# Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

> video game expansion

**Wikidata**: [Q1143029](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1143029)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_IV:_Beyond_the_Sword)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/civilization-iv-beyond-the-sword

## Summary
Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is a video game expansion and add-on for Civilization IV, developed by Firaxis Games and published by Take-Two Interactive. Released on July 18, 2007, it is the second expansion pack for the Civilization IV turn-based strategy game, adding new civilizations, units, and game mechanics to enhance gameplay.

## Key Facts
- Publication date: 2007-07-18
- Developer: Firaxis Games (founded in 1996, based in Sparks, United States)
- Publisher: Take-Two Interactive (founded in 1993, based in New York City)
- Version: 3.19 (last updated on 2009-06-10)
- Genre: Turn-based strategy video game, 4X
- Expansion of: Civilization IV
- Follows: Civilization IV: Warlords
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- ESRB rating: Everyone 10+
- Website: http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/beyondthesword/

## FAQs
### Q: What is Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword?
A: Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is an expansion pack for the Civilization IV turn-based strategy game, developed by Firaxis Games and published by Take-Two Interactive. It was released on July 18, 2007, and adds new civilizations, units, and game mechanics to the base game.

### Q: What platforms can Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword be played on?
A: The game is available on Microsoft Windows and macOS platforms. It can be played on both personal computers running these operating systems, with digital distribution available through Steam.

### Q: What new content does Beyond the Sword add to Civilization IV?
A: The expansion adds new civilizations, units, game mechanics, and scenarios to the base Civilization IV game, with enhanced late-game content and improved gameplay depth.

### Q: Who developed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword?
A: The expansion was developed by Firaxis Games, an American video game development company founded in 1996 and based in Sparks, United States. The company has a headquarters in Sparks and operates within the video game industry.

### Q: What is the critical reception of Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword?
A: The game received positive reviews, with a score of 89/100 according to Kritikanstvo. It has been praised for enhancing the Civilization IV experience with additional content and improved gameplay mechanics.

## Why It Matters
Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword represents a significant evolution in one of gaming's most established strategy franchises. As the second expansion pack for Civilization IV, it addressed player feedback by enhancing particularly the late-game experience, which had been a common criticism of the base game. The expansion's addition of new civilizations, units, and scenarios extended the game's replay value significantly, contributing to Civilization IV's longevity as a benchmark in turn-based strategy gaming. Its positive reception and continued availability through platforms like Steam demonstrate its enduring appeal among strategy gaming enthusiasts, solidifying the Civilization series' position as a pillar of the 4X strategy genre.

## Notable For
- Being the second expansion pack for Civilization IV, following the Warlords expansion
- Including enhanced late-game content, which was a focus of improvement over the base game
- Featuring numerous new civilizations and units that expanded the game's strategic possibilities
- Maintaining high critical acclaim with an 89/100 review score from Kritikanstvo
- Remaining widely available through digital distribution years after its initial release

## Body
### Development
- Developed by Firaxis Games, an American video game company founded in 1996
- Published by Take-Two Interactive, an American publisher, developer and distributor
- Distributed by both 2K and Steam
- Software engine: Gamebryo

### Release Information
- Publication date: 2007-07-18
- Version: 3.19 (last updated on 2009-06-10)
- Distribution formats: Compact disc and digital distribution
- Available on Steam with application ID: 8800

### Technical Specifications
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Game modes: Single-player video game, multiplayer online game, co-op mode
- Software engine: Gamebryo

### Reception
- Review score: 89/100 (Kritikanstvo)
- Sitelink count: 21
- Available on multiple gaming databases with various IDs
- Multiple aliases including Beyond the Sword, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, BTS, Civ4BtS

### Game Content
- Genre: Turn-based strategy video game, 4X
- ESRB rating: Everyone 10+
- Part of the Civilization series
- Expansion of Civilization IV
- Follows Civilization IV: Warlords
- Country of origin: United States

## References

1. Steam
2. Kritikanstvo
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. VGChartz