Civilization V: Gods & Kings Expansion Pack coming late spring

2K has announced the Gods & Kings Expansion Pack for Civilization V is currently in development with Firaxis and will be released in late spring.

New gameplay content will allow players to found a Pantheon of the Gods and task their created prophets with spreading customized religion across the world.

The expansion includes new types of city-states - Mercantile and Religious - and new systems for land and naval combat. It also includes nine new civilizations; nine new wonders; three original scenarios; dozens of new units, buildings, technologies and resources.

The new Civilizations and leaders include Carthage, the Netherlands, the Celts and the Mayans, each with unique traits, units and buildings. William I, Prince of Orange, Boudicca and Pacal the Great are just a few of the new leaders.

Three new scenarios let gamers experience the medieval period, the fall of Rome, and Empires of the Smoky Skies, a Victorian science-fiction scenario.

A reworked combat system and AI has also been added, with an emphasis on a balanced army composition. Additionally, the navy is now split into two different ship types: melee and ranged, making coastal cities vulnerable to a surprise naval attack.

Diplomacy and espionage has been enhanced with the addition of embassies in foreign courts. Players can use their ambassadors for closer ties or espionage.

Plus, as the religions of the world start settling in and the world moves into the Renaissance, spies can be unlocked to establish surveillance of foreign cities, steal advanced technologies from your strongest competitors, or garner influence with City-States through election rigging, or even a coup.