Sydney, Australia– July 12, 2010 – 2K Games announced today the Sid Meier’s Civilization® V Special Edition, a robust retail package that contains collectable items and exclusive access to behind-the scenes content, will be available starting September 24, 2010 alongside the standard retail edition in Australia and New Zealand for $129.95. In development at 2K’s world-renowned Firaxis Games studio, Sid Meier’s Civilization V is the next entry to the original turn-based strategy franchise that reinvents the addictive “just one more turn” formula with a plethora of exciting new additions and enhancements.

In addition to a copy of the highly anticipated game, the following elements are included in the Civilization V Special Edition:

5 metal figurines based on units from Civilization V and manufactured by Reaper Miniatures
2 disc CD soundtrack of game score selections
DVD “Behind the Scenes at Firaxis on Civilization V”
176 page hardcover art book

Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagon tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire. The brand new engine orchestrates a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ experience than ever, featuring fully animated leaders interacting with players from a screen-filling diplomatic scene and speaking in their native language for the first time. Wars between empires feel massive as armies dominate the landscape, and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging players to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield. In addition to the new gameplay features debuting in Civilization V, an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements will also make an appearance.

Civilization V took the world by storm during E3 2010, earning numerous awards from the industry’s top writers including: Best Strategy Game (E3 Critics Awards), Best Strategy Game (IGN.com), Best Strategy Game (Machinima), Best PC Game (Game Informer.com), Best Strategy Game (Game Informer.com), Best Strategy Game (1UP.com) and more.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V is rated PG by the Australian Classification Board. For more information, please visit www.civilization5.com

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).