Sid Meier's Civilization VII is Steam Deck Verified with the Linux version ahead of release on February 11

Quite a nice surprise! Sid Meier's Civilization VII from Firaxis Games / 2K has been given the green tick of approval from Valve, as it's now Steam Deck Verified ahead of release.

This verification was done on the Native Linux version too, so we're looking good to go for the February 11th release. Or, February 6th, if you have Advanced Access from one of the more expensive editions.

The developers have been giving out quite a lot more detail on it recently through various first-look videos and deeper dive blog-style posts. Like the Diplomacy, Influence, & Trade post on January 8th where it all sounds really interesting. The changes to the Diplomacy mechanic compared with the previous iteration sounds fun, which is less about what you can offer and more about your overall relationship with a new Influence currency. You get various actions that require this Influence currency including:

• Endeavors: These are mutually beneficial actions between two empires. For example, you can initiate a "Research Collaboration" request, giving both players Science per turn.
• Sanctions: These are negative actions against another empire. If you choose to "Hinder Military Production," you decrease the other player's military production output (and incur a Relationship penalty).
• Treaties: Longer-lasting decisions that have utility, such as a treaty to have "Open Borders" or to "Improve Trade Relations."
• Espionage: High-risk, high-reward actions that give you a bonus or inflict a negative effect on another empire, with a chance for your actions to be revealed. Getting caught engaging in espionage reduces your relation with your target and decreases how much Influence you earn for a time. An example of this is to "Steal Technology."

There's a lot of detail on the ins and outs of it that's worth a read!

If you don't hear from me after February 11th, I've probably got sucked a bit too much into Civilization VII.

Will you be picking it up? Have you pre-ordered? Let me know in the comments.