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Can a Civ 6 Game Go On Forever? The Ultimate Guide

The short answer is: yes, a Civ 6 game can essentially go on forever, but with some caveats. The game has built-in mechanics to end a session – namely, victory conditions and a turn limit. However, these limits can be bypassed allowing near-endless gameplay. Let’s delve into the mechanics that govern game length and explore the possibilities of perpetual civilization building.

Understanding the Endgame in Civilization VI

Civilization VI, like its predecessors, is designed around the premise of building a civilization from the dawn of time to the modern era and beyond. The core loop revolves around technological advancement, territorial expansion, diplomatic relations, and strategic warfare. However, unlike a purely sandbox game, Civ 6 includes several paths to victory, as well as a default turn limit.

Victory Conditions: The Traditional Endgame

The most common way a Civ 6 game concludes is through achieving one of the recognized victory conditions. These include:

Domination Victory: Conquering the capital cities of all other civilizations.
Science Victory: Launching a Mars colony.
Culture Victory: Becoming the dominant cultural influence, attracting more tourists than other civilizations have domestic tourists.
Religion Victory: Converting all other civilizations to your founded religion.
Diplomatic Victory: Earning a specific number of diplomatic victory points through the World Congress.
Score Victory: If no other victory condition is met by the year 2050 (turn 500 on standard speed), the civilization with the highest score wins.

Once a player achieves a victory condition, the game traditionally presents the victory screen. However, players are then given the option to “One More Turn.”

The “One More Turn” Option: Where Forever Begins

This is where the possibility of an “infinite” game arises. By choosing to play “One More Turn” after a victory, the game continues. The catch is that no further victory screens will appear. You can continue to develop your civilization, wage war, research technologies, and build wonders, but you won’t be recognized as the official victor again. You can still continue to develop new technologies, improve your culture, and build great projects.

Disabling the Turn Limit: Truly Endless Gameplay

If you want to guarantee an absolutely endless game, you can disable the turn limit during game setup. In the Advanced Setup options, there’s a setting to remove the turn limit entirely. This ensures that the game will not end in the year 2050 (or whatever the corresponding year is for different game speeds). This is the purest way to achieve “forever” status in Civ 6.

Factors Affecting Game Length

Several factors influence how long a Civ 6 game takes, which in turn impacts whether you even reach the “One More Turn” scenario:

Game Speed: This setting (Quick, Standard, Epic, Marathon) directly impacts the number of turns required to progress through eras and complete projects. Slower speeds result in longer games.
Map Size: Larger maps naturally take longer to explore, develop, and conquer, extending the overall game length.
Difficulty Level: Higher difficulty levels can force you into more complex strategic situations, potentially slowing down your progress toward a victory condition.
Victory Condition Focus: If you’re laser-focused on a particular victory condition (e.g., Science Victory), you might end the game sooner than if you’re pursuing a more balanced approach.
Player Skill and Playstyle: Experienced players can often achieve victory faster than newcomers.
Number of Opponents: More opponents mean more potential for conflict and competition, which can either speed up or slow down the game depending on your strategy.

The Appeal of Endless Civilization

Why would anyone want to play a Civ 6 game “forever”? There are a number of compelling reasons:

Unfettered Experimentation: Without the pressure of winning, you can freely experiment with different strategies, city layouts, and technological paths.
Total World Domination: Some players simply enjoy the process of conquering the entire world, even if they’ve already achieved a Domination Victory.
Building a Utopian Society: An endless game allows you to focus on creating a perfect society, maximizing happiness, culture, and technological advancement without the constraints of competition.
Role-Playing: An endless game lets you deeply immerse yourself in the role of a civilization leader, shaping the world according to your own vision.
Testing the Limits: Some players enjoy pushing the game’s boundaries, seeing how far they can advance their technology, culture, and infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the length and endgame of Civilization VI games:

1. How many turns does a Civ 6 game last on standard speed?

A standard speed game typically lasts 500 turns, ending in the year 2050 AD if no other victory condition has been met.

2. Can you change the turn limit in Civ 6?

Yes, you can change the turn limit in the Advanced Setup options when starting a new game. You can set a custom year or disable the turn limit completely.

3. What happens when you reach the turn limit in Civ 6?

If the turn limit is reached and no player has achieved another victory condition, the player with the highest score wins a Score Victory.

4. Does Civ 6 end after you win?

No, you have the option to play “One More Turn” after achieving a victory condition. The game will continue, but you won’t receive another victory screen.

5. What is the fastest victory in Civ 6?

The Domination Victory can be one of the fastest, especially on lower difficulty levels, if you focus on military production and early aggression.

6. How long does a typical Civ 6 game take to play?

A standard speed game can take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours or more, depending on player skill, game speed, and other factors.

7. What is the last era in Civ 6?

The Future Era is the final era in Civilization VI, representing the most advanced technological stage.

8. Is there a way to see how many turns I’ve played in Civ 6?

Yes, the current turn number is displayed on the top of the screen during gameplay.

9. What are the different game speeds in Civ 6?

The game speeds are Quick, Standard, Epic, and Marathon, each affecting the number of turns required for research, production, and unit movement.

10. Can I still get achievements after winning and choosing “One More Turn”?

Yes, you can typically still earn achievements after continuing the game beyond a victory condition.

11. How does difficulty level affect game length in Civ 6?

Higher difficulty levels can increase game length by forcing you to overcome more challenging opponents and strategic situations.

12. Is Civ 6 a complex game to learn?

Civ 6 has a relatively steep learning curve, but the tutorial and in-game advisors can help new players get started. You can visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more resources on game-based learning.

13. Can you play Civ 6 multiplayer?

Yes, Civ 6 supports both online and local multiplayer modes, allowing you to compete against other players.

14. What is the best victory condition for beginners in Civ 6?

The Domination Victory can be a good starting point for beginners as it emphasizes military strategy and straightforward objectives.

15. Does Civ 6 have any mods that extend the game beyond the Future Era?

Yes, many mods are available that add new technologies, units, and even eras to the game, allowing for even more extended gameplay.

Conclusion

So, while Civ 6 is designed with victory conditions and turn limits in mind, the “One More Turn” option and the ability to disable the turn limit allow for near-endless gameplay. Whether you’re aiming for total world domination, building a utopian society, or simply enjoying the freedom of unlimited experimentation, Civ 6 offers the potential for a truly infinite civilization. It’s up to you to decide how long your civilization will endure. You can explore these concepts in the context of learning and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Can a Civ 6 game go on forever?