As my good friend Fraser can attest, the Civilization games have ruined many a good relationship, friendship, or have been the sole cause of failings classes. Firaxis is at it again, having announced Civilization V. I spent way too many late nights playing Civilization IV (just one more fucking turn) and it put a large strain on my relationship with my wife (who was my girlfriend at the time). Still, I can't wait for the Fall to arrive with this game.

Press Release wrote: 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.