Civilization VI Adds Its Own Brand Of Battle Royale Gameplay

You know that battle royale is THE thing in gaming when even games that you'd least expect adds a battle royale mode. That's the head-scratching revelation that game developers Firaxis made in its September 2019 update for Sid Meier's Civilization VI. More than just the usual fixes and balancing changes, the update's new Red Death feature turns the normally peaceful and relaxing game into a massive battle for survival.

OK, it's not exactly a battle royale like Fortnite or PUBG but, considering the original Civ 6 game, it's the closes its creators can get to the feel and gameplay of massive shooters. Red Death is practically a new 12-player multiplayer mode that has players trying to survive in a new post-apocalyptic world.

The titular Red Death is actually a radioactive storm that is slowly closing in on players. Players try to both grow their own faction, keep their required Civilian alive, and battle other players while racing for the one spaceship that will save them from the self-destructing planet. Oh, and they're also racing against time, too, of course.

If it isn't that obvious by now, Civilization VI's Red Death is a tongue-in-cheek parody of the battle royale craze that's gripping the gaming market. After all, what serious battle royale will have factions composed of evil scientists, doomsday preppers, jocks, and goths? For that matter, what serious battle royale will actually play out its skirmishes in turn-based gameplay?

Fortunately, gamers won't have to pay a thing for the free mode that comes as part of the latest Civ 6 update. And if they do want to experience the joys of Red Death, the mode is also available on all versions of the game.