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Civilization VI [Steam] is being ported to Linux by Aspyr Media and I’m seriously excited for the release. I’m able to confirm a little early for you that it will release on February 9th.

Aspyr Media will announce this all today to confirm I am correct. To settle any doubt, I previously confirmed that it really was coming. Update: Aspyr Media tweeted to confirm this.

For the multiplayer side, Aspyr Media have confirmed that the Linux version will be compatible with the Mac version. Neither will currently be compatible with Windows, I will have more about that in my interview with them which will be published after the release.

Due to the delay, they will also be releasing the Linux version along with a discount on all versions of the game.

We will have a livestream on the day of release, so prepare your eyes for a treat of my attempts to take over the world — badly. Keep an eye on our Twitch channel for notifications: https://www.twitch.tv/gamingonlinux
I will attempt to make this livestream last an entire game, or until I really do have to do something else.

Required specifications
OS: Ubuntu 16.04 / SteamOS
CPU: Intel Core i3 530 or AMD A8-3870
CPU Speed: 2.93 GHz
RAM: 6 GB
Hard Disk Space: 15 GB
GPU (NVIDIA): GeForce 650 (AMD and Intel GPUs are not currently supported)
VRAM: 1 GB

About the game
Civilization VI offers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map, active research in technology and culture unlocks new potential, and competing leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race for one of five ways to achieve victory in the game.

We shall have our review up at release. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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About the author -
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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rkfg Feb 6, 2017
Uhh, what's up with that non-fully-crossplatform multiplayer? I understand if there are issues with deterministic RTS engines, math could be slightly different on each platform and in the end the butterfly effect causes heavy desyncs. But in a turn-based strategy?.. Weird. The Steam page doesn't have a "Crossplatfom multiplayer" badge, however, in the system requirements there's a footnote "Additional Notes: NOTICE: It is possible for Mac and PC to become out of sync during updates or patches. Within this short time period, Mac users will only be able to play other Mac users." So, the Mac users can play with the Windows users and Linux users can play only with Mac users. What would happen then if a Mac user hosts a game and then both Linux and Windows users connect? Something's wrong here.
Kohrias Feb 6, 2017
Thanks for the update, Liam. I have an AMD RX 480 but I am thinking about getting Civ VI despite the lack of official support. Does Aspyre give any indication about the state of the game on AMD?
Liam Dawe Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: rkfgUhh, what's up with that non-fully-crossplatform multiplayer?
As noted, I will have more information on that in the interview that will be ready after the release.
Quoting: KohriasThanks for the update, Liam. I have an AMD RX 480 but I am thinking about getting Civ VI despite the lack of official support. Does Aspyre give any indication about the state of the game on AMD?
Will have info on that at release.


Last edited by Liam Dawe on 6 February 2017 at 2:15 pm UTC
rkfg Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: GuestAlthough I do find the reviews still very mixed.
It's the recent ones which are mixed, overall reviews are fine. After DXMD I started to actually read the negative reviews, because it turns out often people rage over quite silly subjects like DLCs or preorders. The game itself could be fine.
Mountain Man Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: rkfgUhh, what's up with that non-fully-crossplatform multiplayer? I understand if there are issues with deterministic RTS engines, math could be slightly different on each platform and in the end the butterfly effect causes heavy desyncs. But in a turn-based strategy?.. Weird.
Pretty sure Civ 6 multiplayer games have an odd simultaneous turn system where everybody makes their moves at the same time during any given turn, and the game only progresses to the next round once everybody has clicked the "End Turn" button.
apocalyptech Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: rkfgUhh, what's up with that non-fully-crossplatform multiplayer? I understand if there are issues with deterministic RTS engines, math could be slightly different on each platform and in the end the butterfly effect causes heavy desyncs. But in a turn-based strategy?.. Weird.

Yeah, it's definitely weird nowadays. I know that the Loki port of SMAC couldn't do cross-platform multiplayer because the protocol that was used on the Windows version literally sent in-memory objects over the wire to the far end (or something along those lines, anyway), which of course would require basically the exact same code on both ends. I can't imagine anything like that happening nowadays, though.

QuoteThe Steam page doesn't have a "Crossplatfom multiplayer" badge, however, in the system requirements there's a footnote "Additional Notes: NOTICE: It is possible for Mac and PC to become out of sync during updates or patches. Within this short time period, Mac users will only be able to play other Mac users." So, the Mac users can play with the Windows users and Linux users can play only with Mac users. What would happen then if a Mac user hosts a game and then both Linux and Windows users connect? Something's wrong here.

Well, generally with that kind of thing, the systems will just refuse to talk to each other if the versions don't match. That, at least, makes sense - you'd want to have the same game version number for everyone playing the game, otherwise you could have all sorts of weird unintended and unpredictable behavior. There've been many other multiplayer games which have that kind of restriction as well.
rkfg Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: apocalyptechI can't imagine anything like that happening nowadays, though.
Huh, Java does that in some enterprise frameworks. I remember there was a vulnerability recently that allowed a client to send an arbitrary serialized object (with the actual code, IIRC) to a server and pwn it. I hope games don't do it.

Quoting: apocalyptechWell, generally with that kind of thing, the systems will just refuse to talk to each other if the versions don't match.
True, but if Mac⇔Windows work and Mac⇔Linux work as well, they should all have the same version number. I hope it'll get resolved soon anyway, I believe in Aspyr.
johnhannibalsmith Feb 6, 2017
Quoting: GuestAwesome news :) about time! :D

Although I do find the reviews still very mixed.
Just have to see for myself anyway.

I think that if you are a fan of the Civ series you almost have to get it just to try the new flavor. It is definitely unique enough in the strategic building/planning sense (for a Civ game) to give you a reason to start a new game.

In some ways it seems like a bit of overkill (torturing yourself to squeeze the modifier lemon dry), or it may be that I just have a hard time going with the flow knowing choices have a bit more consequence when it comes to research and building. I don't love the game the way that I loved its predecessor when I started playing it, but agreeing with another poster, warts and all it still seems hard to justify a truly negative review about gameplay. Unless you hate surprise war. :)
Aryvandaar Feb 6, 2017
If it's not compatible with Windows for multi-player then I won't buy this game.

I'll just continue to play Civ 5 with friends.


Last edited by Aryvandaar on 6 February 2017 at 2:58 pm UTC
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