PCGame

Galactic Civilizations IV

Turn-based space 4X with custom civilizations and starship design

Stardock Entertainment · Released Oct 19, 2023

SimulationStrategy

AI-generated content disclosed

Reviews
Mostly Positive
71% of 2,306
Recent reviews
Mixed
68% of 19 in 30 days
Players
178
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
2 weeks ago
Oct 19, 2026
Minimum PC
1GB VRAM
8 GB RAM · 22 GB disk
Full requirements

What is Galactic Civilizations IV?

A turn-based 4X grand strategy game in which you lead a new interstellar civilization. Explore the galaxy, colonize and develop worlds, research technology, design ships and fleets, conduct diplomacy, and wage wars in customizable single-player or multiplayer matches.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy detailed, turn-based empire management in space
  • +you want to customize civilizations, ships, and match difficulty
  • +you prefer multiple victory paths and replayable sandbox matches

Not for you if...

  • −you dislike steep learning curves and heavy micromanagement
  • −you want direct control over tactical space combat

What players say

71% of 2,306 reviews are positive · 68% of 19 in the last 30 days

Players praise the deep ship designer, varied civilizations, flexible difficulty, and range of viable strategies. Common complaints include a clunky interface, heavy micromanagement, slow or repetitive campaigns, and persistent bugs; series veterans also disagree over whether it advances enough beyond earlier entries.

Players over time

▼ -41% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 355 players on Sep 21, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 2026178
Nov 6, 2026134
Nov 5, 2026113
Nov 4, 2026133
Nov 3, 2026140
Nov 2, 2026146
Nov 1, 2026187
Oct 31, 2026178
Oct 30, 2026127
Oct 29, 2026145
Oct 28, 2026147
Oct 27, 2026196
Oct 26, 2026203
Oct 25, 2026252
Oct 24, 2026257
Oct 23, 2026223
Oct 22, 2026214
Oct 21, 2026228
Oct 20, 2026221
Oct 18, 2026270
Oct 17, 2026229
Oct 16, 2026214
Oct 15, 2026228
Oct 14, 2026228
Oct 13, 2026265
Oct 11, 2026265
Oct 10, 2026275
Oct 9, 2026246
Oct 8, 2026237
Oct 7, 2026253
Oct 6, 2026253
Oct 4, 2026302
Oct 3, 2026263
Oct 2, 2026228
Oct 1, 2026226
Sep 30, 2026250
Sep 29, 2026264
Sep 27, 2026309
Sep 26, 2026290
Sep 25, 2026243
Sep 24, 2026238
Sep 23, 2026201
Sep 23, 2026246
Sep 22, 2026267
Sep 21, 2026355

Screenshots and trailer

Galactic Civilizations IV screenshot 1

Galactic Civilizations IV system requirements

Minimum: 1GB VRAM, 8 GB RAM, 22 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Galactic Civilizations IV?

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Minimum

OS
Windows 10 64-bit
Processor
Quad-Core Processor (Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 2x00)
Graphics
1GB VRAM Video Card
Memory
8 GB RAM
Storage
22 GB available space
DirectX
Version 11
Notes
720p Minimum Screen Resolution Required

Recommended

OS
Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit)
Processor
Quad-Core Processor (Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 2x00)
Graphics
1GB VRAM Video Card
Memory
16 GB RAM
Storage
22 GB available space
DirectX
Version 11
Notes
720p Minimum Screen Resolution Required

Does Galactic Civilizations IV have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: co-op online; PvP online. It also has a single-player mode. Crossplay with other platforms is declared.

Does Galactic Civilizations IV run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Achievements
86
Steam features
Workshop, Cloud saves, Family Sharing
Languages
Full audio: English. Text only: German, French, Russian, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Spanish - Latin America, Portuguese - Brazil, Portuguese - Portugal, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Korean.

Does Galactic Civilizations IV use AI-generated content?

Yes. The developers disclose AI-generated content on the game's Steam page:

This game used AI to help quickly iterate through designs for some UI elements using our own artwork as a baseline. AI is also used to help translate the game; and is used for the AlienGPT custom species system using player inputs.

The statement mentions: AI active during playArtText & translations

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

13 DLC available.

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