RIP Francis Tresham (game designer)

[N9IWP]

Already posed in the death pool, but I think he deserves a thread.
He created the Civilization board game, (Civilization | Board Game | BoardGameGeek) which begat Advanced Civilization (Advanced Civilization | Board Game | BoardGameGeek), which begat Mega Civilization (Mega Civilization | Board Game | BoardGameGeek)

He created 1829 (1829 | Board Game | BoardGameGeek) which begat 1830 (1830: Railways & Robber Barons | Board Game | BoardGameGeek), which begat a who subgenre of train board games (called 18xx)

Either game by itself would be notable, but to create two landmark games makes him a true pioneer.

Brian
(he was not directly involved with the Civ sequels, but did design 1830 and several other 18xx games)

[Kobal2]

And Aram begat Aminadab…

(I’m sorry, I have nothing of value to add except that can’t not think of this bit anytime I hear the word “begat”)

[nightshadea]

wasn’t the civ pc game originally based on the civ boardgames or was just enough that meier&co had to pay licensing fees to Avalon hill?

[N9IWP]

There was some influence, but mostly to cover their butts legally

Civilization (video game)

@wikipedia

The name Civilization came late in the development process.[6] MicroProse recognized at this point the 1980 Civilization board game may conflict with their video game, as it shared a similar theme including the technology tree. Meier had noted the board game’s influence but considered it not as great as Empire or SimCity,[9] while others have noted significant differences that made the video game far different from the board game such as the non-linearity introduced by Meier’s technology tree.[6] To avoid any potential legal issues, MicroProse negotiated a license to use the Civilization name from Avalon Hill.[6]

There was a computer version of Advanced Civ that closely followed the board game and there still exists an online version of the game (rol) Civ :: (rol) Civilization Log in

Brian

[Kobal2]

Having played both extensively, I’d opine the civ pc game has nothing in common with the boardgame besides the general theme of “pilot the demo/mil/tech advancement of a civilization competing against others” ; and if you squint other general game design ideas like “tech goes faster the more people you have” or “population increases faster when it’s spread out”

[N9IWP]

Note that Mega Civilization (which plays up to 18 and cost north of $200), decided to break into two games (East and West) to make it more affordable/approachable. (each plays 5-9)
Just about the time they ere going to release the West they got into a legal problem with the trademark. They eventually renamed the game Western Empires (and will introduce Eastern Empires later).
Even though Mega Civ was released I think it is now named Mega Empires.
https://westernempires.com/faq/

Brian