Civilization VII Unveils First Expansion "Earthrise" And Major Free Update

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1. 8d ago

   Civilization VII Announces Earthrise Expansion and Arc of Tomorrow Update

   Firaxis Games and 2K announced a paid expansion titled Earthrise and a free update called Arc of Tomorrow for Sid Meier's Civilization VII. Scheduled for 2027, the Arc of Tomorrow update introduces the atomic age and high-stakes arms races to the game. Firaxis describes the update as even bigger in scope than the previous Test of Time update. The Earthrise expansion will introduce space missions. These announcements occurred during a developer panel at PAX West 2026 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Civilization franchise.

   Why it matters

   The addition of the atomic age fills a gap in the game's chronological progression over two years after launch. This update focuses on making nuclear conflict more elaborate and interesting for players.

   What is confirmed

   • The first paid expansion for Civilization VII is titled Earthrise.
   • A free update called Arc of Tomorrow will introduce the atomic age to the game in 2027.
   • The Earthrise expansion will include space missions.
   • Firaxis Games and 2K announced these updates at PAX West 2026 to mark the 35th anniversary of the franchise.
   • Firaxis states the Arc of Tomorrow update is even bigger in scope than the Test of Time update.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Arc of Tomorrow update aims to make the threat of nuclear apocalypse more interesting.
   • Sign-ups are open for the Firaxis Feature Workshop regarding Arc of Tomorrow.

   What to watch next

   • Official release date for the Earthrise expansion
   • Specific gameplay mechanics for the atomic age arms races
   • Further details on space mission objectives in Earthrise
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Gematsu — Sid Meier’s Civilization VII major update ‘Arc of Tomorrow’ and paid expansion ‘Earthrise’ announced
   2. 2K Newsroom — Sid Meier's Civilization® VII Charts a New Course with Arc of Tomorrow Update and First Expansion, Earthrise
   3. Nintendo Everything — Civilization 7 announces "Arc of Tomorrow" update, first expansion titled "Earthrise"
   4. Polygon.com — Civilization 7 Officially Gets a Major Sci-Fi Update for 2027
   5. PC Gamer — Civilization 7 will finally enter the atomic age in 2027, via a free update Firaxis says will be 'even bigger in scope' than last year's Test of Time
   6. Sid Meier's Civilization — Watch the Civilization VII developer panel at PAX West 2026!
   7. Nintendo Life — Civilization VII Unveils First Expansion "Earthrise" And Major Free Update
   8. Kotaku — Civilization 7's Biggest Free Update Yet Will Finally Take It To The Atomic Age Over Two Years Later
   9. gamedaily.com — Firaxis Feature Workshop Returns, Sign-Ups Open For Arc Of Tomorrow
   10. Inven Global — Nukes, Space, Gandhi, and the Atomic Age Added... Civilization VII Is Completed
   11. gamermatters.com — Civilization VII Adding Atomic Age In Free Update, Space Missions In New Expansion
   12. gamesbeat.com — Sid Meier’s Civilization VII adds Arc of Tomorrow update and Earthrise expansion
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