2K Games has just announced a new expansion pack for the award winning Civilization V, a long running turn-based strategy that relies heavily on building an empire to withstand time itself.

The new expansion is titled Gods & Kings, and will take the player from founding the first Pantheon of the Gods and spreading religion across the world, to deploying spies in enemy cities to steal information and technology.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V: God & Kings takes players through time as they engage in new quests and global competitions, interact with new types of city-states and master exciting new systems for land and naval combat. Nine new civilizations, nine new wonders, three original scenarios, and dozens of new units, buildings, technologies, and resources have also been added, offering even more ways for players to expand their empire on their quest to rule the world.

You can check out the full press release over here detailing everything new, but this is sounding like it could be a great expansion pack, one that will definitely make the game more fun then it already is.

Check out some of the screenshots below showing off some character art and in-game looks, but make sure you head over to our game page for more.

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.

For Civilization fans who aren't sure if the next iteration is going to sate your live of building... well, civilisations, it looks like there's going to be a public demo for the game released in September before its official launch. Just how much you'll be able to play in the demo is as yet unknown, but a new pack shot was released today (if you're into that sort of thing), which is definitely the beginning of 2K's roll-out of media and info for the next Sid Meier classic.

We also urge fans of the series to keep their eyes glued to AusGamers later in the week as we have some cool stuff to share with you we're pretty confident you'll dig. Click here for more Civ V info.

2K Games just sent through details outlining their plans for a Special Edition release of Si Meier's Civilization V, which will be made in available in Australia from September 24 for a cool AU$129.95.

In addition to a copy of the highly anticipated game, the following elements are included in the Civilization V Special Edition:

• 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

We'll have more on Civ V on the site in the not-too-distant future, but we can tell you with a brand new game engine, and an even deeper gameplay experience, this is shaping up to be the best Civ yet. Stay tuned.

Starting today off with a bang - fresh from E3 we've got the brand new trailer for the hugely anticipated Civilization 5. The trailer weighs in at 340mb but it's pretty good lookin', so if you can spare the download it's definitely recommended. The trailer includes Sid Meier himself explaining some of the background of the game and shows off a heap of new in-game footage.

2K have set the Australian (and New Zealand) release date in stone at E3 - 24th September, 2010. We'll be checking this game out some more at E3, so stay tuned for the details - there'll no doubt be a plethora of information released for it as well.

While this game is looking pretty awesome (as you would expect), there is still a lot of concern amongst gamers about the Australia tax that we'll be playing on this side of the planet.

2K have announced that the upcoming Civilization 5 will be getting the full Steamworks, uh, works - "auto-updating, Steam Achievements, downloadable content, multiplayer matchmaking and more". Not only that, there will be a separate "Deluxe Edition" available exclusively on Steam with some special content:

Gamers who pre-order any version of Sid Meier’s Civilization V from Steam will receive the downloadable bonus content, Cradle of Civilization Map Pack: Mesopotamia, for free when the game is available. The map pack will let players experience the traditional Western and Middle Eastern “Cradle of Civilization.” The pack will include the Fertile Crescent with the Nile River valley to the west and extending east down the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys to the Persian Gulf. Leaders will be able to explore new terrain, cultures and conquests.

The Steam page for Civ5 indicates that for Australians, pricing will be USD$79.95 for the regular version and USD$89.95 for the deluxe edition.

Americans will get the two versions for USD$49.99 and USD$59.99 respectively. So once again it looks like we're getting screwed on pricing with a USD$30 Australia tax thrown on top.

We have contacted 2K for comment on the massive pricing difference so we'll update if we get more information. It should be noted that the pricing is set by the publisher (in this case, 2K) and not Steam.

There's a saying at Firaxis - "it's never Civilization if Ghandi doesn't threaten you with a nuke". We got to check out Civilization 5 at GDC last week, and fans of the old school will be pleased to note that it's looking like it captures the spirit of the previous games, while at the same time adding some interesting new features that offer a new take in terms of gameplay.

We were treated to a 15 minute presentation showing off some of the features at a pretty high level; the game is looking really nice even at this pre-alpha stage and I for one definitely can't wait to see how it progresses. Take a look at our Civilization 5 preview for more details.

2K have sent through a wad of new screenshots for the recently announced and very droolworthy Civilization 5, which we now have available on our game page. Nothing earth shattering there but if you're soaking up everything possible you might want to check it out.

We'll be getting the chance to check this out tomorrow at a secret showing here at GDC, so stay tuned for some more information about this slightly anticipated title.

2K Games have left a nice surprise for my arrival to my inbox this morning - the announcement that Civilization 5 is currently in development at Firaxis!

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 brand new engine orchestrates a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ experience than ever, featuring fully animated leaders interacting with players from a screen-filling diplomatic scene and speaking in their native language for the first time. Wars between empires feel massive as armies dominate the landscape, and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging players to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield. In addition to the new gameplay features debuting in Civilization V, an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements will also make an appearance.

A bunch of screenshots have been released; check them out on our game page. Awesome!@#