CIVILIZATION IV: BEYOND THE SWORD IN STORES, HAS ZOMBIES

This… this may be my last post. It’s here now, and it knows where I am. I’ve tried to fight it, but it knows I’m weak. Before this night is through, only one of us will remain – and I know it will not be me.

I will tell you my story…

Some of you who are about to see the picture I’m about to post will understand, because you may have once been among the affected.

Maybe you’ve only had a small taste and weren’t completely hooked, maybe you’ve spent years fighting it as I have, or maybe you were in remission until this very moment… if that’s the case, I do apologize for what I am about to do…

The rest of you… have no idea. None at all.

Tell them I tried, I truly did, but it comes again… the madness comes again.

Okay, melodrama aside, I do have a few things I want to say about the release of Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword before it completely takes over my life;

1. According to the box, they’ve added 10 new civilizations, 64 new buildings, 11 scenarios, 5 wonders, 6 new technologies, corporations, a new espionage system and expanded trade routes. Sounds pretty nifty to me.
2. One of those new scenarios is something that I can’t wait to play – apparently “Afterworld” is a scenario where it’s you against the zombie uprising. It’s a good thing I’ve got my copy of the Zombie Survival Guide on hand, otherwise it could be over fast.
3. Despite the pedigree the Civilization series has, my local store only got 1-3 copies of the game in – and according to their website, there are no more on the way. While I’m glad I managed to get the last one, it really is sad to see how far the PC game industry has fallen at retail. I mean, this was not your average throwaway PC title.
4. Am I the only one who is bothered when you get that last copy of a game at a store and it’s been opened and used as a display model? Sure, they may have shrink wrapped the contents, but I always wonder if I’m really getting everything that was in the box.

Looking at it, the only real question is whether I try a full game or that Afterworld scenario first. I’m thinking zombies for the win, Chuck.

• Civilization – Official series website
• Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword – Product page at Civilization.com

2K GAMES ANNOUNCES 2ND EXPANSION FOR CIVILIZATION IV

If you follow this site regularly, then you’re probably well aware that I’ve battled a Civilization addiction for a good portion of my adult life. While of late, I’ve managed to avoid getting overly drawn into the game, it’s still with some trepidation that I pass along the news that "Beyond the Sword", the second expansion for Civilization IV has just been announced by 2K Games;

"Civilization is close to our hearts here at Firaxis and we’re excited to up the ante on the series once again with what we consider to be our best expansion pack ever,” said Steve Martin, president of Firaxis Games. “Fan requests and a constant stream of new ideas motivate our team to continue delivering more and better gameplay for our premier series. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is a must-have expansion for every Civ® fan.” Key features include:

• Expanded Epic Game: Firaxis Games delivers a massive increase in new units, buildings, and technologies to the epic game with additional focus on the late-game time periods.
• New Game Scenarios: The expansion will deliver 12 new scenarios, many containing themes never before included in the Civilization series, custom designed by the team at Firaxis and select members of the Civ Fan Community.
• New Civilizations: The expansion pack includes ten new civilizations, such as Portugal, Babylon and Netherlands and their associated unique units and buildings.
• More Civilization Leaders: Sixteen new leaders including leaders for the ten new civilizations, as well as additional leaders for existing civilizations.
• Corporations: A new gameplay feature that allows players to create corporations and spread them throughout the world. Each corporation provides benefits in exchange for certain resources.
• Espionage: Now available much earlier in the game, this expanded feature offers players many new ways to spy on opponents, stir citizen unrest and defend their government’s secrets.
• Events: New random events such as natural disasters, pleas for help, or demands from their citizens will challenge players to overcome obstacles in order for their civilizations to prosper.
• New Wonders: Five new wonders await discovery including the Statue of Zeus, Cristo Redentor, Shwedagon Paya, the Mausoleum of Maussollos, and the Moai Statues.
• Expanded Space Victory: Winning the race to Alpha Centauri will now require more strategic planning and tactical decision making.
• Apostolic Palace: The United Nations will become available earlier in the game, providing a way for players to win a diplomatic victory earlier. New resolutions will also be added which will expand the available diplomatic options.
• Advanced Starts: A major fan request, this new feature will enable players to “buy” components of a custom-tailored empire and begin play in the later part of the game, allowing them to experience many of the new features of the expansion pack in a shorter amount of time.
• Enhanced AI: The AI has received many enhancements, making it tougher to beat on the higher difficulty levels. The ways in which the AI will attempt to achieve victory have also been expanded." – Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword press release

Is it just me, or is everyone else recovering from Civ-addiction feeling a little twitch in one of their eyes?

• 2K Announces Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword Expansion Pack – Official press release
• Civilization.com – Official series site
• Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword – Official product page

AOL GAMES FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

In honor of Father’s Day, AOL Games ran a short feature on 7 game designers and the games they play with their children. Included in the feature are such prominent names as Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds and Will Wright. It’s not exactly the most in depth look into the home life of game developers, but it’s always nice to see a pro-gaming article that refers to families playing games together.