By Sagar V. Mankar 
A virtual reality (VR) version of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII has been announced, bringing the strategy game to Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets in Spring 2025. The VR adaptation is being developed in collaboration between PlaySide Studios, 2K, and Firaxis Games, marking the franchise’s first entry into VR.
The VR adaptation introduces a board game-like experience, displaying civilizations as interactive models in the player’s physical space through Meta Quest’s passthrough cameras. Players also have the option to engage in a fully virtual environment themed around their chosen leader’s historical setting.
One of the standout features of the VR edition is its unique approach to multiplayer. In online matches, rival leaders will appear as avatars seated around a virtual table, enhancing the sense of face-to-face diplomacy and strategic negotiations.
The game’s UI has also been redesigned to accommodate VR gameplay, offering a streamlined yet functional interface optimized for hand-tracking and motion controls. Given that Civilization games often involve long play sessions, the developers have implemented a faster-paced mode to keep matches more engaging while still allowing for deep strategic planning.
Initial reactions to the VR announcement have also been largely positive, with many players expressing enthusiasm for the new format. Some users on social media described it as an unexpected but welcome addition to the franchise. However, concerns were raised about the game’s UI design, with some players questioning whether its simplicity was influenced by VR considerations. Firaxis quickly responded to feedback, stating that UI updates are already in development and will implemented in future patches.
Civilization VII is now available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, with the VR version coming in the spring.