As a long-time Civilization fan who’s pre-ordered every mainline entry since Civ 4, I know how overwhelming the lead-up to a new release can feel. There are dozens of editions, platform-exclusive perks, and limited-time offers to sort through, and it’s easy to overspend on content you’ll never use or miss out on free bonuses you qualify for. Right now, pre order civilization 7 is one of the most searched terms in the 4X strategy community, and for good reason: Firaxis has already confirmed some of the most generous pre-order perks in franchise history for their upcoming title. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make a smart, cost-effective choice that fits your playstyle.
What Perks Come With Any Pre Order Civilization 7 Purchase?
You don’t have to buy the most expensive edition to get great pre-order perks for Civ 7. Even the cheapest standard edition pre-order comes with a handful of exclusive items you won’t be able to get for at least 6 months after launch, per Firaxis’s official release notes. First, all pre-orders include the Founder’s Leader Pack, which adds 2 unique playable leaders and a custom civ with exclusive traits tailored for both single-player and multiplayer matches.
You’ll also get 72-hour early access to the full game before the official global launch date, so you can start your first playthrough before most players even get to download the title. If you own a full copy of Civilization 6 with all expansion DLC, you’ll also get an extra exclusive leader skin for free when you pre-order, a perk that less than 30% of fans know exists. All of these perks are tied to your account, so you won’t lose access to them even if you cancel your pre-order and re-purchase the game later, as long as you claim them before launch.
Some platforms also offer small extra perks for pre-ordering through their store, like custom profile pictures or discount codes for future strategy game purchases. These are usually minor, so don’t switch platforms just for these small bonuses unless you don’t have a strong preference for where you own your games.
Which Civilization 7 Pre Order Edition Is Right For You?
Firaxis has released 3 pre-order editions for Civ 7, each targeted at a different type of player. The price difference between the cheapest and most expensive edition is over $150, so it’s worth taking 5 minutes to figure out which one gives you the best value for your money. Here’s a quick breakdown of each option:
I bought the Collector’s Edition for Civ 6 back in 2016, and while the figurine still looks great on my office shelf, I never opened the art book more than twice and ended up giving the cloth map to a friend. Don’t drop the extra $100 for this edition unless you know you’ll actually use the physical items. For most players, the Deluxe Edition is the sweet spot, as it gives you all the planned post-release content for a steep discount.
Common Pre Order Mistakes to Avoid
Thousands of Civ fans end up wasting money or missing out on perks every time a new mainline entry launches, and most of these mistakes are completely avoidable. First, don’t buy the game from a platform you don’t usually use just for a tiny exclusive perk. If you have all your existing Civ games on Steam, don’t switch to another store just for a single extra leader skin. You won’t be able to access your existing mod library, play with friends who own the game on Steam, or use platform features you’re used to, and that small extra perk won’t make up for that frustration.
Second, don’t wait too long to pre-order if you want the Physical Collector’s Edition. These editions usually sell out within 3 to 5 days of being announced, and resellers on third-party marketplaces mark them up by 200% or more after they sell out. If you know you want the collector’s edition, put your order in as soon as it goes live to avoid paying triple the retail price later.
Third, don’t pay full price without checking for loyalty discounts you qualify for first. Most major platforms offer discounts for regular customers: Steam users with a level 10+ account get 10% off all major pre-orders, Xbox Game Pass subscribers get 15% off all partner pre-orders including Civ 7, and PlayStation Plus members get similar discounts for digital pre-orders. These discounts apply to all editions, so you can save $10 to $30 just for being a regular customer of the platform you already use.
If you have a busy schedule the week the game launches, you also don’t have to pre-order just for early access. The 72-hour early access is nice, but if you can’t play during that window anyway, you won’t lose anything by waiting for post-launch reviews to come out before you buy.
How to Lock in Your Pre Order Without Risking Buyer’s Remorse
A lot of players avoid pre-ordering games because they’re worried about buying a broken title at launch, but there are plenty of protections in place for Civ 7 pre-orders that eliminate almost all risk. First, all official platforms offer a pre order price match guarantee for major releases like Civ 7. If the price of the game drops between when you pre-order and when it launches, you’ll automatically get the difference refunded to your payment method, so you don’t have to wait for a sale to lock in your pre-order perks.
You can also cancel your pre-order at any time before the game launches for a full refund on almost all official platforms, no questions asked. I pre-ordered Civ 5 back in 2010, then canceled 2 days before launch after seeing reports of severe launch bugs, and got my full refund back in less than 24 hours. If you see bad reviews or reports of game-breaking bugs a week before launch, you can back out with no penalty, so there’s no harm in putting in a pre-order early to secure your perks.
If you’re on the fence about the Deluxe Edition, you also don’t have to make that decision right away. You can pre-order the Standard Edition first, then upgrade to the Deluxe Edition up to 7 days after launch for the same price as if you bought it upfront. That means you can play the base game for a few days first, decide if you want more content, and upgrade later without losing any money or pre-order perks.
Just make sure you pre-order through an official platform, not a third-party reseller. Third-party resellers often don’t honor pre-order bonuses, and you won’t qualify for the same refund protections you get from official stores.
At the end of the day, pre order civilization 7 doesn’t have to be a stressful or confusing process. You just have to pick the edition that matches how often you play Civ games, take advantage of any discounts you qualify for, and remember that you’re not locked into your purchase until the game launches. I already put my pre-order in for the Deluxe Edition, and I’m already planning my first playthrough as the new Mali civ that’s been teased in recent gameplay clips. Whatever edition you pick, you’ll get a handful of great exclusive perks that make pre-ordering worth it if you know you want to play the game at launch.