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Civilization 5 free to play for a few days

Civilization: Beyond Earth for Mac and Linux out "holiday 2014".

Civilization 5 is free to play now until 10am, 23rd October 2014 on PC via Steam.

Firaxis' strategy game normally costs £19.99.

It's a promotion designed to draw attention to Sid Meier's long-running franchise ahead of the release of Civilization: Beyond Earth, due out in the UK this Friday on PC.

Beyond Earth is a new science fiction entry in the series, and a spiritual successor to Sid Meier's own Alpha Centauri, published by EA in 1999.

In the game you lead your people on an expedition sent to find a new home away from Earth. You explore and colonise an alien planet and create a new civilisation in space.

Civilization 5 came out in September 2010.

Meanwhile, publisher 2K has said a Mac and Linux version of Beyond Earth launches "holiday 2014".

Cover image for YouTube videoCivilization V Gameplay Trailer