Civilization Returns to PCs in 2005
Make it do something constructive for a change.
Sid Meier has had a good few years. In addition to releasing SimGolf, Pirates! and Alpha Centauri, Meier has also been responsible for the popular and critically acclaimed Civilization series.
Now, three years after Civilization III stole the lives of millions of PC gamers, the series is preparing to return in force in 2005. Take Two Interactive has signed an exclusive deal with developer Firaxis that will see Take Two's new subsidiary 2K Games publish Civilization IV and its expansion packs.
"In Civilization, we've created a world with endless possibilities that has been embraced by game players all over the globe," said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis.
"With the upcoming addition of Civilization IV, our core fans and newcomers alike will enter a world of unparalleled scope and detail."
Part of this scope is allowing gamers to take part in the development of the world themselves. The game will allow motivated bedroom-coders to create their own add-ons using some of the more popular scripting languages. Civilization IV will also feature a reworked graphics engine and new single and multiplayer modes.
According to a recent posting by Meier at Firaxis' Web site, the game is already "well into development". The game is expected to hit stores towards the end of 2005.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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