How Big is Civilization VI with All the Bells and Whistles? A Deep Dive into Storage Space
So, you’re ready to conquer the world, build empires, and lead your civilization from the Stone Age to the Space Age? Excellent! But before you dive headfirst into the captivating world of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, you’re probably wondering: How much space will this epic journey take up on my hard drive?
The short answer: Expect Civilization VI with all DLC to clock in around 25-35 GB. This can vary slightly based on your operating system, updates, and any high-resolution texture packs you might add. Let’s break down why that number can fluctuate and what you’re actually getting. The base game itself takes a smaller chunk of memory, but expansions and DLCs have larger files, making it all add up.
Unpacking the Gigabytes: A Size Breakdown
Here’s a more detailed look at the components contributing to Civ VI’s total size with all content:
- Base Game: The original Civilization VI typically sits around 12-15 GB. This is the core experience, providing the foundation for all the additional content.
- Rise and Fall Expansion: This expansion adds new civilizations, leaders, government options, and the loyalty system. Expect it to add roughly 4-6 GB.
- Gathering Storm Expansion: Focusing on environmental effects and engineering projects, Gathering Storm also adds new civilizations and gameplay mechanics, contributing another 5-7 GB.
- New Frontier Pass DLC Packs: This pass includes six individual DLC packs, each containing new civilizations, leaders, game modes, and scenarios. This content collectively adds approximately 5-8 GB.
- Leader Packs & Other DLC: Numerous smaller DLC packs feature additional leaders and scenarios. These generally contribute around 2-4 GB cumulatively.
- High-Resolution Texture Packs (Optional): If you’re running the game on a high-end PC, you might opt for high-resolution textures, further increasing the game’s size.
Keep in mind that these are estimates. Patches and updates released after the game’s initial launch also contribute to the total storage size. It’s always best to check the official system requirements on your platform of choice (Steam, Epic Games Store, etc.) for the most accurate information.
Navigating the Different Editions: Anthology vs. Platinum
You might encounter different editions of Civilization VI, each offering varying amounts of content. Two popular choices are the Anthology and Platinum editions. Here’s how they differ:
Civilization VI: Platinum Edition
This edition typically includes the base game, the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, and a selection of six DLC packs. It’s a great starting point for players looking to experience the core Civ VI experience with significant enhancements.
Civilization VI: Anthology
The Anthology edition is the definitive experience. It includes everything: the base game, both major expansions (Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm), all six New Frontier Pass DLC packs, and additional leader and scenario DLC packs. If you want the complete Civilization VI experience, this is the way to go. Of course, that also means a larger install size.
Optimizing Storage Space: Tips and Tricks
Need to free up some space on your hard drive? Here are a few tips for managing Civ VI’s storage footprint:
- Uninstall Unused DLC: If you’ve purchased individual DLC packs but aren’t actively using them, consider uninstalling them to reclaim storage space. You can always reinstall them later.
- Check for High-Resolution Texture Packs: If you’re running the game on a system that doesn’t require high-resolution textures, disabling them can save a significant amount of space.
- Clear Cache Files: Over time, Civ VI can accumulate temporary files and cache data. Clearing these files can free up some storage space.
- Consider an External Drive: If you’re running low on internal storage, consider installing Civilization VI on an external hard drive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the storage requirements and other aspects of Civilization VI:
1. How much GB is Civilization 6 without any DLC?
The base game of Civilization VI, without any DLC, typically requires around 12-15 GB of storage space.
2. Does Civilization VI Anthology include all DLC?
Yes, the Civilization VI Anthology edition includes absolutely all DLC released for the game, including the base game, expansions, and all the New Frontier Pass content and other smaller DLC packs.
3. Does Civ 6 Platinum include all DLC?
No, the Platinum Edition doesn’t include all DLC. It includes the base game, the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, and a selection of six DLC packs, but it is not the complete collection.
4. What’s the difference between Civ 6 platinum and anthology?
The key difference is content. Anthology provides everything Civ 6 has to offer, including all expansions and DLC. Platinum gives you the two main expansions (Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm) and a limited set of DLC.
5. Is Civ 6 free forever?
No, Civilization VI is not free forever. It was temporarily offered for free on the Epic Games Store in the past, but that promotion has ended. Now, you typically need to purchase the game through a digital storefront.
6. When did Civ 5 release?
Civilization V was initially released on September 21, 2010, for Microsoft Windows. Versions for OS X and Linux followed later.
7. Which Civ 6 DLC has zombies?
The “Zombie Defense” game mode is introduced in the Portugal Pack DLC for Civilization VI.
8. What is the max stockpile in Civ 6?
The maximum stockpile for each resource in Civ 6 is initially 50. Constructing Encampment buildings (Barracks, Armory, etc.) increases the maximum stockpile by 10 per building for all resources.
9. How long does it take to 100% Civ 6?
Achieving 100% completion in Civilization VI can be a significant time investment, potentially taking around 328 hours for dedicated players.
10. Is Civ 6 a heavy game?
Civilization VI can be relatively demanding on your CPU and GPU, especially on larger maps or with numerous civilizations. Running the game smoothly may require a mid-range to high-end gaming PC.
11. Is Civilization 6 replayable?
Absolutely! Civilization VI offers incredible replayability due to the variety of civilizations, leaders, map types, and gameplay modes. The random nature of the “Shuffle” map makes each game unique.
12. How much memory does Civ 6 need?
The minimum system requirements for Civ 6 include at least 4 GB of RAM. However, 8 GB or more is recommended for a smoother experience, especially with expansions and high settings.
13. Does Civ 6 end at 2050?
In a standard game of Civilization VI, the game ends in the year 2050 AD (or 500 turns). The player with the highest score at that point wins if no other victory condition has been met.
14. Which Civ is better 5 or 6?
The choice between Civ 5 and Civ 6 is subjective. Civ 5 offers incentives for playing “tall” (focusing on a few powerful cities), while Civ 6 encourages a more expansive approach with numerous cities.
15. What is vanilla Civ 6?
“Vanilla” Civ 6 refers to the original base game without any expansions, DLC, or mods. It’s the unadulterated core experience of the game.
Concluding Thoughts: Prepare for World Domination
Understanding the storage requirements for Civilization VI with all DLC is essential for planning your gaming setup. By knowing what to expect in terms of file sizes, you can ensure you have enough space to enjoy this epic strategy game to its fullest extent. So, clear some hard drive space, grab the Anthology edition, and prepare to lead your civilization to glory! Just remember to take breaks. You can find research related to games and learning on websites like Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.