Update 1.4.2 is out today, July 28th

Image credit: Firaxis

Civ 7's July update drops today, July 28th, delivering a handful of useful tweaks as devs Firaxis continue to build on their substantial revamp of the strategy game via its Test of Time update. This time around, adding more depth to interactions between the player and other civs is the focus, via changes to peace deals and leader relationship mechanics.

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Update 1.4.2 is set to arrive around 3PM BST today, July 28th. As outlined by senior game designer Taymoor Rehman in the video above, this update's "a bit smaller as [Firaxis] gear up for bigger additions to Civ 7". As for what it does, negotiating to end a war with another civ now allows you to throw a number of different resources into the mix in order to try and get the deal over the line, rather than just deciding who gets which cities. Gold and influence can now be chucked in, though in set amounts dictated by the era you're in, rather than a slider that lets you dictate an exact amount.

"Trading yields in predetermined amounts helps us better manage the economy of war and set up the AI to negotiate better," Rehman explained of the choice to handle things that way, adding that peace deals have also been wrapped in a new interface.

Beyond that, it's now easier to see when something has happened which significantly impacts your relationships with AI civ leaders, lessening the chance of you being left wondering how long Genghis Khan's secretly been stewing in hatred of your guts. Firaxis have also catered to cowards like me who just want to try and be everyone's friend by making it possible to start making an effort to reconcile with a pissed off leader via diplomacy once their stance towards you ticks into unfriendly, nipping discontent in the bud before they get openly hostile.

Rounding things out are a buff to Ashoka the World Renouncer and the option to turn certain victory paths off for a game, if for example you want to force the victor to win by achieving military or scientific dominance.

There's also some paid DLC coming online with this update, with part two of the Brush and Blade DLC offering Yi Sun-sin as a new leader. This second part of the expansion's focused on Korea, with the Goryeo and Joseon civs accompanying 16th century admiral Yi.

Now, I'm going to offer you all 60 RPS influence points in exchange for keeping the comments section nice and peaceful.