What are 4X Games?

4X games, or "eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate" games, are a genre of strategy-based video games that are known for their deep strategy and complex gameplay. Players take control of every aspect of their civilization, including economic and technological development, and both military and diplomatic relations and decisions. It's because of this level of micromanagement that 4X games take an extended period of time to complete, and why some games are criticized for being tedious at times.

All Articles about 4X Games - Page 1

Samba de Amigo: Pçarty Central and Sega Logo
News

Sega's Financial Results Reveal Declining Profits for Games Due to Weak Performance of New Titles

Sega just announced its financial results for the first half of the fiscal year, related to the period between April and September 2023.  Net sales were 221,158 million yen (up 47.3% year-on-year)…

November 7, 2023 | 11:34 EST

Star Trek: Infinite
News

Star Trek: Infinite Gameplay Revealed & Stellaris Players Will Find it Very Familiar

Today Paradox Entertainment and Nimble Giant Entertainment revealed a gameplay trailer of their upcoming grand strategy game Star Trek: Infinite. The game, which was revealed at Summer Game Fest,…

June 16, 2023 | 06:34 EDT

Civilization VI Victoria Age of Steam
News

Civilization VI Rulers of England DLC Reveals Victoria Age of Steam Leader Persona

Firaxis and 2K games revealed a new trailer of the new DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. This time around, we get to take a look at a new persona for Victoria named "Age of Steam."…

March 26, 2023 | 05:09 EDT

Civilization VI Varangian Harald Hardrada
News

Civilization VI Rulers of England DLC Reveals Varangian Harald Hardrada Persona

Firaxis and 2K games revealed a new trailer of the latest DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. Specifically, we get to take a look at a new persona for  Harald Hardrada, ruler of…

March 25, 2023 | 03:46 EDT

Civilization 6 Queen Elizabeth I
News

Civilization VI Rulers of England DLC Gets Release Date; Queen Elizabeth I Revealed

Firaxis and 2K games revealed the release date of the latest DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. The Rulers of England DLC will release on March 29, bringing three new leaders to the…

March 24, 2023 | 05:15 EDT

Civlization VI Sejong
News

Civilization VI Reveals Sejong From Great Builders DLC

Firaxis and 2K games revealed a new trailer of the latest DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. The Great Builders DLC will include three new leaders for existing civilizations, and the…

March 13, 2023 | 03:16 EDT

Civilization 6 Theodora
News

Civilization VI Reveals Theodora & Ludwig II as Great Builders DLC Gets Release Date

Firaxis and 2K games announced the release date of the latest DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. The Great Builders DLC will release on March 15, bringing three new leaders to the…

March 12, 2023 | 02:55 EDT

Life by You
News

Paradox Teases New The Sims-Like Game; Announces DLC for Crusader Kings 3, Europa Universalis IV, & More

Today, during the Paradox Announcement Show, the publisher had several news to share about its games and their expansions.  On top of Cities: Skylines II by Colossal Order and The Lamplighters…

March 6, 2023 | 12:40 EST

Civilization VI Cleopatra
News

Civilization VI Reveals Ptolemaic Cleopatra from Rulers of the Sahara DLC

Cleopatra is one of the most well-known rulers of ancient Egypt, and soon you'll be able to play a different version of her in Sid Meier's Civilization VI.  Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, the last…

February 12, 2023 | 04:24 EST

Civilization 6 Ramses II
News

Civilization VI Rulers of the Sahara DLC Gets Release Date; Ramses II & Sundiata Keita Revealed

Firaxis and 2K games announced the release date of the new DLC leaders coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. The Rulers of the Sahara DLC will release on February 16, as usual bringing three new…

February 11, 2023 | 05:51 EST

Age of Wonders 4
News

Age of Wonders 4 Announced for PC, PS5, & Xbox With Release Date, Details, & Gameplay

Today Paradox Interactive announced a game that will likely please fans of the turn-based strategy and empire-building genres, Age of Wonders 4.  Of course, the game is developed by the series'…

January 19, 2023 | 01:08 EST

Stellaris Header image

Stellaris: First Contact Story Pack Is Coming Soon

The First Contact DLC is heading to Stellaris, where we finally make contact with life that lives among the stars. Alongside the DLC comes a free update for players to enjoy.  The upcoming DLC…

January 17, 2023 | 06:44 EST

Civilization VI Yongle
News

Civilization VI Reveals Yongle from Rulers of China DLC

Firaxis and 2K games released another trailer showing a new DLC leader coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. Today we get to witness the third leader of the  Rulers of China DLC, which will release…

January 16, 2023 | 05:28 EST

Civilization 6 Rulers of China Quin Shi Huang
News

Civilization VI Introduces Quin Shi Huang from Rulers of China pack

Firaxis and 2K games released a new trailer showing a new DLC leader coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI. Today we get to take a look at the second leader of the  Rulers of China pack, which will…

January 15, 2023 | 05:00 EST

Civilization VI Reveals Wu Zetian
News

Civilization VI Reveals Wu Zetian from Rulers of China pack

Another Leaders Pack is coming to Sid Meier's Civilization VI, which means that Firaxis and 2K games are at it again showing the new leaders off. Today we get the first leader of the  …

January 14, 2023 | 02:42 EST

The 6-Arm Spiral Galaxy, one of the new galaxy shapes added as part of the Stellaris 3.6 patch notes
News

The Stellaris 3.6 Patch Notes Are Pretty Funny

A new update has come to Stellaris, and as you'd expect, it's brought some pretty amusing changes along with it. Rifling through the Stellaris 3.6 patch notes, it's possible to spot changes that make…

November 25, 2022 | 09:57 EST

Four leaders in the leaked Civilization 6 Leader Pass
News

Civilization 6 Leader Pass Leaked Via Mobile Website

Something called the Civilization 6 Leader Pass appears to have leaked, and it looks like DLC for the game that will let you play as four iconic rulers. The pass hasn't officially been announced yet…

November 10, 2022 | 10:12 EST

The splash screen of Humankind Together We Rule teasing a coming soon release window
News

Humankind Together We Rule Is The First Major Expansion From Amplitude Studios

Amplitude Studios has announced Together We Rule, the first major expansion for its turn-based strategy title Humankind, with a release set for Fall 2022 on PC. Humankind has previously received…

September 7, 2022 | 01:41 EDT

A shot of Arrakis in Dune: Spice Wars
News

Dune: Spice Wars Release Date Announced By Shiro Games

You won't have to wait much longer to make your mark on Arrakis, as the Dune: Spice Wars release date has been announced. Shiro Games and Funcom have revealed that their upcoming RTS-4X hybrid will…

April 6, 2022 | 10:51 EDT

Two opposing fleets in Stellaris
News

Stellaris 3.3 Release Date Confirmed For Next Week

Paradox has announced a release date for the upcoming Stellaris 3.3 update. Titled "Libra", the update will bring new content, tweaks to existing stuff, and lots and lots of balance changes, as…

February 17, 2022 | 09:04 EST

Explorers wandering the land in the first Humankind DLC
News

First Humankind DLC To Add 6 African Cultures

Sega and Amplitude are releasing the first Humankind DLC pack later this month. The Humankind Cultures of Africa DLC will add six new African cultures to the game, as well as more than a dozen extra…

January 11, 2022 | 11:27 EST

Stellaris Aquatics Species Pack and 3.2 Update cover
News

Stellaris Aquatics Species Pack and 3.2 Update is Here

The Stellaris Aquatics Species Pack is here, adding an interesting new way to play Paradox Interactive's 4X game. Furthermore, the Stellaris 3.2 Update "Herbert" Patch has also arrived. Stellaris is…

November 22, 2021 | 03:30 EST

The original Sinnoh region, before it was recreated in Civilization VI
News

Map Maker Recreates Sinnoh in Civilization VI

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the remakes of the Fourth Generation Pokemon games, are both releasing tomorrow. To celebrate this release, one Civilization VI modder has recreated the…

November 18, 2021 | 10:10 EST

Next Humankind Update Delayed for Beta Testing October 2021 cover
News

Next Humankind Update Delayed a Week for Beta Testing

The next Humankind update has been delayed on PC and Mac due to a "serious problem" discovered by the developers, but you'll still be able to test it out in a beta branch if you don't want to wait.…

October 29, 2021 | 01:51 EDT

Key art for the new Stellaris update, codenamed Lem
News

Next Major Stellaris Update Release Date Revealed

Paradox has revealed the launch date for the next major Stellaris update. The update - codenamed "Lem" after sci-fi writer Stanislaw Lem - will launch on September 14th and will bring lots of content…

September 9, 2021 | 10:29 EDT

next Humankind Update Modding Tools cover
News

Next Humankind Update and Modding Progress Revealed

Amplitude Studios has revealed new details about the next Humankind update alongside a progress report on the development of the Humankind modding tools for the 4X game on PC and Google Stadia.…

August 27, 2021 | 01:35 EDT

Humankind Beginner Guide - Map Screenshot
Guide

Humankind Beginner Guide

4X strategy games can be a lot of fun, but due to their incredibly deep nature, it can be tough trying to wrap your head around exactly what is going on. Well, we can help you with our Humankind …

August 18, 2021 | 07:41 EDT

Humankind Endgame details cover
News

Humankind Endgame Will Have New Challenges for Players

Amplitude Studios and SEGA have revealed details about the Humankind endgame, promising to avoid "a mindless grind of spamming the Enter button" for this upcoming 4X game on PC. Humankind is a brand…

August 13, 2021 | 01:46 EDT

Humankind Mac Version delayed cover
News

Humankind Mac Version Delayed Several Weeks

Amplitude Studios has announced that the Humankind Mac version has been delayed for several weeks. In the meantime, it will focus on balancing this upcoming PC 4X game to get it ready for its launch…

August 3, 2021 | 03:37 EDT

Humankind Denuvo DRM removed cover
News

Humankind Denuvo DRM Removed Prior to Launch

The Humankind Denuvo DRM is being removed, easing any concerns that players may have about poor performance in this upcoming 4X game from Sega and Amplitude Studios. Humankind is an upcoming 4X game…

July 20, 2021 | 02:16 EDT

Civilization 6 Best Mods
Feature

The Best Civilization VI Mods

Civilization VI has a lot of great mods that have emerged over the years, designed for players to be able to expand and change up the game. Perhaps not up to the level seen in Civ IV (there is no…

July 16, 2021 | 11:00 EDT

A new city is constructed in Humankind
Preview

Humankind Gets Cultural in Course of Human History

Humankind certainly has a lot on its table. After all, trying to cover the course of known human history in the span of just one game is no easy feat, but after attending attend a media event that…

June 1, 2021 | 10:00 EDT

Final Free Civilization 6 Update cover
News

Final Free Civilization 6 Update of the Season is Here

The final free Civilization 6 update of the season has gone live, giving all civilizations access to three new units and a bunch of balance changes throughout the game. Sid Meier's Civilization 6 …

April 22, 2021 | 02:10 EDT

Civilization 6 Free Update 6 trebuchet cover
News

Civilization 6 Free Update 6 is Adding Trebuchets

Some details on Civilization 6 Free Update 6 have been revealed by the developers, highlighting the addition of Trebuchets and two other units along with a bunch of balance fixes. Civilization 6 has…

April 12, 2021 | 02:04 EDT

Civilization 6 Barbarian Clans mode cover
News

Civilization 6 Barbarian Clans Mode Arrives Late February 2021

The Civilization 6 Barbarians Clans Mode has been revealed as yet another new way to play Firaxis' 4X strategy game and all players will be able to enjoy it for free in just a few short weeks. Sid…

February 16, 2021 | 03:12 EST

Civilization 6 Vietnam cover
News

Civilization 6 Reveals Vietnam for Upcoming 'New Frontier Pass' Update

The Civilization 6 Vietnam update has been revealed, adding yet another new civilization to the game's New Frontier Pass along with a new district and a new leader for two other civilizations.…

January 19, 2021 | 02:55 EST

Civilization 6 December 2020 Update City States update cover
News

Civilization 6 Will Soon Let You Pick and Choose City-States

The Civilization 6 December 2020 Update has been revealed, finally letting players pick each specific City-State that they would like to see in the game (along with some other neat balance changes…

December 7, 2020 | 04:03 EST

Civilization 6 New Frontier Pass Babylon cover
News

Babylon Coming to Civilization 6 New Frontier Pass

Babylon has been announced as the next new civilization coming to the Civilization 6 New Frontier Pass. Naturally, some other goodies are on the way too — including 24 new Great People and the new…

November 9, 2020 | 02:13 EST

Civilization 6 Pirates Scenario cover.jpg
News

Civilization 6 Debuts Perilous Pirate Adventure This Month

Batten down the hatches and raise the black flag — a Civilization 6 pirates scenario is making its debut later in October 2020 as part of a Civilization 6 update. This new scenario will let 1–4…

October 13, 2020 | 03:06 EDT

Civilization 6 Byzantium & Gaul Pack cover
News

Civilization 6 Byzantium & Gaul Pack Arrives Later This Month

Civilization 6 Frontier Pass Pack 3 has finally been revealed! The Civilization 6 Byzantium & Gaul pack will be bringing two new civilizations, a new map, and more to owners of this DLC pass…

September 14, 2020 | 02:38 EDT

Civilization 6, Canadian Empire
News

Civilization VI Android Brings Strategic Flair to the Masses

Have you ever wanted to ruin the world on the go? Well, Aspyr is here for you, in partnership with 2K, as they have brought a port of Civilization VI out on Android devices today. Previously…

August 13, 2020 | 11:32 EDT

HUMANKIND - Key Art
Game Page

HUMANKIND

HUMANKIND is a 4X game with a great pedigree, being developed by Amplitude Studios the team behind the stunning 'Endless' series of strategy games.  In HUMANKIND you must steer your course through…

June 17, 2020 | 11:31 EDT

The title of Humankind with different warriors swarming the left side
News

Strategy Game Humankind Welcomes Players To Test New Scenarios

Amplitude showed off more of their grand strategy game Humankind at this year's PC Gaming Showcase. Their project is a historical turn-based strategy game where you can completely rewrite the history…

June 13, 2020 | 02:52 EDT

HUMANKIND - Key Art
Preview

Humankind Is 4X Strategy For The Masses

4X strategy can be tough to handle for a lot of people. By their nature, these games are complex and involving. In some cases, they can even eat up days or weeks of the player's time on a single game…

June 18, 2020 | 10:00 EDT

Civilization VI screenshot

Civilization VI Announced as Epic Game Store's Free Game of the Week

Last week, Epic Games Store made news by giving away Grand Theft Auto V for free. This week, they are giving away Civilization VI (which requires 2FA authentication to get) which is also a pretty big…

May 21, 2020 | 11:19 EDT

Civilization 6 Gran Colombia civilization cover
News

Civilization 6 Gran Colombia Civilization Arrives, Led By Simón Bolívar

The Civilization 6 Gran Colombia Civilization has arrived along with a brand-new Leader! Simón Bolívar will be taking command of Gran Colombia, and many of this newest Leader's abilities have a…

May 19, 2020 | 03:49 EDT

An in-game shot of Civilization VI
News

Civilization VI Has A Season Pass Now, Apparently

Firaxis has announced that Civilization VI is getting a season pass. It's called the New Frontier Pass and it'll bring with it six DLC packs over the next year or so. This comes via an official…

May 11, 2020 | 11:37 EDT

Pax Nova Review
Review

Pax Nova Review

Molded in the vein of Masters of Orion and Galactic Civilizations, Pax Nova carries on the spirit of what you would expect from a 4x strategy game. At its heart, it is a solid experience, one that…

May 5, 2020 | 01:00 EDT