Civilization. The evolution goes on.

Januar 24th, 2010 • Games

One of the most succesful computer games ever is about to reinvent itself completely. Sid Meier’s civilization is not only a brilliant computer game, it is also very flexible as it has found the way to consoles, iPhones and soon to Facebook. This is more than just an adaption. CIV is a highly complex strategy game, not necessarily dedicated to be played with simple interfaces. But it mastered this challenge and might soon redefine social gaming – in an unpredicted evolution in UX, marketing and gameplay.

I love Civilization. Chances are high that you played it. It can easily be labeled as one of the most addicitive pieces of entertainment ever. The rules:  you become the leader of a primitive tribe on a fictional continent (or real scenarios). Your job is to make this tribe flourish and to turn it from cavemen in 4000 B.C. into an advanced civilization ready for space conquest.

CIV has a 12% share of my teenage days as it made me play for days. Once you have built the Pyramids or declared War on this other tribe you could not stop anymore. And…the simple gaming principle did not rely on superior visual effects but on an outstanding and highly intelligent game. No two Civ matches were the same as the complex combination of environment, your people’s properties and your neighbours mixed up to a time-eating complex which you simply wanted to be the best in.

Rethinking a Computer Game

Civilization has been published in four versions with many additional updates. Mastermind Sid Meier always was the driver behind the success of the CIV family. And now comes the next step. While the PC version of Civilization IV is already five years old, the next generations of Civilization evolves as much as the player’s tribe – as it steps out of its native environment. From the classic PC to new touchpoints, first consoles, iPhone/ iPhone Touch and soon finally Facebook.

But what is so interesting about it? Well, beyond my personal happiness about fresh CIV sequels I think it’s a remarkable step for such a complex Game. Visually it was a rather simple board game-style piece of software. But functionalitites were vast.  Translating CIV to the iPhone must have been a highly challenging task from a UX perspective. But it worked out fine. The Civ iPhone app looks simpler than ever before as it is based on the console version CIV Revolution. It was revised nevertheless to fit perfectly well to the iPhone without losing the depth of the game. Plus the gameplay is faster. So it adapts better to the most likely mobile use cases – train that is. From a usability perspective I am absolutely stunned. The team around Sid Meier made one of the most complex strategy simulations ever work on a mobile handset. You can get it here for 7.99 Euro or as a lite version for free.

Next stop: The Mother of all Social Games

The next ‘translation’ of civilization has the potential to turn the world of social games upside down. 2010 will see the release of Civilization Network on Facebook. It’s obvious: A game which is based on human actions, strategy and tactics, cooperation and conflict is dedicated to work as a social game. And Sid Meier is still driving the whole concept.

I wanted to let you know we’ll soon be looking for beta testers to help us develop a unique new way to play Civilization. Ever since we finished Civilization® Revolution™ last year, I’ve been looking at ways of expanding the Civ gameplay experience to include solo, competitive and cooperative play to take advantage of the uniqueness of social networks. We’re calling this project Civilization® Network™ and the full game will be available next year on Facebook.

Of course I have applied to become beta tester. But currently nobody seems to know much about the process. Little is known about Civilization Network. Except that it stays true to what Civilization always was about – banding together, declaring war, winning elections, cooperating and fighting, trading and building wonders. In short: It will stay consistent to one of the most successful game concepts ever but it will evolve to fit to a new touchpoint. And that’s cool.

Civilization was about evolving. Funny that the game itself evolves constantly since 1991. While marketing revolves around new strategies and new touchpoints this game does exactly the same. Reinventing itself to fit to new realities. I am looking forward to Civ Network. Even though I am sure it will cripple our civilization.

Tell me about your experiences? Have you played Civilization? Did you try the iPhone app? What do you expect from CIV Network? Leave a comment.

Tags: Brands, Business, Civilization, Cool, Creativity, Future, Games, Gaming, Prediction, Social Gaming, Strategy

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