Civilization VII’s Earthrise Expansion and Arc of Tomorrow Update Map Out a 2027 Space Race
Firaxis Games has revealed what’s next for Civilization VII heading into 2027: a free update called Arc of Tomorrow and the game’s first paid expansion, Earthrise. Together they chart an ambitious year of post-launch support for the strategy game, pushing the playable timeline from the mid-20th century into a new space race.
Arc of Tomorrow Free Update
Arc of Tomorrow is a complimentary update that extends Civilization VII’s playable timeline into the Atomic Age, spanning roughly the 1950s through 2050. It introduces period-specific mechanics, a redesigned nuclear strategy system, new buildings and units, and a visual refresh for the era. Firaxis has said this update arrives before the paid expansion, giving every player — not just expansion owners — new late-game content to play with.
Earthrise: Racing to Space
Earthrise is Civilization VII’s first major paid expansion, and it’s built around humanity’s space exploration, drawing on the real-world historic space race. Firaxis describes missions playing out across the solar system as part of the expansion’s new systems, and the studio has committed to revealing more in the coming months, including new gameplay systems, content updates, and additional civilizations and leaders.
What We Still Don't Know
Beyond the space-race framing, Firaxis hasn’t named specific civilizations, leaders, or detailed mechanics for Earthrise yet. Both the free update and the expansion are planned for 2027, with the studio framing it as ‘prepare for liftoff’ — a sign Civilization VII’s post-launch roadmap is far from finished. For a closer look at who’s already strong in the current patch, see our Civilization VII leader tier list.
Stock Up on Civilization VII
While Earthrise is still a way off, there’s plenty to play right now. Pick up Sid Meier’s Civilization VII PC or go all-in with the Civilization VII Deluxe Edition PC, and top up with a Steam Wallet Code (US) for whatever comes next. You can also follow the expansion directly on its Steam store page.
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