Cheats & Secrets
Cheats & Secrets for Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Overview
Sid Meier's Civilization VI does not include traditional cheat codes, unlock codes, or console commands accessible during standard gameplay. Unlike some earlier entries in the series (e.g., Civilization V had the in-game chat as a console), Civilization VI intentionally omits cheat entry for balance in multiplayer and official competitive play. However, the game contains developer-intended hidden content, a debug mode for modders, secret achievements, Easter eggs, and hidden civilizations/features from expansions. This guide covers all legitimate secrets and hidden elements known in the community.
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No Traditional Cheats
- No standard cheat codes: Pressing keys or typing phrases (like "IAMDEITY" or "GOLD") does nothing in Civilization VI. The game has no built-in console for toggling resources, revealing the map, or unlocking all techs.
- No unlock codes: All leaders, wonders, and content are unlocked through normal play or purchasing expansions/DLC. No secret codes unlock hidden civilizations.
- Debug mode is not a cheat: While a debug menu exists, it is intended for developers and modders (see below). Using it can break achievements and is not supported for casual play.
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Developer Console / Debug Mode (Modding Tool)
A hidden debug console can be enabled manually by editing a configuration file. This is not a cheat in the traditional sense—it is a development tool. Use with caution; it may disrupt game balance and disable achievements.
#### How to enable the Debug Menu
1. Navigate to your `Documents/My Games/Sid Meier's Civilization VI` folder.
2. Open `AppOptions.txt` in a text editor.
3. Change `EnableDebugMenu 0` to `EnableDebugMenu 1`.
4. Save the file and restart the game.
5. During gameplay, press the tilde (~) key (or backtick `) to open the debug console.
#### Available Debug Commands (Partial List)
| Command | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| `Reveal All` | Reveals entire map (fog of war remains but visible) | Use only for testing |
| `Give Gold` | Adds 1000 gold to your treasury | Type exact, no parameters |
| `Add Tech` | Unlocks all technologies | Instantly completes all techs |
| `Add Civic` | Unlocks all civics | Same as above |
| `Unit Spawn [UnitType]` | Spawns a unit at the selected tile | Example: `Unit Spawn GIANT_DEATH_ROBOT` (requires modding knowledge) |
| `Kill Units` | Removes all units of a specific player | Not fully documented |
| `Toggle Fog` | Turns fog of war on/off | Only in debug mode |
| `Win Game` | Triggers victory screen for current player | Only in single-player |
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Hidden Achievements (Secret Achievements)
Civilization VI has many achievements that are not listed in the in-game menus until unlocked. These are considered "secret" and often require obscure actions.
| Achievement Name | How to Unlock | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "The Longest Yard" | Win a game on a duel map (1v1) with only one city | Requires both players to have one city |
| "Every Seven Years" | Have a Great Person that is a Spy get two promotions | Rare, specific conditions |
| "We Come in Peace" | Win a Religious Victory without ever declaring war on any civilization | No city attacks at all |
| "Giant Death Robot" | Build the Giant Death Robot unit (requires late-game techs) | Hidden until first construction |
| "Mansa Musa's Vault" | Accumulate 100,000 gold as Mansa Musa | Requires aggressive trade |
| "Praise the Sun" | Build the Solar Farm improvement as the Incans | Only possible after researching Advanced Ballistics |
| "Seven Wonders" | Complete all seven classical Wonders in one game | Requires specific map and difficulty |
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Easter Eggs
Firaxis included several cultural references and in-jokes.
- Giant Death Robot (GDR) sprite: The GDR’s idle animation includes it doing a “dab” dance move (a meme reference). This occurs randomly when the unit is selected.
- “The Game” reference: If you rename a city “Alphabet City”, the city produces +1 Culture. Not a real Easter egg – that’s fan fiction. The actual Easter egg: If you name a city “Boots”, the city gains +1 Production due to a hidden property.
- “Vulcan” quote: The Civilopedia entry for Aluminum references the Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".
- Steam Workshop Loading Screen: When loading a modded game, you might see a message “You have been warned!” with a hidden cat image.
- Ages of Faith: In the tech tree, the “Nuclear Fusion” tech icon is a humorously exaggerated mushroom cloud.
- Teddy Roosevelt quotes: His unique dialogue sometimes includes references to the “Bull Moose” Party, playing on his historical nickname.
- Lemmy Kilmister reference: The Great Musician “Lemmy” appears (based on Motörhead frontman) with a special guitar.
- Owls of Minerva: Focus on espionage and diplomacy. Unlocks the Spy district.
- Hermetic Order: Focus on science and Great Scientists. Unlocks Ley Lines.
- Voidsingers: Focus on faith and relics. Unlocks Cultists.
- Sanguine Pact: Focus on military and vampires. Unlocks Vampire units.
- Hidden Civilization: “Base Game” only: The game has no hidden civilizations beyond those unlockable via DLC. The “Babylon” civilization was added as DLC but is not secret.
- Natural Wonder Easter egg: The “Mount Everest” natural wonder has a hidden +3 Appeal to adjacent tiles beyond its standard bonus.
- Leonardo da Vinci: He appears as a Great Scientist with a unique ability to grant free tech boosts. Not secret, but a fun historical inclusion.
- “The Pen is Mightier” : A policy card that triggers a unique animation when activated – a quill writing on parchment.
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Secret Societies (Gathering Storm Expansion)
The Secret Societies game mode (added in the June 2020 update) includes four hidden organizations that offer unique bonuses. They are not “cheats” but hidden content that can be toggled in advanced game settings.
How to access: When starting a new game, go to Advanced Setup, enable “Secret Societies” under Game Modes. Each society reveals itself through a randomly occurring event during the game.
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Developer-Intended Hidden Content
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Conclusion
Civilization VI lacks traditional cheat codes but offers a rich set of hidden features through developer tools, secret achievements, and Easter eggs. For most players, the best way to “cheat” is to lower the difficulty or use mods (like “Cheat Menu” mod from the Steam Workshop). If you need temporary advantages, enabling the debug menu is the closest option, but it is not recommended for normal play.
Remember: Using debug mode or mods may disable achievements. Always back up saves before experimenting.