Civilization (series)

The Civilization series is a turn-based strategy video game franchise created by Sid Meier and currently owned by 2K Games. The core gameplay involves building an empire from a small settlement, developing technologies, and interacting (through diplomacy, trade, or warfare) with other civilizations controlled by the computer AI or human players.

The primary objective in most Civilization games is to achieve one of several victory conditions. These typically include military domination (conquering all other civilizations), scientific achievement (reaching the space age and launching a successful mission), cultural victory (becoming the most influential civilization through culture and tourism), religious victory (converting all other civilizations to your religion), and diplomatic victory (achieving world leadership through the World Congress/United Nations).

Gameplay is structured around a world map divided into tiles, typically hexagonal. Players manage cities, which produce resources, build units and structures, and generate culture, science, faith, and gold. Technological advancement is achieved through a technology tree, unlocking new units, buildings, and game mechanics. Social policies or civics allow players to customize their civilization's government and economy.

Key elements of the Civilization series include:

• City Management: Developing and specializing cities is crucial for resource production and overall progress.
• Technology: Researching technologies unlocks new possibilities and advantages.
• Diplomacy: Negotiating with other civilizations is essential for trade, alliances, and avoiding or mitigating conflicts.
• Warfare: Constructing and commanding armies to defend territory and conquer rivals is a common path to victory.
• Culture: Generating culture to unlock social policies and influence other civilizations is a key component of cultural victories.
• Religion: Founding and spreading a religion provides bonuses and can lead to a religious victory.
• Leaders and Civilizations: Each civilization is led by a historical figure who provides unique bonuses and abilities.

The series began with Sid Meier's Civilization in 1991 and has expanded to include numerous sequels, spin-offs, and expansions. The main entries in the series are:

• Sid Meier's Civilization (1991)
• Sid Meier's Civilization II (1996)
• Sid Meier's Civilization III (2001)
• Sid Meier's Civilization IV (2005)
• Sid Meier's Civilization V (2010)
• Sid Meier's Civilization VI (2016)

The Civilization series is known for its addictive gameplay, historical depth, and strategic complexity, and is considered a landmark franchise in the turn-based strategy genre.