Firaxis is making Sid Meier's Civilization 7 free to play on Steam for a week, running from 3 September at 10am PT to 10 September at 10am PT, as part of celebrations marking the strategy franchise's 35th anniversary. The promotion gives newcomers a chance to try the turn-based 4X game without committing to its usual price, and coincides with a 50% discount for anyone who decides to buy after the trial.

Civ 7 launched in 2025 to a mixed reception, but Firaxis has since rolled out major updates, including May's Test of Time patch, which reworked how civilisations progress through the game's three Ages, letting players stick with one civilisation throughout a campaign and introducing new systems such as Syncretism and Affirmation. Polygon's own review found the changes had significantly improved the game, though diplomacy and some other systems remain underdeveloped. If bought outright, the game costs $34.99 during the sale, and Firaxis staff will also appear at a PAX West panel in Seattle on 5 September to discuss the franchise's history and future.