Civilization IV expands

Sid Meier's Civilization series of PC strategy games has featured plenty of diplomacy at the tip of spears and swords, but now the developer wants to pay a bit more attention to diplomacy at the end of a barrel. 2K today announced that it is readying Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, the second expansion pack to 2005's Civilization IV.

The expansion focuses on adding content to the in-game time periods following the invention of gunpowder, and will add 12 new scenarios, some of which have been designed by members of Civilization IV's fan community.

There will also be 10 new factions to choose from, including Portugal, Babylon, and the Netherlands, as well as 16 new leaders. Other new content includes five new wonders of the world to discover--for example, the Statue of Zeus, Mausoleum of Maussollos, and the Maoi Statues.

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword will be released worldwide in July. It is published by 2K and developed by Firaxis Games.