How many times can you watch this awesome Civilization 6 launch trailer while it pre-loads? Let's find out

Civilization 6 is nearly here. Prepare yourself by starting the download and weeping over the magnificence of human achievement.

Civilization is a game about dropping nuclear bombs before anyone else can do it, and human beings are rubbish monstrosities destroying the planet's capacity to sustain our form of life in a bid to hoard resources and luxuries with absolutely zero real meaning.

The Civilization 6 launch trailer, on the other hand, is a tear-jerking, inspiring, heart-wrenching meditation on humanity at its best. It almost makes me keen to try for a cultural victo- oh, bloody hell: Ghandi has invented tanks. Never mind, back to spamming infantry.

Civilization 6 releases on October 21 and if you have pre-ordered through Steam you can begin pre-loading now.

By the way, if you're looking for some Civ 6 action in the meantime 2K is hosting an AI battle on Twitch from 3:30pm ET Wednesday.

Eight AI Civs will go at it for your entertainment: Aztecs, Brazil, England, Greece (Gorgo), Japan, Rome, Russia and Spain. Cheer for your favourite and make notes on the tactics and strategies of the more successful factions.