Don’t plan too far ahead.
Civilization VI is set to get its next free update for all players and with it comes a new mode meant to stop you from planning too far ahead.
The Tech and Civics Shuffle Mode will randomize the order in which new technologies and civics unlock throughout the course of the game. This is typically set in stone–a rigid aspect of the game to be planned around informed both by early resources and the behaviour of your opponents later on–with choices having cascading consequences later on.
By introducing this mode the developers acknowledge it will in some ways make the game easier and in other ways make it more difficult. Not needing to plan so far ahead–being aware of every possible consequence for delaying a tech in favour of another–should take the edge off for overwhelmed players. But those who rely on that way of playing the game may find it difficult to adapt. Make of the mode as you will.
To keep it fair, the tech tree isn’t randomized for each player, but rather, everyone will play with the same set-up. As well, further research is tied to certain pathways regardless, with mining improvements coming as a direct result of the mining tech. All isn’t lost.
Myriad other changes will be included as well, the devs promise, highlighting the Natural Wonder Picker at the start of a game. With over 30 in game wonders available Firaxis hopes to offer flexibility in including and excluding wonders from the game, though when and where they will appear is still randomized and still hidden behind the fog. Improvements to Gathering Storm–including adjusting forest/jungle fires so they don’t burn endlessly–will be detailed in the patch notes at launch.
The free update for all Civ VI players drops August 27th.