To run the Rising Tide expansion for Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
, you must first have the base game installed on your system. Windows System Requirements
The expansion generally requires more storage space than the base game, with many sources recommending at least for the full installation. Civilization Support
For Windows, the game generally requires a 1.8-2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo/Athlon X2 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a 256MB DirectX 11-capable graphics card, with 13 GB of storage. Higher performance is recommended for optimal gameplay. Civilization Support macOS & Linux Requirements , both platforms require 4 GB of RAM and 8-10 GB of space.
Requires macOS 10.12.6 or later, Intel Core i3, and 4850/640M/HD 4000 graphics.
Requires SteamOS/Ubuntu 14.04, Core i3/A10 processor, and NVIDIA 260 graphics.
Can I Run Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide
To download and play Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide
on your PC, you need a minimum of 13 GB of available storage space.
Below is the structured technical report outlining the precise system requirements across supported operating systems according to 2K Support. 🖥️ Windows PC Requirements Minimum Specifications Recommended Specifications OS Windows Vista SP2 / 7 / 8 / 8.1 Windows Vista SP2 / 7 / 8 / 8.1 Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 64 2.0 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU Memory Graphics
NVIDIA 8800 GT / ATI Radeon HD 3650 / Intel HD 3000 (256 MB VRAM) To run the Rising Tide expansion for Sid
NVIDIA GT400 series / AMD HD5000 series / Intel IvyBridge or better DirectX Version 11 Version 11 Storage 13 GB available space 13 GB available space 🍎 macOS Requirements (Minimum) OS: macOS 10.12.6 (Sierra) or later Processor: Intel Core i3 (2.2 GHz) Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: ATI Radeon 4850 / NVIDIA 640M / Intel HD 4000 (512 MB VRAM) Storage: 8 GB available space 🐧 Linux / SteamOS Requirements (Minimum) OS: SteamOS / Ubuntu 14.04 Processor: Intel Core i3 / AMD A10 Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 260 (1 GB VRAM) Storage: 8 GB available space
Note: AMD and Intel graphics cards are not officially supported on Linux for this expansion. ⚠️ Critical Download & Installation Notes
Prerequisite: This is an expansion pack. You must already have the base game, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, installed on your system.
Internet Connection: A one-time internet connection is strictly required for initial Steam product authentication.
Third-Party Software: The download package automatically installs the Steam Client, Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Runtime Libraries, and Microsoft DirectX.
Civilization: Beyond Earth: Rising Tides System Requirements
These specifications will run the game at lower settings, typically at 720p or 1080p with reduced detail.
Civilization: Beyond Earth and Rising Tide were originally released for Windows only. However, Aspyr Media later ported the base game to macOS and Linux. Important: The Rising Tide expansion was officially released for macOS but NOT for Linux.
Assuming you already own Civilization: Beyond Earth on Steam, here is how to install Rising Tide successfully. OS: Windows Vista SP2 / Windows 7 SP1
Step 1: Launch the Steam client and log into your account.
Step 2: Navigate to your Library and find Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth.
Step 3: Click on the game. On the game’s hub page, scroll down to the "DLC" or "Expansions" section.
Step 4: If you have purchased Rising Tide, you will see it listed. Ensure the checkbox next to "Rising Tide" is checked (it usually is by default).
Step 5: If it is not yet downloaded, Steam will automatically begin downloading the expansion files. You may need to restart Steam.
Step 6: Once downloaded, launch Civilization: Beyond Earth as normal. The main menu will change to reflect the Rising Tide branding, and new game setup options will include "Aquatic Cities" and "Hybrid Affinity" rules.
Troubleshooting tip: If the expansion does not appear, right-click Beyond Earth in your Steam Library, select "Properties" > "DLC," and manually verify that Rising Tide is installed. If not, uncheck and re-check the box.
From a technical requirements standpoint, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth – Rising Tide is not a demanding expansion by 2025 standards. Any PC built in the last 8 years with a dedicated GPU and 8GB of RAM will run it comfortably.
The real "requirement" is your patience with the core game’s mechanics. Rising Tide fixes many of the original’s flaws—especially the boring diplomacy and land-locked stagnation—but it does not turn Beyond Earth into Alpha Centauri.
Final checklist before downloading:
If you meet these, go ahead. Install Rising Tide, select Admiral Klaas van Leeuwen’s ARC faction, build your first floating city on the fungal bioluminescent bay, and prepare to extort favors from your neighbors on the high seas.
This article was last updated for accuracy regarding Steam dependencies and system requirements. Always check the official Steam store page for the most current patch notes and OS support.
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide requires at least 13 GB of available storage space for installation on PC. This expansion adds massive overhauls to the base game , including the ability to colonize the ocean .
Because it is an expansion pack, you must already own the base game, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, to play it . 💻 PC System Requirements
A detailed breakdown of the minimum and recommended specs for Windows PC is provided below : Minimum Requirements Recommended Requirements OS Windows Vista SP2 / 7 / 8 / 8.1 Windows Vista SP2 / 7 / 8 / 8.1 Processor Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 64 2.0 1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU Memory Graphics Card nVidia 8800 GT / ATI Radeon HD 3650 / Intel HD 3000 nVidia GT400 series / AMD HD5000 series / Intel IvyBridge DirectX Version 11 Version 11 Sound Card DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card Part 3: macOS & Linux Requirements (For Steam
💡 Note: While older OS versions are listed in the official legacy requirements , modern storefronts like Steam no longer support operating systems older than Windows 10. 🍎 macOS & 🐧 Linux Requirements
If you are playing on a different platform, the minimum specifications slightly differ:
macOS: Requires macOS 10.12 (Sierra) or later, an Intel Core i3 (2.2 GHz) CPU, 4 GB RAM, and at least 8 GB of disk space .
Linux: Requires SteamOS or Ubuntu 14.04, an Intel Core i3 or AMD A10 processor, 4 GB RAM, and at least 8 GB of disk space . 🔗 Additional Digital Needs
Platform: Download and installation are handled through the Steam Client .
Internet Connection: An internet connection is required for initial installation and account verification . Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™ on Steam
Storage: 8 GB available space. Memory: 4 GB RAM. Storage: 8 GB available space. Minimum: * OS: SteamOS, Ubuntu 14.04. * Processor:
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide on Steam
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide Download Requirements and Guide
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide is an expansion pack for Civilization: Beyond Earth, a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games. The expansion was released on October 20, 2015, and adds new features, gameplay mechanics, and content to the base game. To download and play Rising Tide, ensure your system meets the necessary requirements.