Civilization Turns 35: Firaxis Launches Massive Steam Sale

The iconic 4X strategy series Sid Meier’s Civilization is celebrating its 35th anniversary. To mark the milestone, publisher 2K and developer Firaxis Games have launched a massive sale on Steam, allowing fans to both test the latest installment for free and expand their libraries with classic titles at significant discounts.

Free Access to Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

The highlight of the celebration is the opportunity to play the latest strategy title for free. Until  7:00 PM CEST on September 10, Steam users have full access to Sid Meier’s Civilization VII with no functional limitations. Notably, all game progress made during the trial period will carry over to the full version if you decide to purchase the game.

Steam Franchise Sale

In addition to the free trial, the Steam store is hosting a sale covering the entire history of the franchise. The available discounts are listed below:

Civilization Series Discount Table

Series Evolution and Future Plans

The developers are not stopping at just sales. Firaxis will soon host a series of streams dedicated to the future development plans for Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. These live broadcasts can be followed on the company’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. Civilization VII launched in early 2025 across all modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. Despite a mixed initial reception from the gaming community, the project is evolving rapidly, with the Firaxis team regularly releasing patches to address flaws and improve game stability.

Over 35 years, Civilization has evolved from a single computer strategy game into an entire gaming era. Generations of players have started with small settlements, built empires, waged wars, formed alliances, and clicked the “next turn” button over and over again, promising themselves it would be the last one. The anniversary Steam sale offers a chance to relive that journey, whether with the latest installment or a classic title.

For Civilization VII, this is both a chance to attract new players and an opportunity to win back those disappointed by the game’s state at launch. Free access removes the primary barrier to entry, while continued development proves that Firaxis is committed to the long-term success of its flagship strategy. There is arguably no better way to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the series than by giving players one more reason to say “just one more turn”—only to find it’s already morning.