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Evolution involves the death of weaker individuals before they can breed. With soap (the yardstick of civilisation), surgery, rescue helicopters, dentistry, wheelchairs etc, weaker individuals aren't killed off so easily before they can breed.

Sid Meyer's Civilization isn't like Avalon Hill's Civilization. But it is a lot like Walter Bright's Empire.

Civilization 3 can also be controlled solely via the mouse interface I believe. It's turn-based, and I'm sure a lot of /.'ers can attest to its addictive and enjoyable gaming qualities. ;)

my favorite game ever is Civ III - which is available on the PS2. Is there a longer, more drawn out game than Civ III?

(please don't answer that)

Not to mention that many developers use far too many keyboard commands and the interface gets so complicated the game's a bear to play. There is something to be said for simpler designs on user interfaces to games.

I was ready to plunk down some bucks for the next version of Sid Meier's "Civilization on Mars".

Been several years since my favorite game, Civ 3 was a new release title.

FreeCiv supports OS X with Fink. I would think this would be a great game for the kids to get together and play. It would teach history, let them learn about ancient technologies etc.
If you feel like paying money, you might also think about getting Civilization 3, I've never played this game myself, but I recall Civilization II had a lot of good historical information about various technlogies and epochs in history. I would assume that this version would have something like that as well.
If you have any windows machines you might also consider exposing them to Alice, not it's not American McGee's twisted (and quite fun) game, but a project from Carnegie Mellon to teach kids about 3D and Game Programming.

With the release of Savage 2.0 yesterday, I plan on wasting all my "TV time" playing.

This one is almost as time consuming as previous addictions, and shares many of the same traits of both!

If you get slaughtered by a rabbit or a penguin, you've probably 'seen' me!

Yeah... I agree...

I actually think strategy games (I'm thinking RTS, and not turn-based games like Civilization III which can takes weeks to play) will actually be MORE POPULAR than FPS games for spectators. FPS and other action-oriented games (say something like Diablo II--yes, I'm old school and haven't played recent games in a while) are too repetitious and can end up being boring. Except for a select few who really know the game, most don't really know what is going on in an FPS game. In contrast, strategy games can be understood by the general population.

I think RTS games--and the like--will be popular in the future. Even team-oriented FPS games can be popular.

Sivaram Velauthapillai

I'm sorry, I just can't agree with the folks who argue that Indian software engineers with doctorate degrees making minimum wage working on outdated equipment in code sweatshops will somehow put me out of a job. I'll do it by fiddling with my 401k, IM-ing, kazooming, and playing Civ-III all day long.

Strategy:
Civilization III (and the Play the World expansion) is extremely good, and addictive. Better than cheesy poofs. The month will have passed before you notice if you get it ;-)

RPG:
Also, as another poster has written, Planescape Torment is good. D&D-based RPG, in a totally weird and twisted world. You can get it very cheap, but it's definitely a good game. The Baldur's Gate series is good too. Icewind Dale is not, it's got a plot more linear than a yard stick. Fallout and Fallout 2 are good too.

RTS:
Starcraft (with Broodwar) is good, even though it's old. Don't play it on Battle.net, the people there generally suck. Warcraft III is good too, but it seems quite a bit harder.

Puzzle:
Frozen Bubble is very addictive.

Sorry, but I don't know much about action games, because I hardly play them, but you might want to check out the Grand Theft Auto series. I kinda liked GTA.

You'll be happy to know then that they have announced an expansion to Civ III called "Play The World" - http://www.civ3.com/pressrelease.cfm

This seems to add a whole lot of cool things including:

" ... three different Internet and LAN game styles, including turn-based, simultaneous, and for the first time in a Civilization game, a turnless mode. Civilization game fans around the world can now face off in short, fast-paced games like Elimination, Regicide and Capture the Flag or play a more traditional Civilization-style game; in addition the expansion will support "Play by Email" and Hotseat games and will include multiplayer scenario support. Play the World will also expand your Civilization experience by adding eight new "Great Leaders;" eight new civilizations with specialized units for each; new map features including airfields, outposts and radar towers; two new terrain sets that allow players to customize their maps; additional interface enhancements like unit stacking and auto-bombard; and complete game editor and scenario support, including feudal Japan and World War II unit packs, that will allow players to create scenarios from any time period."

This should be coming out in December or so - where as SimCity 4 is slated for 2003. So perhaps you better mention to the g/f that there is another period of non-communication coming up.

Of course, there is also the release of MOO3 ...

Now timothy, i know you're challenged, but could you please read this before making any comments about mods for civ 3?

From the website:
"One of the enduring strengths of the Civilization franchise has been its ability to be customized by the fans...The editors in Civilization III are only the beginning. Based on feedback from the mod and scenario community we will make additional improvements and incorporate new features. The editors are just tools, ones that the fan community needs to make meaningful by creating new scenarios with.. As those in the 'trenches' of creating new content run into limitations, we'll work on eradicating those barriers. Firaxis is very interested in Civilization III having an active mod community, but need to know where our efforts are best spent. Together we can make Civilization III a potent platform for not only exploring factual history, but also your creativity and interests."

I've used the map editor in civ3 and it's quite good. IMHO your view of them wanting us just to play the game as is and not be creative is too simplistic.

• Civilization III - I only mention this because so many others have. I have it already. Yes, it sucks away all my free time and half my sleep time like a giant vaccum cleaner. However, that isn't really a *good* thing; I'm not really having all that much *fun*. If you, like me, sucked all the marrow out of Civ II, then it doesn't really bring a lot of new fun to the table. If you don't have a CIV right now though, yes you need Civ III.
• Kohan: Ahriman's Gift - I really liked the first Kohan. Its sort of a RTS version of Heroes of Might and Magic. The new version doesn't sound like much of a change, but as my main problem with the first one was that the campaign was too short, that could be a very good thing.
• Empire Earth - Sort of like Age of Empires, but in 3D. It could be great, it could be a bit dull. I couldn't really tell from the demo.
• Myth III - Squad-level RTS game. I keep hearing great things about this series, but I have get to get a Myth game, so I'm about due.
• Stronghold - RTS where you build and defend your own castle. Somewhat mixed reviews, but it looks interesting.
• Trade Empires - RTS Where the object is to build a trade network, not to take over the world militarily.

So, you can make more civs somehow (haven't figured out how, but there is supposed to be some type of editor), but they will just be cosmetic changes.

Here's how.

Using the supplied editing tools, players will be able to create and play with other custom civilizations.

Let me chime in with my love of this game also.

I'm thrilled that someone has finally made a sequel to a game that has the right balance of the old and the new.

I've played too many sequels where I can't even tell it's the same kind of game. And I've played too many where I think I'm still playing the original and I wonder why I paid for it again.

Civ3 has a good balance. I've not come across a change yet that I don't think improves the game. I admit it's still early, and I've only played at the easier levels so far to give myself a chance to adjust.

I think that overall this is a wonderful example of developing a game to make it better and not to just use the name to sell games (Civilization: Call to Power) or to rebrand the original in a new box.

As you've said, most "strategy" games are pretty streamlined, but I firmly believe that's because that is what most gamers want. I find most of the games were you have to keep an eye on what each of your cities is doing (i.e. the Civilization series) to be pretty tedious, and I know a lot more people that agree with me than disagree.

I think there is a small market for the level or realism you are looking for, but such games will never sell as well or be as widely loved as the Warcraft series, regardless of how much more realistic they are.

Civ III has already gone gold...

Civ3 has contoured maps. Elevations and terrain features affect strategies and combat. For example, positioning an artillery unit on top of a mountain will increase its range considerably.

I'm gonna wait to buy this game until it goes multiplayer. According to the CIV3 FAQ, the game will not have multiplayer support when it ships, although they plan on making some multiplayer options available in Spring 2002. (Not holding my breath.)

His company "Firaxis" is currently working on Civilization III, you can read all about it at civ3.com

In other news, Civilization 3 is due October 17.

It is true that FreeCiv is more a clone of Civilization II than Civilization I these days, but it still hasn't really hit that mark yet. Certainly not in the AI.

What is Sid Meier's role in the making of Civilization III?
Sid is the Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games. He is overseeing the project, making game play and design decisions.

www.civ3.com

Freeciv is great, don't get me wrong (it's much better than CivII IMHO), but I'm drooling just by thinking of a new version of the classic we all know and love.

http://www.civ3.com

this game looks incredible! god i can't wait