Civilization

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:

1. End turn
2. See results of decisions
3. New opportunities appear
4. Need to address them
5. “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

See also

• Sid Meier
• MicroProse
• SimCity