Firaxis Games
Firaxis Games is a Maryland-based strategy game studio and wholly-owned Take-Two/2K subsidiary founded in 1996 by Sid Meier, developing the Civilization and XCOM franchises plus Marvel's Midnight Suns for PC, console, mobile, VR, and cloud platforms, serving millions of strategy game enthusiasts worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSparks, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Firaxis Games does
Firaxis Games is a Maryland-based strategy game development studio founded in 1996 by Sid Meier, Jeff Briggs, and Brian Reynolds. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) under the 2K publishing label since 2006, the studio specializes in turn-based strategy games built around two flagship franchises — Civilization (seven mainline installments since 1991) and XCOM (Enemy Unknown in 2012, XCOM 2 in 2016, Chimera Squad in 2020) — plus Marvel's Midnight Suns (2022). The studio develops a proprietary turn-based strategy game engine with historical simulation technology and ships titles across PC (Steam), consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), mobile (Apple Arcade), VR (Meta Quest), and cloud gaming (NVIDIA GeForce NOW), with offices in Sparks, Maryland and Cary, North Carolina.
Firaxis's product surface is anchored by Civilization VII (released February 2025), which features novel mechanics including the Ages System, Syncretism, and a reworked Triumphs victory system, and is supported by ongoing post-launch content (Test of Time overhaul in May 2026, version 1.4.1 Hot Seat multiplayer in June 2026). Technical differentiation is built on a custom turn-based engine supporting historical simulation, era-appropriate audio, native-language voiceover, and platform-specific interfaces including a board game-like VR adaptation. The studio has received multiple BAFTA and D.I.C.E. Awards and an Apple Design Award nomination for Inclusivity in 2026.
Revenue is generated through four streams: premium one-time game licenses ($69.99 base price for Civilization VII on Steam with DLC and special editions), subscription revenue share from Apple Arcade ($6.99/month), paid DLC and expansion packs, and IP licensing royalties (XCOM tabletop via Modiphius Entertainment). Customer segments include core strategy game enthusiasts on PC and console, mobile/casual gamers via Apple Arcade, and inclusivity-minded players attracted by the franchise's representation work. Distribution and publishing are managed by 2K within the Take-Two Interactive infrastructure, providing global reach across all major gaming platforms.
Firaxis Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Firaxis Games
- Legal name
- Firaxis Games
- Website
- https://firaxis.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Firaxis Games is a Maryland-based strategy game studio and wholly-owned Take-Two/2K subsidiary founded in 1996 by Sid Meier, developing the Civilization and XCOM franchises plus Marvel's Midnight Suns for PC, console, mobile, VR, and cloud platforms, serving millions of strategy game enthusiasts worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Firaxis Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Strategy Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios (MPAFAAAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- VR/AR/XR Game Studios (MPAFAAAE), PC & Console Game Distribution Platforms (BPAMAKAA)
Keywords
Where Firaxis Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sparks
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Firaxis Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Premium Game Sales: Firaxis generates primary revenue through selling premium game titles at $69.99 base price for PC/Steam releases, with multiple editions (Settler's Edition) and expansions generating additional revenue
- DLC and Expansion Packs: Traditional Civilization franchise monetization through paid downloadable content including content packs, expansions, and additional leaders/civilizations post-launch
- Apple Arcade Subscription: Civilization VII on Apple Arcade is included with $6.99/month subscription, with Firaxis/2K receiving revenue share from Apple based on the flat subscription model
- Licensing - Tabletop Games: Firaxis licenses the XCOM IP to Modiphius Entertainment for tabletop game development as part of 30th anniversary celebrations, generating licensing revenue
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Civilization VII Steam Base Edition |
| Subscription | Monthly | Civilization VII Apple Arcade |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Civilization VII Settler's Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Civilization VII Content Collection |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Firaxis Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Firaxis Games is a video game development studio that designs, develops, and supports turn-based strategy franchises including the Civilization series, the XCOM tactical series, and Marvel's Midnight Suns. The studio sells premium boxed/digital games on PC (Steam), consoles, and Apple Arcade, with paid DLC/expansion packs extending each title's lifecycle, and licenses its IP (e.g., XCOM tabletop games via Modiphius). All releases are published under the 2K label as part of the Take-Two Interactive family.
Product overview
Firaxis Games is a world-renowned strategy game studio and pioneer of the turn-based strategy genre. The company's portfolio centers on flagship franchises Civilization (with seven major installments including the latest Civilization VII) and XCOM (with multiple titles), alongside Marvel's Midnight Suns. The studio operates as part of the 2K/Take-Two Interactive family, developing games across PC (Steam), console, cloud gaming (GeForce Now), VR (Meta Quest), and mobile (Apple Arcade) platforms. Recent releases include Civilization VII (2025) with major post-launch updates including the 'Test of Time' overhaul, XCOM: Chimera Squad (2020), and Marvel's Midnight Suns (2022).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sid Meier's Civilization VII The latest installment in the Civilization franchise: a turn-based strategy game where players guide civilizations from ancient times to the modern era through conquest, culture, science, and diplomacy, sold on PC, consoles, Apple Arcade, and Meta Quest VR.
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI The 2016 predecessor to Civilization VII: a turn-based 4X strategy game featuring hexagonal tile-based maps, city management, and competitive multiplayer, sold on Steam and console platforms.
- Sid Meier's Civilization V The 2010 installment in the Civilization franchise, introducing hexagonal grid maps and aggressive AI diplomacy, available for purchase on Steam and console platforms.
- Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth 2014 science fiction stand-alone spin-off of the Civilization franchise set on an alien planet, featuring hybrid technology trees and alien wildlife, sold via Steam and console platforms.
- Sid Meier's Starships 2015 strategy game exploring civilization-building themes in a smaller-scale starship combat setting, sold via Steam and other platforms.
- XCOM 2 2016 tactical turn-based strategy game where players command a resistance force fighting against alien occupation of Earth, featuring procedural mission generation and permadeath mechanics, sold on Steam and consoles.
- XCOM: Enemy Unknown 2012 reboot of the classic XCOM franchise — a tactical turn-based strategy game where players command a global defense force against alien invaders, sold on Steam and console platforms.
- XCOM: Chimera Squad 2020 tactical turn-based strategy game featuring unconventional agents and narrative-driven missions, sold on Steam and console platforms.
- Marvel's Midnight Suns 2022 tactical RPG combining turn-based strategy with supernatural superhero gameplay, featuring Marvel characters such as Blade, Ghost Rider, and Magik, sold via Steam and console platforms.
- Civilization VII VR Virtual reality adaptation of Civilization VII for Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets featuring a board game-like interface projected into physical space or a virtual museum environment with multiplayer support and pacing tuned for VR comfort.
Quantifiable outcome
- Steam review scores improved from 50% to 55% positive following Test of Time update
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Firaxis Games
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Firaxis Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Firaxis Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ApplecoreCivilization VII has been released on Apple Arcade, marking a notable addition to Apple's gaming service. The game is included with a $6.99/month subscription in the US. Firaxis team attended WWDC 26 where Civilization VII received Apple Design Award nomination for Inclusivity. Test of Time update is being brought to Apple Arcade later in 2026.
- MetaminorFiraxis announced Civilization VII VR port for Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets. The VR version features a board game-like interface projected into physical space or virtual museum environment, with multiplayer support and adjusted pacing for VR comfort. No price or specific release date announced yet.
- NVIDIAminorFiraxis is working closely with NVIDIA to bring many legacy Firaxis titles to the cloud through NVIDIA GeForce NOW. This partnership was announced as part of the studio's 30th anniversary celebrations, expanding accessibility of older games to cloud gaming platforms.
- WonderflyminorWonderfly is an event venue where Firaxis and 2K teams gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Firaxis Games, the studio rebrand, and the Civ VII Test of Time update. The event featured activities like bubble soccer and human foosball.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Firaxis Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Paradox Interactive: Public Swedish developer/publisher of grand-strategy and 4X titles including Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, Stellaris and Victoria. Directly competes with Firaxis in the strategy/4X niche targeting the same hobbyist core audience with similar turn-based and persistent-world mechanics.
- Creative Assembly: Sega-owned developer of the Total War franchise, blending turn-based strategy with real-time tactical combat. Direct competitor in the strategy genre with similar scale, multiple franchise releases, and Take-Two-equivalent publisher backing.
- Amplitude Studios: Sega-owned developer of Humankind, a direct Civilization competitor, and the Endless Legend/Endless Space series. Closely comparable 4X strategy developer in scale and sub-genre focus, now backed by a major publisher similar to Firaxis.
- Relic Entertainment: Sega-owned developer of Age of Empires IV, Company of Heroes, and Dawn of War. Mid-sized strategy-focused studio building long-running franchises much like Firaxis; operates as a label within a major publisher similar to Firaxis' 2K arrangement.
- Petroglyph Games: Independent strategy developer founded by ex-Westwood veterans, makers of Star Wars: Empire at War, Grey Goo, and Conan Unconquered. Comparable niche strategy developer with historical-faction and RTS/4X crossover focus.
- Slitherine: Specialist publisher/developer of strategy and wargames including the Matrix Games catalog, Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector, and Field of Glory series. Directly comparable strategy niche operator with deep content cadence and tabletop crossover.
Broad incumbents
- Ubisoft: Large global publisher/developer whose Anno and The Settlers franchises overlap with Civilization-style city-building strategy themes. Broader incumbent that competes at the casual-strategy tier and across broader genres rather than Firaxis' deep strategy niche.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Firaxis Games social profiles
Digital presenceFiraxis Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Firaxis Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Firaxis Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Firaxis Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Firaxis Games
What does Firaxis Games do?
Firaxis Games is a video game development studio that designs, develops, and supports turn-based strategy franchises including the Civilization series, the XCOM tactical series, and Marvel's Midnight Suns. The studio sells premium boxed/digital games on PC (Steam), consoles, and Apple Arcade, with paid DLC/expansion packs extending each title's lifecycle, and licenses its IP (e.g., XCOM tabletop games via Modiphius). All releases are published under the 2K label as part of the Take-Two Interactive family.
Is Firaxis Games a public or private company?
Firaxis Games is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Firaxis Games founded?
Firaxis Games was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Firaxis Games based?
Firaxis Games is headquartered in Sparks, United States, in the North America region.
How does Firaxis Games make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Premium Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are DLC and Expansion Packs, apple Arcade Subscription and licensing - Tabletop Games.
Who are Firaxis Games's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Paradox Interactive, Creative Assembly, Amplitude Studios, Relic Entertainment, Petroglyph Games and Slitherine. Ubisoft is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Firaxis Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Firaxis Games.
What industry is Firaxis Games in?
Firaxis Games's product category is Strategy Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAK, Strategy/4X/Management Game Studios, with a secondary code of MPAFAAAE, VR/AR/XR Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7371.