# The good and the bad of Sid Meier's Civilization series **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [January 2, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533 "2021-01-02T18:22:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/101 "2021-01-11T22:34:51Z")
Do you know if any good numbers exist? While PC gaming stats may be up year over year, how does that compare in raw numbers to the big 3 consoles? My gut, though I admit to not being hardcore about gaming so take that with a grain of salt, is that the big studios are going all in on consoles. Because XBox and PC games are pretty similar they get released for both, but the number of PC-only games is vanishingly small. How much of the success of Civ VI is based on the cross-platform nature of the game? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/102 "2021-01-12T19:03:45Z")
Consoles are bigger if you treat them all as one market, PCs are bigger if you track console sales independently. Mobile is bigger than anything else. > [@](#): > > PC is still the most popular platform for game developers with 56% developing games for the platform in 2020. When it comes to consoles, Sony is still managing to beat Microsoft in terms of game development focus with 25% of developers focusing on the PS4 over 23% on the Xbox One. This trend continues when we look at next-gen consoles with 11% working on PS5 games over 9% working on Xbox Series X. Despite PC gaming coming top for developers, Mobile gaming is the most popular platform for users with 48% of players now regularly engaging in mobile gaming, and console gaming outperforming PC gaming in terms of the global games market. [From this page of game market statistics.](https://www.wepc.com/news/video-game-statistics/) [Civ VI, specifically, sold over 5.5 million copies when this article was published in 2019, two months _before_ the console versions released.](https://www.pcgamesn.com/civilization-6/sales) ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/103 "2021-02-02T01:30:37Z")
102 posts, and only two mentions of Call to Power? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/104 "2021-02-02T02:20:04Z")
Call to Power isn’t a civilization game. It was meant to fool people into thinking it was Civilization game (they actually had to change the name from Civilization: Call to Power), and it’s not well rated. Now, granted, even if it’s not a real civ game, if people liked it, they’re free to discuss it, but I’ve never heard it mentioned as a good/important/whatever game. I think it’s mostly forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/105 "2021-02-08T17:59:11Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > 102 posts, and only two mentions of Call to Power? @SenorBeef explained why, a better question would had been why we have more than 100 posts and no proper explanation of the bug that caused Nuclear Gandhi. YMMV about if that was a good or a bad “feature” to have, but the curious thing about it is that it was reported many times in the past that peaceful Gandhi became a warmonger thanks to a bug in the earlier games; however, recent word from the god (Sid Meir’s) is that it wasn’t. > **[Nuclear Gandhi Bug in Civilization Not Actually A Bug Says Sid Meier](https://screenrant.com/civilization-nuclear-gandhi-glitch-not-bug-sid-meier/)** > > Civilization's Gandhi is as violent as intended. So, a retelling of the origin to make it mysterious or wasn’t planned? AFAIK some programmers reported finding the bug that caused it in the earlier games, but that in later games it was done on purpose for tradition’s sake, what do you guys think? ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/106 "2021-02-08T18:08:50Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Call to Power isn’t a civilization game. It was meant to fool people into thinking it was Civilization game (they actually had to change the name from Civilization: Call to Power), and it’s not well rated. It sure looked/acted like one to me. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/107 "2021-02-08T18:41:31Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You’re likely right, which is why the solution is probably for some other studio to make a hex-based game like it called “Emperor” or something. Well, you currently have the [Warlock](https://store.steampowered.com/app/203630/Warlock__Master_of_the_Arcane/) franchise and the [Endless](https://store.steampowered.com/app/289130/Endless_Legend/) franchise. And [Humankind](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1124300/HUMANKIND/) will be launching soon. That’s not counting the blatant low-effort Civ clones for mobile, etc. But I guess they all try to add to the formula rather than take away since, even for a new title, “Civilization but with less” is a harder sell than “Civilization, plus [Whatver]” ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/108 "2021-02-09T18:04:23Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Call to Power isn’t a civilization game. It was meant to fool people into thinking it was Civilization game > [@SCAdian](#): > > It sure looked/acted like one to me. So it succeeded in fooling at least one person. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/109 "2021-02-09T20:49:39Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Well, you currently have the [Warlock](https://store.steampowered.com/app/203630/Warlock__Master_of_the_Arcane/) franchise and the [Endless](https://store.steampowered.com/app/289130/Endless_Legend/) franchise. And [Humankind](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1124300/HUMANKIND/) will be launching soon. Humankind looks so close to Civ IV they might get sued. As a kinda related sidenote I see Humankind already won a “Best Game” award from, well, someone. A game that HASN’T BEEN RELEASED. Don’t trust video game “Reviews,” kids. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/110 "2021-02-09T22:19:32Z")
I still own stock in Battlecruiser 3000 AD. Is that bad? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2021, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/111 "2021-03-31T21:09:18Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > > [@SenorBeef](#): > > > > Call to Power isn’t a civilization game. It was meant to fool people into thinking it was Civilization game (they actually had to change the name from Civilization: Call to Power), and it’s not well rated. > > It sure looked/acted like one to me. One will note the lack of “Sid Meier’s” on the box. The original Civs were done by Microprose. Sid Meier, Jeff Briggs, and Bryan Reynolds left Microprose and founded Firaxis Games in 1996 (and released Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri in 1999). Call to Power was produced by Activision and released in 1999. So the reason Call to Power wasn’t a Civilization game is because it literally wasn’t. It was Activision’s attempt to create a Civilization game. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/112 "2021-03-31T21:47:29Z")
If you started exploring the discs, you could find the video files for the advisors and get some clips that represented highly-unlikely scenarios. I remember the Trade advisor wearing modern clothes and frantically advising the leader to discover trade. I don’t know if it’s even possible to get to the modern era without trade, but the writers of the game must considered it. You can find all the “Civilization II Council” clips on YouTube. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SzHOhIdTpw0/hqdefault.jpg "Civilization II Council - Modern") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzHOhIdTpw0) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/113 "2021-04-01T02:32:08Z")
When I see lists for worst game ever I always think of this game but few remember it and certainly not the younger generations. I remember being so excited for that game too and shocked at what a complete ass Derek Smart was about it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/114 "2021-04-01T04:53:26Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > When I see lists for worst game ever I always think of this game but few remember it and certainly not the younger generations. I only know of it **because** of its terrible reputation. Everyone loves a train wreck (or is that spaceship wreck?), see this glowing review: > **[Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. Review](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battlecruiser-3000-ad-review/1900-2538148/)** > > It will go down in legend as the most bug-ridden, unstable, unplayable pieces of software ever released. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/115 "2021-04-01T10:50:14Z")
Wait, it was worse than Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/116 "2021-04-01T13:57:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wait, it was worse than Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing? By orders of magnitude, due to the fact that BC3K was supposed to be so much more complicated than driving a truck from Point A to Point B. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/117 "2021-04-01T17:53:59Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > By orders of magnitude, due to the fact that BC3K was supposed to be so much more complicated than driving a truck from Point A to Point B. Which explains why Derek Smart has been such a vocal critic of Star Citizen. Battlecruiser 3000 was the Star Citizen of the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/118 "2021-04-01T18:16:39Z")
Is Star Citizen any good? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/119 "2021-04-01T18:29:36Z")
It doesn’t technically exist. It’s been in development since 2012, and still has no actual release date. It may or may not be a scam. [Here’s an active thread about it that was started in 2015.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-citizen-is-the-future-of-pc-gaming-and-its-free-to-play-this-week/734528) ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2021, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533/120 "2021-04-02T06:13:21Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Is Star Citizen any good? It is _very_ good… …at emptying wallets! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-good-and-the-bad-of-sid-meiers-civilization-series/929533.md?page=7)