Civilization: Beyond Earth Catch-All

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http://www.gamespot.com/articles/beyond-earth-takes-civilization-to-the-stars/1100-6418906/

Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth will propel the development of human civilization beyond the traditional timeline of a Civilization game, by exploring humanity’s future on an alien world. For the first time, players will lead factions divided by contrasting cultures and evolve their new civilizations to reflect their chosen destiny. Players will experience an array of new gameplay possibilities, including nonlinear technological progression, deeper customization of chosen factions, and an entire alien world that will change the very identity of each faction based on their choices.

• Seed the Adventure: Players will establish a cultural identity, select a leader and sponsor an expedition by assembling the spacecraft, cargo and colonists through a series of choices that directly impact starting conditions when arriving on the new alien planet.

• Alien World: Exploring the benefits and dangers of a new planet filled with dangerous terrain, mystical resources and hostile lifeforms unlike those of Earth, players will build outposts, unearth ancient alien relics, tame new forms of life, develop flourishing cities and establish trade routes to create prosperity for their people.

• New Technology Web: Reflecting forward progress in an uncertain future, technology advancement will occur through a series of nonlinear choices that affect the development of mankind. The tech web is organized around three broad themes, each with a distinct victory condition.

• New Quest System: Quests are infused with fiction about the planet, and will help guide players through a series of side missions that will aid in the collection of resources, upgrading units, and advancing through the game.

• New Orbital Layer: Players will build and deploy advanced military, economic and scientific satellites that provide strategic offensive, defensive and support capabilities from orbit.

“Having celebrated its 23rd anniversary last year, Civilization has cemented its reputation as one of the greatest and longest running franchises in video game history,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth builds upon that success by pushing the series in new directions with players exploring an unknown future on an alien planet.”

“The Civ team was excited about the opportunity to continue the story of Civilization into the future, because it allows the team to break free of historical context,” said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. “We’ve always let our fans create the history of mankind, and Civilization: Beyond Earth will now let them create the future.”

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Wow. That looks very dangerous to my productivity

If I worked at Firaxis, I would just be thinking "When the hell am I ever going to design something that isn't a 4X game?" X-Com was just a tease for them and now they are back in the salt mines.

Maybe I missed it, but is this an expansion, or a spin-off of Civ 5? Or is this (finally!) an Alpha Centauri sequel but marketing made them keep Civilization in the title?

Regardless, I'm excited!

It is a new game entirely.

Looks like a stand-alone title, and yes, EA owns the rights to the Alpha Centauri name.

Omgomgomg

So, Alpha Centauri II?

Colour me excited.

Oh hell yes!

Now if someone just makes Master of Orion 3 my life will be complete.

Edit: also Star Control 3

gewy wrote:

Oh hell yes!

Now if someone just makes Master of Orion 3 my life will be complete.

They did. It wasn't good. Or maybe you knew that and I'm missing the joke.

Edit: Oh I see how it is!

Shame bbc's don't work in thread titles or I totally would have called it,

Alpha Centauri II Civilization: Beyond Earth Catch-All

One of the major things that made SMAC so great, and why it still holds up today, is the quality of the writing -- the technologies and story, sure, but the faction design and interaction were where it really shined. I'm skeptical that they can recapture that, and it sounds like they may not even be trying to do so (see the 'Seed the Adventure' bullet point above).

Civ in space is still an immediate purchase for me, but I really hope they are able to somehow create factions as unique and memorable as The Gaians, The Believers, The Spartans, The Hive, etc...

New Alpha Centauri? Nice.

billt721 wrote:

One of the major things that made SMAC so great, and why it still holds up today, is the quality of the writing -- the technologies and story, sure, but the faction design and interaction were where it really shined. I'm skeptical that they can recapture that, and it sounds like they may not even be trying to do so (see the 'Seed the Adventure' bullet point above).

Civ in space is still an immediate purchase for me, but I really hope they are able to somehow create factions as unique and memorable as The Gaians, The Believers, The Spartans, The Hive, etc...

Yeah, just having Civilization in space does not make this a new SMAC or a spiritual successor to it. I am very doubtful that they will be able to recapture the things that made SMAC great and different from the rest of the pack.

Please may it come out for Mac. Please may it come out for Mac. Please may it come out for Mac

Looks like it won't quite be an Alpha Centauri sequel, in that the planets you'll be on will be more varied and general, rather than one specific scenario presented in a myriad of configurations. Both approaches are valid, so it'll be interesting to see how the feel of this one develops.

ZaneRockfist wrote:

If I worked at Firaxis, I would just be thinking "When the hell am I ever going to design something that isn't a 4X game?" X-Com was just a tease for them and now they are back in the salt mines.

There's a long tradition of Civilization designers going off and working on other projects, dating back to the Microprose days. Heading design on Civilization almost seems like a graduating rite of passage for the studio designers, though I'm sure that there's a lot more factors and people involved.

Like others have said, this may not be a perfect/true sequel to SMAC, but it seems like it's close enough to be a day 1 buy for me. I'm also surprised it (currently) has a 2014 release date. Can't wait to see more.

Aristophan wrote:

Please may it come out for Mac. Please may it come out for Mac. Please may it come out for Mac

Firaxis has a pretty good track record on that front, lately. I'd be surprised if it didn't.

Oooo... spaaaace.

So excited this is finally announced. Can't wait to share it with everyone.

Thank you Tykl!!!!

Can't wait!!! I've searched for so long for a 'Civ in Space' and they are all lackluster, or really old. I'll be following this one closely.

Looks pretty good. I've become pretty selective of getting new games and actually playing them.
But I this will be one of them for sure.

gewy wrote:

Oh hell yes!

Now if someone just makes Master of Orion 3 my life will be complete.

Edit: also Star Control 3

It never happened. It never did. Someone claims Moo3 happened years ago, but no. Nope, No. No. Never happened.

Academician Prokhor Zakharov would be proud.

PC Gamer Interview

Also, OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!

This made my decade.

Research Complete: Cautious Optimism

“And when I my eyes first fell on the trailer for all I have hoped for, I felt…happy, yet anxious.” – Academician Prokhor Zakharov, For I Have Tasted the Fruit

*Shameless stolen from the commenst in rock paper shotgun
*Also reinstalling the original now...

ZaneRockfist wrote:

It is a new game entirely.

It's an entirely new game, altogether.

*Steeples fingers and waits*

Excitement!

The mindworms are excited too. Apparently.

As are the drones. The drones love new games.

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