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PolyCast 421: Unannounced? Why?

By The_J | January 16, 2026

The Polycast team is releasing some of their old episodes, which were not previously published due to circumstances with the editing. You can now download the PolyCast #421, which is from May 2023. The thread for this episode is here.

The four-hundred-and-twenty-first episode of PolyCast, “Unannounced? Why?“ is now available for streaming on the PolyCast YouTube Channel. This episode features regular co-hosts CanusAlbinus, Stephanie “Makahlua”, Phil “TheMeInTeam”, and Jason “MegaBearsFan”. Topics for this episode include:

News
– 00h07m12s | May 2023 Unannounced Patch
– 00h21m50s | New Bug Affecting CPU Priority
– 00h24m03s | ChatGPT Project with FreeCIv

Research Lab
– 00h31m56s | African Civ and City-State Suggestions
– 00h41m11s | Possibilities for Leader Pass 2

Civ7 Arcade Edition for Mac/iPad/iPhone

By The_J | January 15, 2026

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2K has announced that Civ7 will come to Apple Arcade, which is a comparable service to e.g. Xbox Game Pass (but for Apple devices, obviously). The Arcade Edition will be available for Mac, iPad and iPhone from February 5 on, and will be optimized for touch screens. As drawback, it was also announced that for now the Arcade Edition will not have multiplayer, will not get DLCs and patches might be delayed. At minimum iOS17 is required.

Costs for Apple Arcade are currently $6.99 per month, and the Civ7 Arcade Edition will be included, along the rest of the Apple Arcade catalogue.

You can find the Civ7 Arcade Edition here, and you can discuss with us here.

PolyCast 420: We Like Boats, and We Cannot Lie

By The_J | January 10, 2026

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The Polycast team is releasing some of their old episodes, which were not previously published due to circumstances with the editing. You can now download the PolyCast #420, which is from May 2023. The thread for this episode is here.

The four-hundred-and-twentieth episode of PolyCast, “We Like Boats, and We Cannot Lie“ is now available for streaming on the PolyCast YouTube Channel. This episode features regular co-hosts CanusAlbinus, Stephanie “Makahlua”, and Phil “TheMeInTeam”, and Jason “MegaBearsFan”. Topics for this episode include:

News
– 00h01m18s | The Kotaku Civ VI Re-review
– 00h23m24s | Age of Wonders 4 has been Released

Forum Talk
– 00h26m39s | Favorite Leader Pass Leader Poll
– 00h36m35s | AI Can Be Broken By A Single Incorrect Variable

Research Lab
– 00h45m48s | The Civilization 7 Wishlist (May 2023 Edition)

NOTE: This Episode was recorded on May 6, 2023.

New book: The Art and Making of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

By The_J | January 9, 2026

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Video game book author Rick Barba has published a new book, called “The Art and Making of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII“.
The book itself is obviously about Civ7, officially approved by Firaxis, with a foreword by Sid Meier himself. It contains various interviews with Firaxis employees, as well as concept art for Civ7.

The book costs $50 and currently only ships to the USA and Canada.
You can order it here: https://insighteditions.com/products/the-art-and-making-of-sid-meiers-civilization-vii

Play the new Civ7 “Game Of The Month” #14

By The_J | January 8, 2026

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New year, new round of civ! We again invite you to participate in the “Game Of The Month”, a competition among the civfanatics to deliver the best game with a predetermined savegame. If you want to see how your skills compare to the rest of the community in Civ7, then this is now your chance!

In the GOTM #14, you play as Harriet Tubman of Egypt (no civ change), on a standard size “shattered seas” map on Immortal level. You also have a light disaster intensity, and we require you to win the game via a militaristic victory in the modern age. You think you can tackle this challenge? Then get your savegame here, and submit the winning game before February 2.

Old World update #142

By Quintillus | January 7, 2026

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Mohawk Games, the developers of Old World, have released the latest update for their game! The main changes this time are a new Point Symmetry mirror option for multiplayer, healing shrines giving the Healer effect to all units, and a new ballista unit icon.

Discuss this update with us here (and read the full list of changes too).

Old World is currently available in the Epic Store, on GOG, Steam, and on Stove.

A trip down memory lane: Hodadian Award – Pride of the World – April, 2000

By The_J | January 5, 2026

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Our moderator Quintillus has done some internet archaeology, and has stumbled upon a range of artefacts from the year 2000. Apparently civfanatics has won 2 prizes anno 2000, and he wondered about the context for these prizes. He dug out a range of old civ fan sites, as well as some of their history. If you’re interested in civfanatics-once-upon-a-time, then check here.

Play the new Civ3 “Game Of The Month” #201 and #174

By The_J | January 1, 2026

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The new year has just started, and in case you are already feeling the urge to play another round of Civ3, then we got exactly the right thing for you: The new “Game Of The Month” for Civ3 is available!

For Civ3 with the addon “Play The World” we got the GOTM 201, where you play as the Zulu on a normal size pangaea map on regent level. As special rule you have that your starting Impis do not have any upkeep, but your opponents are technically advanced. If you feel like this could be a challenge, then get your starting savegame here, and submit a winning game until March 31!

For the addon “Conquests” we got the GOTM 174, where you play as the Aztecs on a standard size warm continents map with 60% water on deity level. You can get the starting savegame here, and submission deadline is also March 31.