Multiplayer (Civ5)

Civ5 Multiplayer Setup Screen — The multiplayer setup screen for *Civilization V*

Civilization V offers a vast number of multiplayer game options.

What is "Multiplayer?"[]

Multiplayer is the same as single player except that instead of AIs, real people play against other real people. AIs may also be added to multiplayer if more players are required. Multiplayer is a simple term: multi- is an abbreviated version of "multiple," meaning "many," so a "multiplayer" game allows many players to participate.

Differences from Single Player[]

Multiplayer does not offer as much variety in terms of playable maps. Maps like "The British Isles" (included in the Vikings DLC) may not be played; the only maps that are playable are the ones with adjustable sizes. Civilizations from DLC packs may be played in multiplayer; however, this must be enabled in the options menu, and doing so means that players who do not have that DLC may not participate. In-game players may talk using a talk panel beside the Diplomacy screen. Players may also trade and work in teams.

Also the AI is known to be highly "dumbed down" in comparison to the AI in single player. They will not initiate diplomacy in the form of trade or research agreements with you.

Furthermore, the leader animation screens that are shown when you initiate diplomacy with the AI in single player are removed from multiplayer. They are replaced by simple text boxes.

Multiplayer Tips[]

NOTE: The information below was originally compiled for version 1.0.0.20 (before the release of Gods & Kings and Brave New World), so portions of it may now be outdated. (Please remove this note if up-to-date information is added.)

Introduction[]

Civilization V can be fun to play multiplayer. However, there are some "quirks" that can make things frustrating or difficult. This article attempts to list the quirks and workarounds to ensure people can have an enjoyable game. It assumes the reader is familiar with Civilization V in single player mode. The information provided here relates to version 1.0.0.20 - it may apply to previous or subsequent versions, but no guarantees can be made.

Simultaneous Turns[]

This option enables the players to carry out their tasks at the same time, rather than waiting for their turn.

Simultaneous Turns Strategies[]

Set up automated move orders. The initial move happens immediately; the subsequent moves happen when everyone's turn has finished (this needs to be checked). This allows you to change your mind about automated moves and still have your unit do something else that turn. You can't automate combat.
Set up orders to happen out of your turn - see Playing Out of Turn below.

Playing Out of Turn[]

In the current version (1.0.1.511) this seems no longer possible - every action taken will automatically cancel the "Next Turn" action (check this please).

Unit Focus[]

Fixed in 1.0.0.62! There is now an option to stop focus stealing in the options menu.

Saving/Loading[]

Civilization V's multiplayer saving and loading for multiplayer games is currently a bit unpolished and inconsistent at present. Here are the current observations:

Can load local autosave games ONLY.
Can't launch a loaded game without all players present, and you can't kick absent players. You can have another human step in to allow the game to launch, and then leave as soon as that's done to allow the AI to replace the missing player.
Can press Ctrl-S during a game to bring up the save dialog (it's missing from the options menu), remembering that only local autosaves work.
As per Azekeil: "I once saved a multiplayer game on the Steam Cloud, but couldn't load it due to the first point. I managed to rescue the game by starting a single player game using the Steam Cloud saved multiplayer game, then saving it locally. I then had to replace one of the autosave games in the multiplayer directory with the saved game, and then I was able to load it and have the players join."

Saving/Loading Strategies[]

Do nothing during the game, other than perhaps changing the autosave frequency to once a turn (you may need to do this from a single player game). When you exit, back up the multiplayer autosave folder which is (by default in Windows 7 at least) "Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 5\Saves\multi\auto" for restoration before attempting to load the game next time.

Converting Multiplayer Save to Moddable Single-Player Save[]

To play a multiplayer game with mods in single player mode, open the save file with a hex editor of your choice. At the offset 2C, you should find the value 01 for a multiplayer save game. Change that value to 00, save, and exit. After this you can load the new save game as a single-player game and mod away.