Love it or hate it, Sid Meier's Civilization V is still going strong and the team are still listening to user feedback and updating the game accordingly; sometimes even rolling out updates as big as today's.

We have a full list of patch notes for you right here, but it's an across-the-board update, affecting the likes of User Interface, AI, Gameplay and Diplomacy (an area that really did need a fair bit of balancing or whole components overhauled).

Are you still playing the game? And if so, can you see any of these listed notes impacting the game positively for you?

Firaxis and 2K Games have revealed the next bout of DLC for Civilization V, Denmark: The Vikings and an all-new Explorer's Pack which will feature 10 new multiplayer maps.

In 1066: Year of Viking Destiny, the throne of England is up for grabs. Take the role of one of four leaders and seize control of the British Isles! Special rules for the scenario ensure that the only way to win is by the cunning use of force. Can you complete the Domesday Book and secure legal rule before your rivals? Use unique units for each faction in the scenario to claim the throne and stand the test of time.

Both DLC packs will be available for download from May 3 at AU$5.99 each.

2K Games and Firaxis have released a handful of new maps as downloadable content for Civilization V, all pooled from the same group they're calling the "Cradle of Civilization".

You can grab the Mediterranean, Asia, the Americas or Mesopotamia - each for US$2.99, or all as one pack for US$9.99 from Steam. As far as I can tell, there's no price difference for Australia barring our current conversion rate (in that, there's no 'specific' Aussie hiked price-point). Click here for more info from Steam, and the thumbnails below for a better look at the new maps.

Mac owners looking to get into Civilization V need only wait till the end of the month, according to the guys behind the Mac version, Aspyr, who have set a release date of November 23.

While Steam don't have the game listed as yet in any sort of pre-order or coming soon form, Kotaku points out that you can pick the game up at GameAgent.com, though I'm not sure how the pricing for Aussies will work (if you're a Mac owner and have bought from GameAgent before, drop us a line in the comments).

Check out our review of Civ V right here.

For those not already struggling with "turn addiction" we've got just what you need today. Courtesy of the lovely folk at 2K Games Australia, AusGamers has 5 copies of Civilization V Special Edition for PC and accompanying "CivAnon" T-Shirts to giveaway.

Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagon tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire.

The special edition is a pretty sweet kit that, in addition to the PC Game DVD, also contains the following:

• Five metal figurines based on units from Civilization V and manufactured by Reaper Miniatures
  
• 2 disc CD soundtrack of game score selections
  
• DVD "Behind the Scenes at Firaxis on Civilization V"
  
• 176 page hardcover art book

Entering is as easy as always so head over to our Civilization V competition page to try your hand.

Firaxis' Jon Shafer recently made a post over at the Quarter to Three forums regarding the next patch for Civilization V.

There are several things which we are looking at improving with Civ 5. Most of my time since getting back has been spent working on the interface, particularly with making more information accessible. These changes will go out with the next big update in a few weeks. The plan is also to make major revisions to the diplomacy system, and while I can't talk about the details yet, I think you all will find them an improvement. That will be added with an update later this year. Also included will be a number of AI upgrades.

Despite pricing issues here in Australia, AusGamers was thoroughly impressed with Civilization V, coring it a 9.2/10.

Civilization 5 might be causing a commercial stir in Australia with issues around pricing and region locking, but internally there have been a few problems as well; problems that Fireaxis have addressed in the game's first update.

Here's a run-down:

• Modding - Installer and permissions fixes. Should address any remaining mod download and install issues.
• Full screen crash fix. Game will now restart in Windowed mode if it cannot find a suitable full-screen resolution on first start.
• Hall of Fame now records data correctly when using a Windows username with special characters.
• Fix for Puppet State production exploit.
• Misc crash fixes.

So if you were one of the people out there dealing with bugs, crashes and the like, be sure to fire it up again.

Today is a good day to conquer the world. At least that's what you should be thinking as the latest Sid Meier's Civilization lands in its fifth iteration.

Civ V offers both the hardcore and enthusiast something of varying layers of depth and complexity, with a focus on being a bit more streamlined than previous Civ outings, but with stronger results.

There have also been some fundamental changes in the way the game is played from a combat and cultural level, which should even offer something utterly new and engaging for veterans of the series. This one is definitely worth your investment.

Click here for our in-depth review.

If you've got 13 spare minutes, you might want to check out this new Civilization 5 video - it's an in-depth walkthrough of the game, running through the major features in a lot of detail. Firaxis Games' Peter Murray narrates, discussing the lessons learned in Civ4 and how they have adapted their next one from there.

The trailer is available for download - weighing in at a beefy 650MB - or you can stream below.

While out at our 2K Games Mafia II event in San Francisco, AusGamers was also given a rare opportunity to talk to 2K Games' Civilization V producer, Garrett Bittner, on the next installment in Sid Meier's famed series, after a lengthy hands-on (stay tuned for our full hands-on preview).

The following interview goes through some of the bigger changes for the series, which are somewhat monumental in the grand scheme of all things Civilization, with a renewed focus on combat, diplomacy, foreign policy and more. There are also major changes to unit positioning, movement and stacking, making for a much more strategic and tactical combat experience all round.

Click here for the full interview.