Civilization IV 1242441 226160555 2008-07-17T02:33:16Z 70.169.53.125 Civilization Revolution is now the "latest" so I adjusted the description to be up to date. {{Infobox VG | title = Sid Meier's Civilization IV | image = [[Image:CivIVboxshot.jpg|256px|Sid Meier's Civilization IV]] | developer = [[Firaxis Games]] | publisher = [[2K Games]] & [[Aspyr]] | designer = [[Soren Johnson]] | engine = [[Gamebryo]] | version = 1.74<ref>[http://www.firaxis.com/support/support_detail.php?gameid=6&patch=1 Firaxis Games: Games: Sid Meier's Civilization IV<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (July 20, 2007) | released = '''[[Microsoft Windows]]'''<br> {{vgrelease|NA|NA|[[October 25]] [[2005]]}}<br> {{vgrelease|PAL|PAL|[[November 4]], [[2005]]}}<br> '''[[Mac OS X]]'''<br /> {{vgrelease|International|INT|[[June 30]] [[2006]]}} | genre = [[Turn-based strategy game]] | modes = [[Single player]], [[multiplayer game|Multiplayer]] | ratings = {{vgratings|ESRB=E10+|PEGI=12+}} | platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS X|Mac]] | media = [[CD]] (2), [[DVD]] (1) | requirements = 1.2&nbsp;[[GHz]] [[central processing unit|Processor]], 256&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] [[RAM]], 64&nbsp;MB [[video card]] w/ [[transform and lighting|Hardware T&L]] + [[Pixel shader]], [[sound card]], 1.7&nbsp;GB [[Hard disk drive|HDD]] | input = [[computer mouse|Mouse]], [[computer keyboard|Keyboard]] }} '''''Sid Meier's Civilization IV''''' ('''''Civilization 4''''' or '''''Civ4''''') is a [[turn-based strategy]] [[Personal computer game|computer game]] released in 2005 and developed by [[game designer|lead designer]] [[Soren Johnson]] under the direction of [[Sid Meier]] and Meier's [[video game developer|studio]] [[Firaxis Games]]. It is the forth installment of the acclaimed [[Civilization (series)|''Civilization'' series]]. ''Civilization IV'' was released between [[October 25]] and [[November 4]], [[2005]] in North America, Europe, and Australia. The game's first expansion, ''[[Civilization IV: Warlords|Warlords]]'', was released on [[July 24]], [[2006]] in the United States and [[July 28]], [[2006]] in the European Union. A second expansion, ''[[Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword|Beyond the Sword]]'', was released worldwide between [[July 18]] and [[July 30]] [[2007]]. As of [[March 28]] [[2007]], ''Civilization IV'' has sold more than 1.5 million copies,<ref>[http://ir.take2games.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=235572 Take 2 Games - Investor Relations General Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and as of [[March 26]] [[2008]], it has sold 3 million copies according to [[Take-Two Interactive]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=16 |title=Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer |accessdate=2008-04-01 |date=2008-03-26 |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]] |pages=16 |format=[[PDF]]}}</ref> ''Civilization IV'' is a turn-based game in which the player builds an [[empire]] from scratch. All standard full-length games begin in [[4th millennium BC|4000 BC]] with a settler who builds a single city. From there, the player expands an empire while contending with rival nations, using the [[geography]], developing infrastructure, and encouraging scientific and [[culture|cultural]] progress. By default, players can win the game by accomplishing one of five goals: conquering all other civilizations, controlling the majority of the world's land and population, being the first to construct and launch a space ship capable of colonizing [[Alpha Centauri]] and have it land there first, increasing the Culture ratings of three different cities to "legendary" levels, or by being declared "World Leader" by winning a popularity election through the [[United Nations]]. If the game's clock runs out (by default in the year 2050 AD) with none of these goals fulfilled by any nation, the nation with the highest score is declared the winner. ''Civilization IV'' was released in [[English language|English]], [[German language|German]], [[French language|French]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], and [[Chinese language|Chinese]]. Fans have also made [[Russian language|Russian]], [[Finnish language|Finnish]], [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Polish language|Polish]] and [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] translations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civfanatics.com/news2/comments.php?id=721|title=www.civfanatics.com/news2/comments.php?id=721<!--INSERT TITLE-->|accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=176470|title=forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=176470<!--INSERT TITLE-->|accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref> == Gameplay == <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Mansa musa in civ iv.JPG|thumbnail|right|150px|[[Mansa Musa]], the leader of the [[Mali Empire]], insulted by the player's decisions.]] --> === Diplomacy === Diplomacy in ''Civilization'' generally involves the trading of goods. Specific technologies are required to trade different commodities (for instance, one must know the secret of [[paper]] to trade [[world map]]s). Players may trade technologies, resources (including luxuries such as wine), maps (to reveal information about the rest of the world) and [[gold]]. Advanced diplomacy options include the creation of [[embargo|trade embargoes]], the promise of military aid, and the adoption of particular civics and/or a [[religion]]. Finally, the [[United Nations]] wonder allows the passing of global [[United Nations resolution|resolutions]] (e.g. the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]]) in addition to granting access to the diplomatic victory. Unlike real-world resolutions, ''Civilization IV'' resolutions are binding. The reasoning behind diplomacy is more transparent when compared to ''[[Civilization III]]'' (''Civ3''): the Diplomacy window now not only displays the other leader's disposition towards the player (from friendly to furious), but ''why'' they feel that way (e.g "-2: You refused to stop trading with our worst enemies!"). When a leader is sympathetic towards another civilization, they are more likely to accept deals without unfair bargaining. === Combat === <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Civ02.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Screenshot of a ''Civilization IV'' game, played as the [[Germany|Germans]] during a build-up for war.]] --> Instead of receiving generic increases in rank as in ''Civ3'', the player is allowed to "promote" ''Civilization IV'' units with specific upgrades that provide bonuses in certain situations (+25% city defense, +25% vs. melee units, etc). There are 41 different types of combat promotions. It is also now possible for players to examine "combat odds" before attacking, giving the player an idea as to whether a given attack will succeed or not. Units no longer have separate attack and defense values; instead, its health points are also its attack value. Prior to the 1.52 patch, a damaged unit had its combat strength likewise reduced; after the patch, flat base strength was used, allowing damaged units to still fight at full strength. After the 1.61 patch, damaged units fight with the average of their current and full strengths. === Production and trade === The game features 32 types of resources which require a terrain improvement (such as a farm or an oil well) to be used or traded. Resources enable construction (a [[knight]] unit cannot be built without [[horses]] and [[iron]]), double the speed of construction (the [[Pyramids]] are built twice as fast with [[stone]] available) or simply add production, food, happiness and/or gold to the city's output. To trade goods or to send them to other cities within one's border, they must have some form of connection between the goods and the city. In the later game, this connection can be through ocean tiles, but in the early game, it is limited to roads and rivers. Cities on the same river or same coastline (with the [[sailing]] technology) are automatically connected for trading purposes. <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Spacelevciv4.jpg|thumb|320px|right|The futuristic [[space elevator|Space Elevator]], a World Wonder]] --> Unlike in ''Civ3'', the player is no longer able to transfer all production from one project to another, but all production on an already-begun project will remain. For example, if the player is building a [[temple]] but decides to switch to a [[harbor]], production on the harbor will start from scratch, but the temple will stay in the building queue and retain all previous progress, aside from some decay over time. As an ancillary rule, if one culture is building a World Wonder but another empire completes it first, the losing culture is compensated with gold proportional to the number of production points lost in the failed attempt to build the wonder. Trade can be conducted with any civilization that the player has made contact with. AI Civ leaders tend to view resources in two groups. There are key resources such as stone, iron, uranium, and the like that assist in weapon and building production, and all other resources, such as incense and spices, which are helpful to a Civilization but not necessary for unit production. The AI will typically not trade key resources away unless another key resource is being given. Thus all key resources are considered of equal value to the computer. Similarly all other resources that do not affect units and building are considered equal as well. This can lead to exploitation by using a less valuable Key resource to obtain a high demand one. For instance ivory (elephants) can be traded equally for uranium and the AI will gladly oblige if they are on fair terms with the player. Trading for a single instance of a resource gives you all the benefits of it. === Religion === The concept of [[religion]] is new to ''Civilization IV'', where in previous games players built generic temples and cathedrals to contribute to happiness and culture. There are now seven distinct religions in the game: [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]], [[Confucianism]], [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]] and [[Taoism]]. Each religion is associated with a specific technology on the tech tree; the first civilization that gains the technology founds the religion. The four later religions (Christianity, Confucianism, Islam, and Taoism) begin with a free [[Missionary]] unit for reasons of game balance; missionaries can later be trained at a city that has constructed an associated [[monastery]]. Other than this, there are no special traits or bonuses associated with any particular religion in order to avoid controversy. Religion factors into a number of existing game mechanics. Civilizations that share a common state religion will find themselves more agreeable in their diplomatic dealings; conversely, civilizations with differing state religions will not be as close diplomatically. The religion's founder may also receive an economic benefit: if that civilization expends a Great Prophet at their religion's [[holy city|holy (founding) city]], they will construct that religion's most sacred building, and it will generate 1 gold per turn for every other city that hosts said religion. Once a religion has spread to a city, there is no way to remove it from said city. Finally, if a civilization has a state religion and owns that religion's holy city, they will receive 'line-of-sight' (fog of war is lifted) in every other city hosting that religion. The new civics model of government also has a strong effect on religion. Players can found a state religion, declare religious freedom, restrict non-state religious adoption, or take other actions that have profound impacts on the religious lives of their subjects. These civics can provide a great incentive to spread a state religion throughout one's empire, as the best bonuses will only be applied to cities in which the religion is present. === Civilizations and leaders === Each of the eighteen civilizations has at least one leader, and eight have two leaders. Each leader has two 'personality traits' which offer bonuses to various game mechanics, as well as a distinct personality and behavior. Several historic figures not used in previous Civilization games, but included in ''Civ IV'' are: [[Asoka]], [[Cyrus II of Persia|Cyrus II]], [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[George Washington]], [[Hatshepsut]], [[Mansa Musa]], [[Kublai Khan]], [[Peter the Great]], [[Qin Shi Huang]], [[Saladin]] (though Saladin was a hidden leader in ''[[Civilization II]]''), and [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]. Some art assets also existed in the game files for a [[Sumerian]] civilization led by [[Gilgamesh]] and they were used by the [[Mod (computer gaming)|modding]] community to introduce the Sumerians into the game. Other unfinished art included leader head artwork for [[Pericles]], [[Augustus]], and [[Menes]]. Gilgamesh, Pericles and Augustus were officially added in the expansion packs later.[http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=139720] All civilizations have some element of uniqueness and all leaders have certain traits based on their achievements in life. All civilizations also have a unique unit, which replaces a standard unit (such as [[Persian Immortals]] replacing Chariots). Below is a summary of the unique features of each civilization. {{-}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! Short Description ! Civilization ! Starting Advances ! Unique Unit ! Leaders ! Leader Traits ! Favorite Civic ! First City |- | rowspan="2"|[[United States|America]] | rowspan="2"|American Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Fishing]], [[Agriculture]] | rowspan="2"|[[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]] (replaces [[Marine (military)|Marine]]) | [[George Washington]] | Financial, Organized | rowspan="2"|[[Universal Suffrage]] | rowspan="2"|[[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] |- | [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] | Industrious, Organized |- | [[Arab World|Arabia]] | Arabian Empire | [[Mysticism]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | [[Camel Archer]] (replaces [[Knight]]) | [[Saladin]] | Philosophical, Spiritual | [[Theocracy]] | [[Mecca]] |- | [[Aztec]] | Aztec Empire | [[Mysticism]], [[Hunting]] | [[jaguar warrior|Jaguar]] (replaces [[Swordsmanship|Swordsman]]) | [[Moctezuma II|Montezuma]] | Aggressive, Spiritual | [[Police State]] | [[Tenochtitlan]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[China]] | rowspan="2"|Chinese Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Agriculture]], [[Mining]] | rowspan="2"|[[Repeating crossbow|Cho-Ko-Nu]] (replaces [[Crossbow]]) | [[Mao Zedong]] | Philosophical, Organized | [[Public ownership|State Property]] | rowspan="2"|[[Beijing]] |- | [[Qin Shi Huang]] | Industrious, Financial | [[Police State]] |- | [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] | Egyptian Empire | [[Agriculture]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | [[Chariot|War Chariot]] (replaces Chariot) | [[Hatshepsut]] | Spiritual, Creative | [[Monarchy|Hereditary Rule]] | [[Thebes (Egypt)|Thebes]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[England]] | rowspan="2"|English Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Fishing]], [[Mining]] | rowspan="2"|[[Red coat (British army)|Redcoat]] (replaces [[Rifleman]]) | [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Victoria]] | Expansive, Financial | [[Representative democracy|Representation]] | rowspan="2"|[[London]] |- | [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth]] | Philosophical, Financial | [[Freedom of religion|Free Religion]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[France]] | rowspan="2"|French Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Agriculture]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | rowspan="2"|[[Musketeer]] (replaces [[Musket]]man) | [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]] | Creative, Industrious | [[Monarchy|Hereditary Rule]] | rowspan="2"|[[Paris]] |- | [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] | Aggressive, Industrious | Representation |- | rowspan="2"|[[Germany]] | rowspan="2"|German Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Hunting]], [[Mining]] | rowspan="2"|[[Panzer]] (replaces [[Tank]]) | [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick]] | Creative, Philosophical | [[Universal Suffrage]] | rowspan="2"|[[Berlin]] |- | [[Otto von Bismarck|Bismarck]] | Expansive, Industrious | Representation |- | [[Ancient Greece|Greece]] | Greek Empire | [[Fishing]], [[Hunting]] | [[Hoplite|Phalanx]] (replaces [[Spearman]]) | [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] | Aggressive, Philosophical | Hereditary Rule | [[Athens]] |- | [[Inca Empire|Inca]] | Inca Empire | [[Agriculture]], [[Mysticism]] | [[Quechua]] (replaces Warrior) | [[Huayna Capac]] | Aggressive, Financial | Hereditary Rule | [[Cusco|Cuzco]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[India]] | rowspan="2"|Indian Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Mysticism]], [[Mining]] | rowspan="2"|[[Manual labour|Fast Worker]] (replaces Worker) | [[Mahatma Gandhi|Gandhi]] | Industrious, Spiritual | rowspan="2"|Universal Suffrage | rowspan="2"|[[Delhi]] |- | [[Asoka]] | Organized, Spiritual |- | [[Japan]] | Japanese Empire | [[Fishing]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | [[Samurai]] (replaces [[Mace (club)|Mace]]man) | [[Tokugawa Ieyasu|Tokugawa]] | Aggressive, Organized | [[Mercantilism]] | [[Kyoto]] |- | [[Mali Empire|Mali]] | Malinese Empire | [[Mining]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | [[Light infantry|Skirmisher]] (replaces [[Archery|Archer]]) | [[Mansa Musa]] | Financial, Spiritual | [[Free Market]] | [[Timbuktu]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[Mongolian Empire|Mongolia]] | rowspan="2"|Mongolian Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Hunting]], [[Wheel|The Wheel]] | rowspan="2"|[[Keshik]] (replaces [[Horse archer|Horse Archer]]) | [[Genghis Khan]] | Aggressive, Expansive | Police State | rowspan="2"|[[Karakorum]] |- | [[Kublai Khan]] | Aggressive, Creative | Hereditary Rule |- | [[Persian Empire|Persia]] | Persian Empire | [[Agriculture]], [[Hunting]] | [[Persian Immortals|Immortals]] (replaces [[Chariot]]) | [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] | Expansive, Creative | Representation | [[Persepolis]] |- | [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] | Roman Empire | [[Fishing]], [[Mining]] | [[Praetorian Guard|Praetorian]] (replaces [[Swordsman]]) | [[Julius Caesar]] | Organized, Expansive | Representation | [[Rome]] |- | rowspan="2"|[[Russia]] | rowspan="2"|Russian Empire | rowspan="2"|[[Hunting]], [[Mining]] | rowspan="2"|[[Cossack]] (replaces [[Cavalry]]) | [[Catherine II of Russia|Catherine]] | Creative, Financial | Hereditary Rule | rowspan="2"|[[Moscow]] |- | [[Peter I of Russia|Peter]] | Expansive, Philosophical | Police State |- | [[Spain]] | Spanish Empire | [[Fishing]], [[Mysticism]] | [[Conquistador]] (replaces [[Knight]]) | [[Isabella of Castile|Isabella]] | Expansive, Spiritual | Police State | [[Madrid]] |} === Technologies === [[Image:Civilization4-Tech tree.jpg|thumb|700px|center|Tech tree of Civilization IV]] As in prior versions of ''Civilization'', a set of technologies are arranged in a tech tree. A total of 86 are included in the game, up from 81 in ''[[Civilization III]]''.<ref>[http://2kgames.com/civ4/compare_features.htm/ Comparison of Civilization and 4] Retrieved on 3/8/08</ref> Technologies have many uses; they can be used for trade, for the construction of new terrain improvements, units, buildings and wonders, to reveal new resources, for the founding of new religions, or for the development of new forms of government. To discover a new technology, it is first necessary to discover the prerequisite technologies (for example, [[democracy]] can only be discovered after the [[printing press]]). Unlike previous versions, [[Technology]] development is flexible: certain technologies can be discovered by following more than just one path, and others (all six starting technologies, for example [[hunting]]) are not linked to by any technology and must be found from scratch. The game's technology tree displays all the techs in the game and their relation with one another, and allows the player to queue any number of technologies for research. If multiple paths lead to the target technology, the AI will pick the shortest. The final technology in the game, as in previous versions, is called "Future Tech", followed by a number; each iteration of it imparts a happiness and [[health]] bonus to that nation's cities. In previous Civ games, Future tech gave a score bonus, but no gameplay advantages. The discovery of each technology is announced by the game's narrator, [[Leonard Nimoy]] of ''[[Star Trek]]'' fame. In the single-player game, he reads off a famous quotation pertaining to the technology; the sources of the quotations range from [[the Buddha]], [[Charles Darwin]] and the [[Bible]] to [[Lonnie Donegan]], [[Steve Wozniak]], [[Dan Quayle]], and a monotonic "Beep. Beep. Beep." attributed to the [[Sputnik]] space probe. In multi-player games, Nimoy simply declares, "You have discovered [Name of Technology]." ===Wonders=== The game features a number of World Wonders. They are as follows: *[[Stonehenge]] *[[Pyramids]] *The [[Parthenon]] *[[Delphi|The Oracle]] *The [[Hanging Gardens of Babylon|Hanging Gardens]] *[[Chichen Itza]] *[[Angkor Wat]] *The [[Sistine Chapel]] *[[Great Mosque of Samarra|The Spiral Minaret]] *[[The Kremlin]] ([[Saint Basil's Cathedral]] is shown) *[[Notre Dame]] *The [[Hagia Sophia]] *[[Lighthouse of Alexandria|The Great Lighthouse]] *[[Library of Alexandria|The Great Library]] *[[Versailles]] *The [[Colossus of Rhodes|Colossus]] *The [[Taj Mahal]] *[[Mount Rushmore]] *The [[Statue of Liberty]] *The [[Eiffel Tower]] *[[Broadway]] *[[Hollywood]] *[[Rock and Roll]] *[[The Internet]] *The [[Manhattan Project]] *[[The Pentagon]] *[[Space elevator]] *The [[Church of the Nativity]] *The [[Temple of Solomon]] *The [[Kong Miao]] *The [[Dai Miao]] *The [[Masjid al-Haram]] (The [[Dome of the Rock]] is depicted) *The [[Kashi Vishwanath]] === Scoring System === In ''Civilization IV'' the leadership skills of players are compared to a subjective list of twenty of the best or worst leaders in history, similar to the list in the first ''[[Civilization (computer game)|Civilization]]'' game. The score is based on a number of factors, including military growth and success, population size and attitude, technological advancement, turns taken to win, construction of wonders and economic growth. The released version of the game abandoned ''Civilization III''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> graded scale. In ''Civ3'', a spectacular victory on the easiest difficulty would provide the player with only a middling score, and the best titles were only awarded to players attempting the hardest difficulties. The original ''Civilization IV'', on the other hand, allows the player to obtain any score on any difficulty level. As of the v1.61 patch, the grading system has returned to the curved-by-difficulty scale. === Victory Conditions === * Conquest Victory - achieved by the player who successfully eliminates all of their rivals. * Domination Victory - awarded when a player uses military might and cunning negotiation tactics to conquer a certain (often large) percent of the world's population and a certain (also large) percent of the global land mass. * Cultural Victory - awarded when a player has developed a culture so powerful that three of their cities have achieved legendary culture status. * Space Race Victory - achieved when a player completes all of the components necessary to send colonists off into space to found a new colony on Alpha Centauri and is the first to have their ship arrive there. * Diplomatic Victory - awarded to the diplomatically gifted player who, at the end of the game, is elected unanimously as the UN Secretary General. * Time Victory - achieved by the player who can do whatever it takes throughout all of human history to defeat enemies, expand their civs, win the hearts and minds of the people, and boasts the highest score at the end of the game, in 2050 AD. A time victory will only be enabled if any of the previous five victories are not achieved by 2050. === Multiplayer === A multiplayer game of ''Civilization IV'' tends to play very differently to a singleplayer game. The relatively predictable reactions and diplomatic relationships with AI controlled civilizations can no longer be relied upon. This has many ramifications for the success potential of various strategies employed in the game. Most notably, the game tends to become very focused on quick-hit warmongering tactics. Multiplayer games of ''Civilization IV'' almost never reach the modern era. However, map types with larger amounts of water, and larger maps, can lead to a much longer game. Additionally, some custom scenarios, such as the Earth 18 scenario, have a cult following and may take many hours to complete and usually end in the modern era. Generally, multiplayer games of Civ are set up with a turn timer, which limits the time players can spend conducting their turns, and in simultaneous mode, which means that all players' turns are taken at the same time. Since the initial release of ''Civilization IV'', many players have complained about several fatal bugs to online play. Specifically, games often go "out of sync," requiring certain players to rejoin the game. Sometimes after one player leaves a game, the game remains frozen permanently and cannot be continued. This "freezing" issue also frequently arises when players use the game's "Retire" function to quit. Additionally, multiplayer games often fall victim to "game crashers" who repeatedly pause games by hitting the Pause/Break button in-game. Despite thousands of complaints from hundreds of online players, Firaxis has never addressed any of the multiplayer problems encountered in ''Civilization IV''.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} == New features == === Gameplay === Many aspects of ''Civilization IV'' are new to the series. These include: * ''Great People'' that fall into seven categories: [[general]]s, [[Espionage|spies]], [[artist]]s, [[merchant]]s, [[prophet]]s, [[engineer]]s and [[scientist]]s. Great People can be used to create several different effects: they can join the city as a Specialist; provide a one-time bonus or unique building; contribute to the discovery of a new technology; or be used, two or more at a time, to trigger a Golden Age. Great People include [[Aristotle]], [[Plato]], [[Moses]], [[Homer]], [[William Shakespeare]], [[Ramakrishna]], [[Michelangelo]], [[Isaac Newton]], [[Zoroaster]], [[Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi]], [[Coco Chanel]], [[Albert Einstein]] and [[Marie Curie]]. They can be born to any civilization. *Great artists visually resemble famous people, such as [[Elvis Presley]] and [[William Shakespeare]], even when they are not given those names. The Shakespeare-like one holds out a skull and says something sounding like "To be...or not...to be". This is a reference to [[Hamlet (play)|Hamlet]]. The "create great work" button for the Great Artists is a picture of the [[Mona Lisa]]. * The founding and spreading of religions and the adoption of a state religion (''see above''). * Instead of subtracting from a city's population upon completion, Settler and Worker units cause the city to suspend its population growth by contributing its food production to the unit's total. Both units are relatively expensive&mdash;which, as implied by the in-game "Hints" feature, is to slow the pace of expansion by forcing players to spend time maturing their cities. (A Settler requires 100 points of food and/or production to create; in comparison, the [[Musket]]men military unit requires only 80.) * The concept of "city maintenance" replaces the concept of "corruption" (an unpopular feature of [[Civilization III]]). Instead of outlying cities losing some of their total production, each city in a ''CivIV'' empire pays a certain maintenance fee which rises when new cities are created. Thus, civilizations with a large number of small, underdeveloped or inefficient cities will find their empire too expensive to maintain. [[Image:Civilization4-Civics.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A screenshot of Civics option menu in ''Civilization 4'''.]] * [[Government]]s have been replaced with a more flexible ''civics'' model with five different categories — [[Government]], [[Law|Legal]], [[Labor]], [[Economic system|Economy]], and [[Religion]] — and five separate civic options within each category. For example, the Labor category includes the civics [[tribalism]], [[slavery]], [[serfdom]], [[caste system]] and [[emancipation]]. This appears to be adapted from the Social Engineering section of ''[[Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri]]''. * AI civilizations no longer act as if they start the game knowing what the map looks like. Instead, they make full use of all options and exhibit better long-term planning. * Barbarians now form cities in unexplored or unwatched territories, often named after their tribe or culture ([[Hun]], [[Visigoth]], etc). These cities act and react like any other city: they send out worker units to improve terrain, can be captured or razed by military force, can be culture-flipped, and so on. However, they cannot be contacted via diplomacy. * The United Nations can pass resolutions, which appears to be adapted from ''[[Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri]]''. Until the ''Beyond the Sword'' expansion pack, these resolutions were binding. * Units now gain different promotions when they gain experience, enabling the player to specialize their units more. These promotions generally increase the unit's strength under certain conditions (in [[forest]]s or [[jungle]]s; against [[gunpowder]]-based units; when attacking cities) or provide other bonuses. Many units have inherent promotions, which help define their intended use (archers, for example, have an inherent promotion which increases their strength when defending cities or hills). * Military units no longer have separate ratings for attack, defense and [[hit points|health]], but instead a single strength rating. In general, when two units are set against each other, the one with the higher number wins; however, the aforementioned promotions may cause changes in the outcome. (Relatedly, a player may consult the probability of success before commissioning an attack.) Finally, as of the game's most recent patch, a damaged unit loses half that amount of combat strength. This revised combat system was largely in response to the "spearman-defeats-tank" problem that has plagued ''Civilization'' since its first iteration, wherein nuances of the game's mathematics would allow weak and obsolete units (generally controlled by the AI) to defeat stronger and more modernized forces (generally controlled by the player) on a far-more-regular basis than common sense would suggest possible.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} === Interface changes === <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Civilization4ss.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A screenshot of a ''Civilization 4'' game played as the [[Roman Empire|Romans]].]] --> * Pollution, size restrictions, and similar aspects from earlier games are combined into one "City Health" system. Resources and buildings — such as wheat and hospitals — add health points, while population growth and industry add unhealthiness points. Terrain near the city can have positive and negative effects on the health score; for example, forests and fresh water increase the health score, and detrimental terrain features such as jungles add unhealthiness. An unbalance in favor of sickness causes a food production penalty for the city. [[Nuclear fallout|Fallout]] continues to exist in the case of a nuclear attack or meltdown. * Some streamlining elements have been introduced, such as the ability to select and issue orders to multiple units at the same time. When population grows, a new technology is discovered, or a new unit/improvement is built, any excess food, research, or production is carried over rather than wasted (truncated). * Greater emphasis has been placed on the overall map-view mode. Where, in previous ''Civilization'' games, a player was often forced to access the City Management screen, almost all of its functions have been integrated into (or made accessible via) the standard map view, as have many abilities (diplomacy, research topic selection, tax rate, etc) that were formerly the domain of the Advisor screens. New players often play without leaving the map view, only as players gain the ability and need to [[Micromanagement (computer gaming)|micromanage]] are the specialized screens utilized. === Audio-visual === : ''See also: [[Music in Civilization IV]]'' * More emphasis has also been put on [[Music in Civilization IV|the game's soundtrack]], which features compositions of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and [[Minimalist music|Minimalist]] origin, and self-composed pieces (mainly by [[Jeff Briggs]]). The name of the title song played at the start of the game is "Baba Yetu". The title means "Our Father" in [[Swahili]], and the song itself is a rendition of the Christian [[Lord's Prayer]]. It is performed by [[Stanford University]]'s [[Talisman A Cappella]] and was composed by [[Christopher Tin]]. ([http://sushi-delight.blogspot.com/2005/11/baba-yetu.html lyrics and more information], [http://www.christophertin.com/assets/BabaYetu.mp3 sample]) * Each leader has a unique piece of music played during diplomacy (with the exception of [[Kublai Khan]] and [[Genghis Khan]] who share music). Many of the pieces are popular and familiar; for example, Roosevelt's music is the "[[Marines' Hymn]]", and Napoleon's is a variant on "[[La Marseillaise]]". Some are renditions of famous pieces of classical music, such as Frederick's piece, which is a paraphrase of the fourth of the [[Goldberg Variations]], or Bismarck's, which is the opening theme of the second movement of [[Beethoven]]'s [[Symphony No. 3 (Beethoven)|Symphony No. 3]]. Others, such as [[Mao Zedong]] and [[Alexander the Great]] have music that has been modified from earlier games, such as ''[[Civilization III]]''. Still others have entirely original scores. * Narrative voice acting, previously heard in ''[[Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri]]'' but never used in a game with ''Civilization'' in its title, is provided by [[Leonard Nimoy]], who reads a quotation related to a technology when it is discovered. Land-based units also offer short phrases in their culture's native language when selected. If the player's view is near a city, they will hear sounds related to the nation which owns that city. * Sound effects are played when certain buildings or improvements are built, such as coins jingling when a [[bank]] is completed. Ambient sounds can also be heard near different terrains when zoomed in. For example, near the ocean or on its shore, waves splashing and breaking up can be heard. * ''Civilization 4'' uses the same [[3D graphics|3D]] [[game engine|engine]] ([[Gamebryo]]) used in ''[[Sid Meier's Pirates! (2004)|Sid Meier's Pirates!]]'', which allows players to zoom smoothly from world map levels down to features in individual cities. * Wonder movies have returned after being absent in ''[[Civilization III]]''. == Customization == ''Civilization IV'' is much more open to modification than its predecessors. Game data and rules are stored in [[XML]] files, and a [[Software Development Kit]] was released in April 2006 to allow [[Game ai|AI]] customization. Major parts of the interface, map generation, and scripted events are written entirely in [[Python (programming language)|Python]] and can be customized. === World Builder === The World Builder allows a player to create a map from scratch or to use an in-game situation as a starting point for a new scenario. The terrain can be altered, and resources, military units and cities on the map can be added, removed or modified. Additionally, each civilization's technological progress as well as its diplomatic and military ties to other civilizations can be edited. The World Builder for ''Civilization IV'' is in-game, in contrast to previous ''Civilization'' games where the Map Editor was an external application. === XML === More game attributes are stored in [[XML]] files, which must be edited with an external text editor or application. Barry Caudill, a senior producer at [[Firaxis]] Games, said in September: <ref>[http://www.gamecloud.com/article.php?article_id=1614 Filecloud - Web Based File Distribution That Thought Of Everything<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> {{cquote|Editing these files will allow players to tweak simple game rules and change or add content. For instance, they can add new unit or building types, change the cost of wonders, or add new civilizations. Players can also change the sounds played at certain times or edit the play list for your soundtrack.}} At the current time the XML processing in Windows is permissive of errors, whereas the Mac OS X version is not. As a result, some XML files which will work on the Windows version of the game may need correcting before they function correctly on the Macintosh version. === Python === The game uses [[Boost library|boost.python]] to allow the [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]] access to many parts of the game (including the style and content of all interface screens). Python can also be used to modify random map generation and to add complex scripted events. The version of Python present in the Windows version of the game differs from the version in Mac OS X up to and including version 10.4.7, and as a result, while most Python files for the Windows version will work on the Macintosh version, not all will. The reverse is also true. === Software Development Kit === The Civilization IV [[Software Development Kit]] was released on [[April 13]] [[2006]] to coincide with the release of the v1.61 patch. The kit allows players to view, modify, or completely re-write the game's [[Dynamically linked library|DLL]] [[source code]], enabling the modification of the game's [[AI]] and other integral parts of the game. [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/downloads.htm] As of the first official patch for the Macintosh version (v1.61 Revision A), there is no SDK for the Macintosh version of the game. In fact the Macintosh version lacks the separate library of game related code which the PC version uses, but instead includes the code compiled into the main executable. There is as of yet no indication of whether this will change in a future patch. == Launch problems == The release of ''Civilization IV'' included some technical, production and shipping problems. * As originally shipped, the game functioned poorly on minimum-specification machines, and suffered from performance problems. It also conflicted with certain mainstream graphics cards. A user created a [http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=146309 utility program] to fix the memory usage problems. Version 1.52 patched these problems. * The most common packaging errors have been French and German technology charts in English-language boxes<ref>[http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/techtree_support.htm Civilization IV<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the erroneous packing of two of the same CD-ROM, rendering the game unplayable.<ref>[http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=133172 great job guys - two disk 1's, no disk 2. - Civilization Fanatics' Forums<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 2K games replaced such shipments. Other copies have mislabeled disks; since this does not affect gameplay, users are asked to just use the right CD-ROM when applicable.<ref>[http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/support_cannotlocate.htm Civilization IV<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> There have also been some cases in which the game manual has pages placed in the wrong spot (e.g. page one is the very last page of the manual). There are also many typographical errors in the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] manual. * ''Civilization IV'' uses [[SafeDisc]] 4, which refuses to acknowledge legitimate game copies if certain CD burning or "virtual drive" packages are installed. == Windows patches == * The v1.09 patch for ''Civilization IV'' was released on [[23 November]] [[2005]]. While it fixed some [[memory leak]] issues, the patch seemed to focus more on tweaks to buildings and units, while also creating some problems of its own. * The v1.52 patch, released on [[22 December]] [[2005]], was a major update that fixed several of the major performance headaches relating to numerous [[memory (computing)|memory]] leaks and usage. v1.52 also added several new scenarios and [[Level (computer and video games)|maps]], in addition to tweaking. * On [[13 April]] [[2006]], the v1.61 patch was released. Also a major update, it fixed several performance issues remaining from v1.09 and v1.52, including the stuttering [[Wonders of the World|Wonder]] movie problem. Several new additions were made to the game, including two new map scripts, new game options and new scenarios. Many gameplay tweaks were also made. Although the patch was considered a success for some users, others have reported various problems, including a loss of [[Writing|text]] and [[sound]]. These problems seem to be related to the incompatibility of certain [[Mod (computer gaming)|mods]] downloaded by users. * The v1.74 patch was released on [[19 July]] [[2007]]. It contains several bug fixes and some game play tweaks. After the patch, several people reported problems on discussion forums.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilizationiv/download_6175479.html</ref> The reported problems stemmed from the fact that the patch required a recent version of DirectX 9.0c, which was not included with the patch, and therefore had to be updated manually. Confusingly, DirectX 9.0c has updates that are not included in the redistributable download from Microsoft. These updates still report as DirectX 9.0c but include additional files required by the game. == Platforms == ''Civilization IV'' is available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] (PC) and [[Mac OS X]]. The Mac OS X version is published by [[Aspyr]] and was released in June 2006. Though it lacks some of the customization features which were added to the PC version in v1.61, it is otherwise identical to v.1.61 of the PC version. The game was released as a [[Universal binary]], running natively on both [[PowerPC|PPC]]- and [[X86 architecture|x86]]-based Macintoshes. Mac OS X users may also, in addition to the cross-platform [[GameSpy]] service (although Revision B is required for GameSpy), use [[GameRanger]] to play multiplayer games. ''Civilization IV'' and its expansions are also available via [[Steam (content delivery)|Steam]] and [[Turner Broadcasting System]]'s [[GameTap]] subscription service. Multiplayer games involving both game platforms work, but require the use of one of the multiplayer options other than "Internet Play" due to the incompatible formats employed. Recently ''Civilization IV'' also has moved into the mobile market with ''Civilization IV: War of Two Cities''. [[Oasys Mobile]] will be publishing this game in the spring of 2008.<ref>[http://www.oasysmobile.com Oasys Mobile | A premier publisher and developer of mobile entertainment<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == Changes from previous versions == * The [[Three Gorges Dam]] has replaced the [[Hoover Dam]], which was a Wonder used in previous versions. * Spaceship journeys to [[Alpha Centauri]] are always successful in games prior to the second expansion, ''[[Beyond the Sword]]'', after which the chance of success once again varies depending on how complete the spacecraft is; it is possible, by fully constructing the spacecraft, to guarantee success. * Individual citizens in each city no longer have their own nationality, as they did in ''Civ III''. Instead, the nationality breakdown of each city has changed to a cultural breakdown; foreign culture can also affect a city without the use of military conquest. * Civ IV is the first in the franchise not to feature [[SETI]] as a wonder. == Reception == === Critics' scores === * [[IGN]] 9.4/10 Editors' Choice Award [http://pc.ign.com/articles/660/660495p1.html] * [[GameSpot]] 9.4/10 Editors' Choice Award, Nominee for 2005 Game of the Year[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilizationiv/review.html] * [[Eurogamer]] 9/10 [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61418] * [[GameSpy]] 5/5 [http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/civilization-iv/662218p1.html] * [[Game-Revolution]] A- [http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/civilization_iv] * [[Computer Gaming World]] A ([[5 November]] [[2005]]) [http://cgw.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145444&did=4] * [[ActionTrip]] 93/100 ([[5 November]] [[2005]]) [http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/civilization4.phtml] * [[The Bovine Conspiracy]] 10/10 ([[3 November]] [[2005]]) [http://bovineconspiracy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=42] * [[Metacritic]] 94/100 [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/civilization4] * Newspaper: ''[[The Times]]'' 5/5 stars [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18589-1845637,00.html] * Newspaper: ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' 4/4 stars [http://www.firaxis.com/news/news_detail.php?id=185] * Magazine: ''[[PC Gamer]]'' 92% * Magazine: ''[[Game Informer]]'' 9.5/10 * Magazine: ''[[PC Gamer]]'' (USA) 94% * Magazine: ''[[PC Powerplay]]'' (German): 91% * Magazine: ''[[PC ZONE]]'' (UK): 92% * Magazine: ''[[Giochi per il mio Computer]]'' (Italian): 9/10 * Magazine: ''[[SuperPlay]]'' (Swedish) 10/10 * Magazine: ''[[PC Powerplay]]'' (Australian): 10/10 * Magazine: ''[[Pelit]]'' (Finnish): 97/100 * Magazine: ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' (Australian): 96% * Magazine: ''[[Atomic (magazine)|Atomic MPC]]'' (Australian): 10/10 * Magazine: ''[[Quantaz]]'' (Canadian): 99% * Magazine: ''[[CD-Action]]'' (Polish): 9/10 * Magazine: ''[[PC Guru]]'' (Hungarian): 94% * Magazine: ''[[GameStar]]'' (Hungarian): 92% * Television: ''[[X-Play]]'' 5/5 === Awards === * [[IGN]]: :* [http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/22.html PC Game of the Year 2005] :* [http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/10.html Best Strategy Game 2005] :* [http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/17.html Best Online Game 2005] :* [http://pc.ign.com/articles/772/772285p3.html#2 2nd PC Game Of All Time] * [[GameSpy]]: :* [http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index12.html PC Game of the Year 2005] :* [http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2005] :* [http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index10.html Game of the Year 2005] * [[GameSpot]]: :* [http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=11 Best Strategy Game 2005] :* [http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=8 Best PC Game 2005] * ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'': Top Pick ([[E3]] [[2005]]) * Scripps Howard News Service: [http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=GAMEON-VID-12-13-05 Game of the Year 2005 (PC)] * For other awards click [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/awards.htm here]. == See also == * [[4X game]] * [[Turn-based strategy game]] * [[Music in Civilization IV]] == References == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |date=[[2005-10-25]] |title=Civilization IV Official Strategy Guide |publisher=BradyGames |isbn=0-7440-0580-9}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=142558&skip=yes |title=Looking Back... Civilization IV |author=PC Zone Staff |work=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date=[[2006-07-06]] |accessdate=2007-02-28}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162633.html?q=Civilization |title=Q&A: Sid Meier chronicles Civilization |last=Torsen |first=Tor |work=GameSpot |date=[[2006-12-01]] |accessdate=2007-02-28}} * {{cite book |title = Sid Meier's Civilization IV manual (German) |publisher = 2K Games/Firaxis |year=2005 |pages=p. 69}}</div> {{Refend}} {{Reflist}} ==External links== '''Official sites''' * [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/ Official site] * [http://www.firaxis.com Developer's site] * [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/compare.htm Civilization IV Comparisons] * [http://www.aspyr.com/games.php/mac/civ4/ Civilization IV Macintosh site] * A promotional website for a fictional group called [http://www.civanon.org "Civilization Anonymous"] (a parody of [[Alcoholics Anonymous]]) was put on the internet and advertised in gaming magazines prior to the game's release. '''Third-party sites''' * [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Strategy/Turn-Based/Civilization_Games/Civilization_IV/ Civilization 4 at Dmoz.org] * [http://civilization.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Civilization series at wikia] {{Civilization}} [[Category:2005 video games]] [[Category:4X video games]] [[Category:Civilization franchise]] [[Category:Cooperative video games]] [[Category:Firaxis games]] [[Category:Mac OS X games]] [[Category:Video games with expansion packs]] [[Category:Multiplayer online games]] [[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]] [[Category:Turn-based strategy video games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Interactive Achievement Award winners]] [[Category:amBX enabled games]] [[de:Sid Meier’s Civilization#Civilization_IV]] [[es:Civilization IV]] [[fa:تمدن ۴]] [[fr:Civilization IV]] [[ko:문명 IV]] [[id:Civilization IV]] [[it:Civilization IV]] [[he:Civilization IV]] [[lv:Sid Meier's Civilization IV]] [[hu:Civilization IV]] [[ms:Civilization IV]] [[nl:Civilization IV]] [[no:Sid Meier's Civilization IV]] [[pl:Civilization IV]] [[pt:Sid Meier's Civilization IV]] [[ru:Civilization IV]] [[fi:Civilization IV]] [[sv:Civilization IV]] [[tr:Civilization IV]] [[zh:文明IV]]