Civilization!
Or to be more specific, it’s Sid Meier’s Civilization! What began as a board game, designed by Francis Tresham and published by Hartland Trefoil and Avalon Hill was an inspiration on famed computer game designer Sid Meier for his Civilization PC game series. Following several hugely successful computer editions Civilization was once again re-imagined as a board game (based on the PC incarnation)in 2003 by Glenn Drover and Eagle Games. As Civilization V prepares to launch across multiple gaming platforms this September, Fantasy Flight Games and designer Kevin Wilson bring their considerable talents to bear as an all new board game incarnation of Civilization launches this Fall.
From the FFG press release:
“Players are tasked with guiding an entire civilization throughout the ages, taking ownership of your people’s technology, economy, culture, and military, as well as all the choices that go along with them. There are four different paths to victory, and each is riddled with opposition.
In Civilization: The Board Game, 2-4 players take on the roles of famous leaders in charge of historical civilizations, each with their own abilities. Players will be able to explore a module game board, build cities and buildings, fight battles, research powerful technology, and attract great people by advancing their culture. No matter what your play style is, there is a civilization for you!
There are infinite ways to forge an empire. How will you shape yours? Find out with Sid Meier’s Civilization: The Board Game.”
The game is tailored for players aged 13+ and should be finished in the space of four hours.
Included in the box are 1 Rulebook, 1 Market Board, 4 Reference Sheets, 6 Civilization Sheets, 20 Map Tiles, 33 Plastic Figures, Nearly 300 Cards, 55 Combat Cards, Hundreds of Markers and Tokens, 6 Trade Dials, and 6 Economy Dials. All indications are that the pricing will be $55.00 here in the U.S.
A lot of people (including myself) are excited for this one. People have complained about the board, but I think it looks great from the promotional pictures.
I'm not sure what they might be complaining about as far as the board goes. If the boardgame is based on Sid Meier's video game that means FFG has to adhere to the the wishes of Firaxis as far as the graphics that are gong to be used. I suppose maybe a complaint would be that you won't have as random a set up as you might wish for, but all in all it looks fine to me.