age transitions. AI opponents will also follow the player’s chosen ruleset, either remaining as a single civ or changing alongside the progression of the Ages.
Firaxis has also completely reworked how Victories function in Civilization VII. The new system focuses more heavily on establishing dominance in one of four categories: Military, Economy, Culture, or Science. Progress toward these victory conditions can begin as early as the Antiquity Age, with players potentially able to secure a win during the Exploration Age. Another major change sees Legacy Paths removed entirely and replaced with a new system called Triumphs. Designed to make each campaign feel more unique, Triumphs introduce optional objectives tied to the game’s six core Attributes: Militaristic, Cultural, Scientific, Economic, Diplomatic, and Expansionist.
While Firaxis appears committed to addressing many of the community’s biggest concerns, some players will likely still be hoping for further adjustments to the pacing and structure of the Modern Age, which remains one of the more divisive aspects of Civilization VII’s current design.
