Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagon tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire. The brand new engine orchestrates a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ experience than ever, featuring fully animated leaders interacting with players from a screen-filling diplomatic scene and speaking in their native language for the first time. Wars between empires feel massive as armies dominate the landscape, and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging players to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield. In addition to the new gameplay features debuting in Civilization V, an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements will also make an appearance.

Pre-Order Civ 5 At:

• Amazon.com and get the Asia map pack: The Indus River valley was home to the early Harappan civilization while the Yellow River valley in China saw the rise of the earliest Chinese dynasties. Both these regions are included on the same map.
• Walmart and get the The Americas map pack: Although civilization blossomed later in the western hemisphere, the region from Peru in the south to Mexico in the north was just as important as an incubator for the development of ancient cultures. This map spans this rugged area of jungles and highlands.
• Gamestop/EBGames and get the Mediterranian map pack: The period of Classical Antiquity saw the rise of city states from Phoenicia, Greece, and later Rome and Persia. Their struggles all centered on the great sea in the “Middle of the Earth," hence the name Mediterranean. This map covers the entire Mediterranean basin including the nearby peninsulas and coasts where these great empires grew and prospered.
• Steam and get the Mesopotamia map pack: This is the traditional Western and Middle Eastern “Cradle of Civilization." It includes the Fertile Crescent, with the Nile River valley to the west and extending east down the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys to the Persian Gulf.
• Direct2Drive and get Civilization III Complete and Free Double Civilization And Scenario Pack

Key Features:

• Believable World: More than just a strategy game -- the expanded visuals and immersive audio invite would-be kings to take up the reigns of power and forge a mighty empire.  Civilization V offers a limitless variety of vast, realistic and diverse landscapes for players to explore, battle over and claim as their own.
• Inviting Presentation: An intuitive interface eases both new players and Civ veterans into the game. Guided by a set of trusted advisers who will explain game functionality and provide counsel for significant decisions, even first-time players will be confident in the choices they make.
• Huge Battles: Combat is more exciting and engaging than ever before. Wars between empires feel massive with armies spreading across the landscape. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging players to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield.
• Live History:  Write your own epic story each time you play! Choose one of eighteen historical civilizations to lead from the stone-age to the space age on your quest to build the world’s most powerful empire.
• Improved Diplomacy: Negotiate with some of history’s most cunning rulers, each with a well-crafted plan for victory. Successful diplomacy will depend on players carefully managing relationships with other leaders, trading items and land, plying them with gold, and deciding if they are friend or foe. City States will present a new diplomatic battleground on which the major powers of the world will vie for supremacy.
• In-Game Community Hub: Compete with Civ players from all over the globe via the Internet and Play by Email, or compete locally in Hotseat and LAN matches, offering endless ways to rule the world. The game itself now serves as the hub of community activity, featuring the ability to share scenarios, compare scores, brag about achievements and visit one of the thriving Civ fansites without leaving the game. It’s now easier than ever for players to become involved in the global Civ Community.
• Modability: With unprecedented modding tools, players will have unlimited options for modifying Civilization V any way they like.

System Requirements

• Minimum System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows XP SP3/ Windows Vista SP2/ Windows 7
  • Processor: Dual Core CPU
  • Memory: 2GB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
  • DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation
  • Video: 256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better, or Core i3 or better integrated graphics
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
  • DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c
• Recommended System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows Vista SP2/ Windows 7
  • Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
  • DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation
  • Video: 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
  • DirectX: DirectX version 11

Other Requirements: Initial installation requires one-time Internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries and Microsoft DirectX.