Firaxis Games sends word to expect open beta testing to begin next week for Sid Meier's Civilization World, the sociable installment in their strategy series. They don't offer an exact date for when the beta opens, but they do provide this description of the game:

From the multi-award winning Sid Meier’s Civilization® strategy game series, comes the famously addictive gameplay that has made it one of the greatest game series of all time, accessible to everyone on Facebook for free. In Sid Meier’s Civilization World, players join together with their friends to create the world’s most powerful, richest, smartest, or just plain coolest civilization. Leaders will also manage and grow their own city to maximize production and happiness. Collaborative players benefit the most as they team up with friends to win great battles, create great wonders of the world, share technologies and spy on enemies. Play as much as you like, whenever you like on your epic quest to build the most powerful nation and rule the world.