Look, mark your calendars: this July, Sid Meier's Civilization VII (hereafter Civ 7) is expanding its horizons by welcoming both Goryeo and Joseon as playable civilisations. And yes, the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-sin is officially set to take the helm as a new leader.

Firaxis dropped the news on the 16th via the official Civ 7 Steam page, detailing the next major patch. The real headline here is the 'Brush & Blade' paid content collection, arriving just in time for the 1.4.1 update on the 22nd. The developers claim they are 'exploring the rich history of Korea and Japan, striking a delicate, beautiful balance between refined artistry and legendary warfare'—in what they call a deep dive, at least.

Split into two parts, it is Part 2, arriving in July, that shifts the spotlight firmly onto Korea. We are getting Goryeo and Joseon as new civilisations, with Admiral Yi Sun-sin leading the charge. This follows the addition of 'Silla' as an ancient-era civilisation in last July's 'Rights of Rule' collection, meaning we are getting a Korean expansion exactly one year later. It is a familiar sight for veterans, given that Civ 6 also featured Korea, Seondeok, and Sejong the Great.

Before we get to the Korean content, Japan takes the stage on June 22nd. Toyotomi Hideyoshi joins the roster as a new leader, bringing the Heian and Sengoku periods into the fray, along with four fresh Wonders. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming trailer and official guides, which the studio promises to share soon.

The 1.4.1 free update also packs a punch. We are finally getting 'hot-seat' multiplayer for local sessions, a revamped archipelago map, and a new 'Traditions' unlock system that lets you leave a permanent mark on your civilisation's history. Naturally, there is also the usual spread of bug fixes and quality-of-life tweaks. Best of luck with your conquest.