Civilization V opening to Steamworks, Digital Deluxe edition

2K Games and Firaxis are making sweeping changes with their latest Civilization-building exercise. As announced in February, Civilization V will introduce a hexagonal playfield and an all-new game engine to the strategy series. The publisher also promises an "entirely new" combat system, built-in community features, and enhanced world leaders.

As one other significant change, 2K Games announced today that Civilization V will also incorporate much of Valve's Steamworks functionality. With Valve's development tools, Civilization V will include features such as auto-updating, Steam Achievements, downloadable content, and multiplayer matchmaking.

In a further partnership with Valve, 2K Games said that it would be shipping a special Digital Deluxe Edition of Civilization V through Steam when the PC game is released this fall. Those who purchase the special edition will gain access to the Babylonian civilization, ruled by Nebuchadnezzar II (630-561 BC). Special-edition purchasers will also get a "Behind the Scenes at Firaxis With Civilization V" video feature as well as a digital copy of the game's soundtrack.

The Valve partnership also extends to preorder bonuses. Those who preorder the regular or Digital Deluxe edition of Civilization V through Steam will be offered the Cradle of Civilization Map Pack: Mesopotamia add-on for free. Included in the map pack will be new explorable territory in the Fertile Crescent, from the Nile River to the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys.

2K Games has not yet announced pricing for the Civilization V: Digital Deluxe Edition. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.