Civilization VII Unveils First Expansion “Earthrise” And Major Free Update
Firaxis Games announced plans for Civilization VII as the series celebrates its 35th anniversary. The developer revealed that 2027 will bring “Arc of Tomorrow,” a major free update introducing the Atomic Age and extending the game’s playable timeline to 2050, significantly beyond the previously available 1950s endpoint.
The studio emphasized that Arc of Tomorrow will be “even bigger in scope” than last year’s Test of Time update, which arrived in May 2026 and brought significant mechanical overhauls and attracted a fresh influx of players. Despite this content, Civilization VII has remained divisive since launch, with Steam reviews currently at “Mixed” (51% positive).
One notable gap the Atomic Age update will address is modern nuclear warfare gameplay. While the game previously allowed atomic weapon deployment via World War 2-era bombers, it lacked more contemporary nuclear capabilities that have been standard features in previous Civilization entries. Arc of Tomorrow will introduce these missing mechanics.
The announcement also referenced the first expansion pack, titled “Earthrise,” though specific details about the paid expansion were not disclosed. These updates reflect Firaxis’ commitment to expanding Civ VII’s scope and addressing long-standing player feedback regarding features missing compared to earlier series entries.