Civilization V and XCOM developer Firaxis has just announced the first expansion for Civilization: Beyond Earth. The fact that it's titled Rising Tide should give you an idea of what the game is set to offer.
As with expansions for Civilization V, Rising Tide will add new systems atop existing ones, such as the ability to build floating settlements and access resources hidden beneath the ocean waves. You'll soon be able to colonize and mine seas on the alien planets.
There's even going to be new biomes for players to explore and colonize, including one rife with volcanic activity.
Additionally, Rising Tide will also be expanding the role of diplomacy, allowing playeers to unlock new hybrid Affinity units and upgrades. Here's what else is in store:
- Building floating settlements and accessing natural resources hidden beneath the seas of the alien planet, while alien beasts with unique abilities inhabit the water and challenge players in distinctive ways
- Shaping the diplomatic landscape by upgrading traits, changing diplomatic relationships, and leveraging the benefits of your allies, all with political capital
- Unlocking a dynamic set of Diplomatic Traits while activating different combinations in response to the changing world
- Playing as one of four new factions, including the Al Falah, a group of nomad explorers descended from wealthy and resilient Middle Eastern states
- Investing in multiple Affinities to unlock hybrid Affinity units and upgrades for the first time;
- Collecting and combining alien relics via a new Artifact System that unlocks powerful benefits
- Exploring one of two new biomes, Primordial world, an untamed biome rife with volcanic activity and indicative of a chaotic landscape still forming in the new world
It's due out in the fall for the PC and Mac.
