Strategy Sessions Weekly – December 13, 2025

Sometimes the biggest gaming news isn’t about what’s launching—it’s about what’s evolving. This week brings a finished co-op colony sim, massive naval combat changes for Civilization VII, and modding tools that could reshape Cities: Skylines II’s future. Let’s break down what actually matters for your gaming plans.

Game/News	Type	Platform	Status	Key Details
Civilization VII Update 1.3.1	Update	PC Console	Available Now	Naval combat overhaul, Great Library fix, Shattered Seas map type, Tides of Power Collection complete
Cities: Skylines II Patch 1.5.2f1	Update	PC Console	Beta Asset Editor	Beta asset editor launched, two creator packs (Skyscrapers + Supply Chains), modding tools available
Pioneers of Pagonia	1.0 Release	PC (Steam)	Available Now	Co-op colony sim by Settlers creator, left early access, 30% launch discount active
Total War: Warhammer 3	Expansion	PC	Summer 2026	Lords of the End Times expansion + free End Times update, dramatically alters Immortal Empires map
Wario World	Re-release	Switch 2	Available Now	2003 GameCube platformer, first official re-release, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack required
Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage	Early Access	PC (Steam)	Available Now	Roguelite deckbuilder, turn-based strategy card game, balance and content still evolving
Slitherine “Next” Event	Announcements	Multiple	2026 Titles	Multiple RTS and tactics game announcements, DLC reveals, modern RTS projects slated into 2026

🎯 Quick Wins

Pioneers of Pagonia hits 1.0 with launch discount. The co-op colony sim from Settlers creator Volker Wertich finally left early access on Steam this week, running a 30% launch discount. If you were waiting for the “finished” version before diving into medieval settlement building, now’s your moment to jump in with a friend.

Wario World joins Nintendo Switch Online. The 2003 GameCube platformer by Treasure landed on Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s Nintendo Classics library. It’s the first official re-release since the GameCube era, giving subscribers access to this punchy 3D collect-a-thon without needing to hunt down an original disc.

Pirates Outlaws 2: Heritage enters early access. This roguelite deckbuilder dropped on Steam this week for strategy card-game fans who enjoy the methodical planning of turn-based combat. The usual early access caveats apply about balance and content still evolving, but the core loop is playable now.

🧠 Strategy Spotlight: Civilization VII’s Naval Combat Overhaul

Update 1.3.1 just transformed how you fight at sea in Civilization VII. The December 9 patch completed the Tides of Power Collection while fixing what many players saw as broken naval mechanics. The Great Library wonder now works properly with coastal placement bonuses, and Commander units finally provide the naval leadership they’re supposed to.

What this means for your campaigns: coastal strategies just became way more viable. The new Shattered Seas map type specifically tests your naval prowess with fragmented landmasses and strategic chokepoints. You can read the full strategic breakdown in our Civilization VII Update 1.3.1 guide for adapting your playstyle to these changes.

The bigger context matters here too. Firaxis announced their 2026 roadmap includes reworking Legacy Paths and adding single-civilization gameplay modes. These naval fixes are laying groundwork for more complex maritime strategies coming throughout the year.

👀 Worth Watching

Total War: Warhammer 3 expansion coming summer 2026. Creative Assembly announced Lords of the End Times, a major expansion that dramatically alters the Immortal Empires campaign map through a free End Times update. If you’re invested in the campaign meta, this one deserves a wishlist spot now since it’s still eight months out.

Cities: Skylines II asset editor enters beta. Last week’s Patch 1.5.2f1 launched the beta asset editor, giving players tools to create custom buildings and props. Combined with two new creator packs (Skyscrapers by REV0 and Supply Chains by Badi_Dea), the modding scene is about to explode. Our Patch 1.5.2f1 breakdown covers everything you need to know about getting started with the new tools.

Slitherine’s “Next” event revealed multiple RTS projects. The event bundled announcements for existing tactics titles plus first looks at upcoming modern RTS games slated into 2026. Worth scanning the VOD if you follow grand strategy and wargaming releases closely.

💬 Community Corner

The Cities: Skylines community is already sharing impressive custom assets through the new beta editor. Early adopters report the learning curve is steep but manageable, with most basic building creation taking 2-3 hours once you understand the workflow. The official Discord has become the hub for sharing techniques and troubleshooting import issues.

⏭️ Next Week’s Prep

Watch for more details on Europa Universalis V and continued fallout from the Paradox-Colossal Order business split. The Civilization VII modding scene should start responding to Update 1.3.1’s changes, particularly around naval-focused custom scenarios. December’s shaping up as a surprisingly active month for strategy updates despite the holiday season.

Sources:

1. Notebookcheck – Pioneers of Pagonia 1.0 Launch
2. Reddit RTS Community – News Roundup
3. Goonhammer – Games Industry News
4. Strategy and Wargaming – Slitherine Next Event
5. Turn Based Lovers – December Releases
6. Video Games Chronicle – Wario World on Switch Online