Civilization
One more turn
Sid Meier's Civilization let players guide a society from the Stone Age to the Space Age, creating the 4X genre and one of gaming's most addictive formulas.
Overview
Civilization (1991) asked: what if you could play all of human history? Sid Meier and Bruce Shelley created a game where players founded cities, researched technologies, waged wars, and built Wonders—all while competing against rival civilizations. The “one more turn” compulsion it created has kept players awake for decades.
Fast facts
- Developer: MicroProse.
- Designers: Sid Meier, Bruce Shelley.
- Original platform: PC (1991).
- Genre: established the “4X” category (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate).
Core systems
| System | Function |
|---|---|
| Cities | Population centres, production |
| Technology | Unlock units, buildings, abilities |
| Combat | Unit-based warfare |
| Diplomacy | Trade, treaties, war |
| Wonders | Unique civilization bonuses |
Technology tree
Research unlocked progress:
- Ancient era: The Wheel, Writing, Bronze Working
- Medieval: Feudalism, Gunpowder, Banking
- Industrial: Steam Power, Electricity, Railroads
- Modern: Nuclear Power, Space Flight
Victory conditions
Multiple paths to winning:
| Victory | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Conquest | Eliminate all opponents |
| Space Race | Launch colony ship to Alpha Centauri |
| Score | Highest points at 2050 AD |
Civilizations
Playable nations with unique traits:
- Romans, Greeks, Egyptians
- Americans, Russians, Chinese
- And many more across versions
“One more turn”
The addictive loop:
- End turn
- See results of decisions
- New opportunities appear
- Need to address them
- “Just one more turn…”
Franchise
| Game | Year | Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Civilization | 1991 | Original formula |
| Civ II | 1996 | Expanded depth |
| Civ III | 2001 | Culture, resources |
| Civ IV | 2005 | Religion, Firaxis |
| Civ V | 2010 | Hex grid, one unit per tile |
| Civ VI | 2016 | Districts, continued evolution |
Influence
Civilization spawned:
- Entire 4X genre
- Alpha Centauri (spiritual successor)
- Countless imitators and derivatives
- Strategy game design philosophy