Civilization 7 Quest VR Is Coming Way Sooner than Expected

by

The world of Civilization VII is about to get a major upgrade—this time, in virtual reality.

In an unexpected turn of events, you’ll be able to experience the PC and console versions of the game, but here’s something new: Civilization VII will exclusively release a VR version for Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets this coming Spring. This is the first time the Civ series is fully embracing virtual and mixed reality, and the anticipation is palpable.

The unexpected shift of Civilization VII to the VR realm took many by surprise, given the recent release of its flat-screen counterpart. However, rather than simply transferring the traditional strategy game to VR, PlaySide Studios and Firaxis Games have crafted an entirely novel experience tailored for VR environments. The game’s interface is significantly transformed, abandoning the top-down perspective in favor of a more interactive and immersive one.

One captivating feature of Civilization VII in VR is the Command Table, a setup reminiscent of board games that presents the entire game world before you as if it were an actual map in your living room. With Meta Quest’s passthrough cameras, the game brings the world map into your space, allowing for an immersive experience like never before. Additionally, players can toggle between mixed-reality (MR) and full VR modes at their convenience.

To streamline the VR experience, the gameplay has been adjusted for shorter gaming sessions. The game moves faster than its PC counterpart, allowing you to complete all the Ages in one sitting. However, if you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can adjust the speed according to your liking.

As a gamer, I’m really excited about the adjustments being made to Civilization VII VR to ensure a comfortable gaming experience during extended sessions, helping to combat the dreaded VR fatigue. The VR adaptation brings new and exciting features, but some of us are still a bit on edge about how these innovations will unfold. With life-sized leaders and the Command Table, there’s a touch of apprehension regarding how the game will navigate physical space within our real-world settings.

The potential applications of Mixed Reality (MR) in Civilization (Civ) are still largely unexplored, and its impact on the player’s gaming environment could significantly influence the overall gameplay experience. However, the ability to effortlessly switch between MR and conventional Virtual Reality (VR) modes offers players a chance to experiment and choose the mode that best resonates with them. As we approach the projected spring 2025 launch, there is uncertainty about how the developers will balance Civ’s expansive scale with VR limitations.

But love it or hate it, this VR version has the potential to liven up the Civ series.

Read More

2025-02-10 04:42