14 DAY TRIAL // The development team at Firaxis is preparing gamers for the coming launch of Civilization: Beyond Earth with a new big Twitch stream which allows them to get more information on the Covert Ops set of mechanics and how they can be used in order to destabilize an enemy faction.
The footage shows the development team using espionage and behind the scenes action in order to gain a clear competitive advantage over their rivals.
Traditionally, covert operations of any kind were not well simulated by the Civilization series and most fans tended to avoid using them other than to protect their cities and research.
But the same feature, with the use of Special Ops teams, was one of the core elements of Alpha Centauri, the main inspiration for Beyond Earth, and that means Firaxis needs to offer some way for gamers to infiltrate enemy operations and steal the fruits of their hard labor, be they material or intellectual.
The coming strategy game is designed to use the core turn-based mechanics of the series but to also introduce a range of changes, including a new tech section that features a web rather than a tree and diplomacy where Favors are important when it comes to changing rival opinions.