Sid Meier's Civilization Video Game Series
A series of turn-based 4X strategies, considered one of the milestones in the development of the genre. The series was created by the MicroProse studio, but over time the development team of Firaxis Games took over, while the intellectual property rights were owned by the Take-Two Interactive publishing concern.
The fathers of the series Civilization series are Sid Meier and Bill Stealey. The source of inspiration for the developers was the popular board game by Francis Tresham. The first installment of the series, i.e. Civilization, was released in 1991, arousing great interest among fans of turn-based strategies. The popularity of the game is best evidenced by the fact that more than 20 years after its release, the title was still available for purchase. For its sequel - Civilization II - fans had to wait five years. Due to perturbations related to the rights to the proprietary name "Civilization", starting with the third part released in 2001, the series was renamed as Sid Meier's Civilization. In 2005, fans lived to see the fourth installment of the series, viz. Sid Meier's Civilization IV; it was the first item from under this banner, using the Gamebryo three-dimensional graphics engine. All the above-mentioned productions were intended for personal computers. The breakthrough came in 2008 - the then debuting spin-off under the title Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution was prepared with consoles in mind. Admittedly, the fifth installment of the series, i.e. the game released in 2010 Sid Meier's Civilization V, came only to personal computers, but already released in 2014 the game Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2 appeared on mobile devices. Nevertheless, in the same year another spin-off of the series went on sale, viz. Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, which was already released exclusively for personal computers. The full-fledged sixth installment of the series, i.e. Sid Meier's Civilization VI, debuted in 2016; the game first hit PC, and later also appeared on consoles and smartphones and tablets. The first reports on the next project, viz. Sid Meier's Civilization VII, saw the light of day in 2023.
In the productions under the banner of Civilization the player's task is to direct the development of a chosen nation over several thousand years - from the oldest historical periods to the distant future. The game is played in turn-based mode, and in accordance with the schemes of 4X strategy, its pillars are exploration, expansion, exploitation and extermination. In the course of play, players erect and expand cities and networks of connections between them, exploit resources, develop technologies, conduct diplomatic activities, recruit units, and try to expand their empires at the expense of opponents controlling other civilizations. The economic, social and political relationships that occur here are generally based on simple algorithms. An important aspect of these games is that there are several paths to victory in them - from military, diplomatic and scientific, to religious. In doing so, each of the main installments of the series introduces a number of changes regarding both mechanics and technical issues.
Audiovisual setting of the games in the series Sid Meier's Civilization conforms to the standards of AAA productions. Initially, the developers used 2D graphics with an isometric view. The breakthrough in this respect turned out to be Sid Meier's Civilization IV, which was the first installment of the series with a graphics engine generating a 3D image.
Sid Meier's Civilization Series Evolution
2025
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
2016
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
2014
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
2014
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2
2010
Sid Meier's Civilization V
2008
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
2005
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
2004
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete
2001
Sid Meier's Civilization III
1999
Civilization II: Test of Time
1991
Sid Meier's Civilization
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
Strategy
February 6, 2025
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is the seventh installment in the iconic series of 4X turn-based strategies, once again focused on leading a civilization through years of development. Civ VII features many novelties, like new civilizations built on the rubble of the past ones.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
Strategy
October 21, 2016
The sixth installment of the legendary series of turn-based strategy games that allow us to control a selected civilization throughout several thousand years of its history. It was traditionally developed by Firaxis Games led by Sid Meier, the franchise’s creator, himself. Gameplay-wise, Civilization VI combines together the well-proven solutions of its predecessors but also introduces several revolutionary changes. The most important one is the city development. Metropolises can now span across more than one field and consist of four kinds of districts: industrial, scientific, trading, and military. The technology development system was also modified, so that every invention offers an additional mini-quest that provides a useful bonus. Significant changes were also introduced in diplomacy, and the combat mechanics now somewhat mitigate the restrictions introduced by the fifth installment of the series. The game traditionally features an extensive and fully configurable multiplayer mode.
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Rise and Fall February 8, 2018
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm February 14, 2019
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Strategy
October 24, 2014
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a turn-based strategy game released as a spin-off to the Civilization series. The game was produced by Firaxis Games studio, led by Sid Meier. The game is set on the surface of a distant planet, where the player has to build a self-sufficient colony. Gameplay mechanics follows the standards set by Sid Meier's Civilization V. Therefore, the game has you manage resources, develop new technologies, and constantly expand your settlement. The job is made more difficult by the rivaling nations that have their own plans to take over the planet. Apart from competing against AI, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth offers multiplayer mode for up to 8 players.
- Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide October 9, 2015
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2
Strategy
July 2, 2014
A side installment belonging to the legendary series of turn-based strategy games that use the name of Sid Meier as a trademark. While the previous Civilization Revolution was created mainly for the more popular home consoles, Revolution 2 was developed specifically for mobile device and PlayStation Vita owners. Similar to the previous installments, the game casts the player in the role of a leader in control of a civilization of their choice. The player's goal is to achieve global domination. The game begins in ancient times, with the player having little resources and few territories. Over time, the player develops technology, expands towns, recruits armies and obtains new territories - lands conquered have to be governed appropriately as well. Civilization Revolution 2 offers additional units, technologies, buildings, wonders, as well as previously unavailable leaders. What is also new, is the scenario mode, allowing the player to participate in various historical events, such as famous battles. The game offers three-dimensional visuals.
Sid Meier's Civilization V
Strategy
September 21, 2010
An extensive turn-based strategy game that came out as the fifth installment in the Civilization series, a popular franchise created by Sid Meier. Sid Meier's Civilization V was developed by Firaxis Games Studios supported by the publishing company Take Two Interactive. In accordance with the tradition of the series, player becomes the leader of a selected nation and leads it throughout a period of several thousand years. Gameplay mechanics underwent no major changes, and the new solutions (such as implementation of neutral city-states, hexagonal map grid, and the limit of one unit per field) are mostly results of evolution of previously employed ideas. Some visible changes were made to the visuals, which are now powered by a brand new graphic engine.
- Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings June 19, 2012
- Sid Meier's Civilization V: Brave New World July 9, 2013
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
Strategy
June 13, 2008
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution was created specifically for consoles, though the game belongs to one of the most popular strategy game franchises aimed at PC players. The series made its debut in early 1990s, as initiated by a company known as MicroProse; the Civilization series have been developed by Sid Meier's Firaxis Games nowadays. Similar to the previous installments, Revolution is a turn-based strategy game requiring the player to develop a civilization they have chosen - the process lasts for entire in-game millennia. Each of the sixteen playable nations was assigned to a famous leader, such as Napoleon or Cleopatra. The player not only has to explore and expand their civilization, but also ensure its constant development (cities, technologies, creating trade routes, establishing diplomatic relations, controlling both internal policy and military actions). One is capable of achieving victory here in several different ways, such as military conquest, going beyond earth, economic or cultural domination for instance. Apart from a single player experience, the game offers an opportunity to compete against other players. The version for home consoles comes with colorful, three-dimensional visuals.
Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles
Strategy
October 16, 2006
A set of four installments belonging to the classic Civilization franchise under the name of which the Sid Meier's strategy game series was developed, along with their various expansion packs. The compilation includes the following titles: Sid Meier's Civilization, Civilization II, Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization Scenarios, Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds, Civilization II: Test of Time, Civilization III, Civilization III: Play the World, Civilization III: Conquests, as well as a boxed edition of Civilization: The Card Game. The series has been popular for allowing the player to lead a civilization of their choice over millennia of economic, cultural and military development. The player's task here is to expand their cities, develop technologies and trade, take care of both internal and foreign policies, as well as to construct awe-inspiring wonders. As subsequent installments were released, the gameplay formula was being gradually developed - for instance, a full-fledged multiplayer component was introduced over time.
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Strategy
October 25, 2005
The fourth installment of the bestselling turn-based strategy games series launched back in 1991 by the gaming industry legend, Sid Meier. Civilization IV is another important step in the development of the franchise, combining the classical solutions of its predecessors with modern graphics and introducing a number of novelties and changes. Once again, the player assumes control over a nation of his choosing and leads it through subsequent millennia to total domination over a randomly generated world. Compared to the previous installments in the series, the fourth entry has a different system of state management and features expanded diplomatic options; furthermore, an emphasis was put on such factors as culture and religion. The game also offers new units, nations (18 in total), buildings, inventions, and resources to be traded. Thanks to the 3D graphics engine, the map is full of animated objects and can be freely zoomed and rotated.
- Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords July 24, 2006
- Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword July 20, 2007
- Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization September 22, 2008
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete
Strategy
September 14, 2004
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete is a complete set of the turn-based strategy Sid Meier's Civilization III and its two expansions: Play the World and Conquests. Sid Meier's Civilization III is the third installment of the renowned strategy game, where we have the opportunity to create the greatest civilization on Earth. Army commanders gain experience while fighting, making their combat skills more effective. Dual-layer diplomacy allows more advanced players to use all of the capabilities of international relations. The ability to trade money, techs, alliances, maps, cities, units, and resources is an additional advantage. The Play the World expansion has added several multiplayer game modes: Elimination, Domination, Regicide and King of the Mountain. On the other hand Conquests introduces a lot of new content, including eight civilizations and as many campaigns dedicated to them, new wonders, terrain elements, resources, natural disasters, buildings and town improvements, diplomatic options and government types.
Sid Meier's Civilization III
Strategy
October 31, 2001
The third full-fledged installment of the popular series of turn-based strategy games. The Firaxis Games studio, founded by Sid Meier after leaving Microprose, is responsible for its creation. As in the previous iterations of the cycle, in Civilization III we take the wheel as the leader of a selected civilization, and our task is to guide it through the subsequent eras of development, from 4000 BC to the present day. Our duties include e.g. systematic expansion of our lands, foundation and development of new cities, training of military units and settlers, development of new technologies and either leading our nation in war or establishing good diplomatic ties and relations with other nations. There are several roads to victory, aggressive expansionism being only one of them. Sid Meier's Civilization III features 16 playable civilizations, each of which is distinguished by a unique character and skill set. The third installment introduces army commanders, as well as rare resources essential for the production of specific weapons and technologies. Graphic design has been improved significantly, and the gameplay experience is further enhanced by a professional soundtrack.
- Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play the World November 5, 2002
- Sid Meier's Civilization III: Conquests November 4, 2003
Civilization II: Test of Time
Strategy
August 5, 1999
An expanded edition of the cult turn-based strategy game by Sid Meier. Civilization II: Test of Time offers new worlds and a number of enhancements. The gameplay remains nearly unchanged in comparison with the vanilla version. Our task is still to forge the most powerful of civilizations, which we can achieve by conquest, economic development, diplomacy as well as trade and science. The player can play in three universes: the classical Civilization II: Test of Time, the fantasy game of World of Midgard and the science fiction universe of Lalande 21185. In the classical mode, we have to develop our civilization for six millennia—from 4020 BC to the times of space exploration. Moreover, Civilization II: Test of Time offers expanded research trees, enhanced artificial intelligence, improved graphics, and a multiplayer mode for up to 8 players playing on a single machine or over a LAN or the Internet.
Sid Meier's Civilization II: Multiplayer Gold Edition
Strategy
April 30, 1998
A special edition of Sid Meier's Civilization II. This version of the game came with a highly-anticipated multiplayer mode. In Multiplayer Gold Edition gameplay remains the same - we still lead a chosen civilization over the centuries to world domination by military or economical conquest. As previously, the players must focus not only on the expansion of their cities, technological advancement, and the creation of a proper political system, but also diplomatic relations with other countries and world exploration. Along with the standard in-game content of the base game, Sid Meier's Civilization II: Multiplayer Gold Edition comes with the 39 scenarios from the Fantastic Worlds and Conflicts in Civilization expansions. Seven people can play in multiplayer mode through LAN, Internet, or on one computer in the hotseat mode.
Sid Meier's Civilization II
Strategy
June 30, 1996
A sequel to the extremely successful turn-based strategy game Sid Meier's Civilization. Like in the first installment, our goal is to create a global empire through the advancement of army, economy and politics. Going from the year 4000 B.C. up to the distant future, the player can lead one of the 21 playable nations to its glory. Unlike its predecessor, the sequel allows the player to modify the rules of the game, like choosing the opponent, setting victory conditions, or changing the shape of the world. Also, there are two scenarios available: one set in the times of the Roman Empire and the other during the Second World War period. The civilization's development begins with the establishment of a settlement, its gradual expansion and the production of military and civil units. Subsequently, the player chooses the form of government and diplomacy, trade, technological investment and so on. Victory can be achieved in many ways: eliminating all opponents, cultural domination, or sending a colony spaceship to Alpha Centauri. The game comes with a map editor.
- Sid Meier's Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds July 20, 1997
- Sid Meier's Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization Scenarios November 20, 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization
Strategy
April 21, 1991
The first installment of the cult economy simulation strategy game series that lets us lead the development of a chosen civilization through millennia. In Sid Meier's Civilization, we start out in 4000 BC and guide our nation to the futuristic times of space colonization. The player can choose the path of peaceful development, concentrating their efforts on science and culture, or focus on military conquest — both ways can lead a skillful leader to domination over competing nations. Our responsibilities include raising armies, founding and expanding cities, erecting Wonders of the World, inventing new technologies, conducting diplomacy, determining political system, trading, and waging grand wars. All of these activities take place in turns. Sid Meier's Civilization is characterized by complicated economic and social dependencies as well as options of military and scientific development.
Sid Meier's Civilization Series News
Civilization 7 Devs Ensure „Authentic and Sincere” Representation of the Shawnee. Tribe Leader's Passion for Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Also Helped
In Civilization VII, one of the available leaders will be Tecumseh, the leader of the Shawnee. Firaxis studio ensured their „authentic and sincere” representation in the game.
video games
Martin Bukowski
October 9, 2024
Civilization 7 Promises to Make Every Decision Interesting. New Age System Was „Scariest Change” for Series' Devs
Changing the age system in Sid Meier's Civilization 7 slightly frightened the developers, but Firaxis studio believes it made the right decision.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
September 17, 2024
Detailed Look at Antiquity in Civilization 7. Firaxis Unveils Potential Paths and Major Changes
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 developers showcased the age of antiquity during a more than 2-hour stream. We learned more about the so-called „Potential Paths”.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
September 13, 2024
Civilization 7 on Steam Will Use Denuvo. Gamers Are Mad, Declare Preorder Returns and No Purchase
Denuvo protection will be implemented in Sid Meier's Civilization 7. Players are strongly unhappy about this.
video games
Martin Bukowski
September 2, 2024
Civilization 7 Drops Feature That Frustrated Civ 6 Players
Firaxis Games studio announced that Civilization 7 won't use the 2K launcher. Interestingly, the disliked and troublesome program has also been removed from the sixth installment of the series available on Steam.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
August 16, 2024
Civilization 7 Drops Feature That Frustrated Civ 6 Players
Firaxis Games studio announced that Civilization 7 won't use the 2K launcher. Interestingly, the disliked and troublesome program has also been removed from the sixth installment of the series available on Steam.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
August 16, 2024
Civilization 7 Is Set to Be „Revolutionary New Chapter in the Franchise.” Over 20 Minutes of Presentation Await Us
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is expected to be a revolution for the series, as the developers will try to convince us during gamescom 2024 and the first gameplay showcase.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
August 2, 2024
Civilization 7 Gameplay Reveal Date Announced
Firaxis Studio announced the first gameplay demonstration of Sid Meier's Civilization VII turn-based strategy.
video games
Adrian Werner
July 29, 2024
Sid Meier Reflects Fascinating Story of the Eternal War in Civilization
Designer Sid Meier recalled the now-legendary story of Eternal War, the Civilization II gameplay that reached year 3991 and was dominated by an endless conflict involving nuclear weapons.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 27, 2024
Sid Meier Reflects Fascinating Story of the Eternal War in Civilization
Designer Sid Meier recalled the now-legendary story of Eternal War, the Civilization II gameplay that reached year 3991 and was dominated by an endless conflict involving nuclear weapons.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 27, 2024