Once a Civ fan…
Ok - this may be a little outside of my usual stuff, but it is definitely another side to me.
I wasn’t really into games when I was younger, but I was introduced to Civilization III back in university (in 2001) and it definitely became a thing. The only other digital game I had played until that point was Sierra’s Pharaoh (on disc). I don’t know if it was the strategic challenge, or the fact that I could play as Egypt, but something enticed me. I remember I had to force myself to go to bed, and avoid that ‘one more turn’ that seems to be an ongoing theme. I don’t like losing.
I wouldn’t say I’m a stellar player,[1] but I enjoy building my civilization from a single settler with the aim to be the first to reach the stars. I have continued to buy into the franchise and always highly anticipated the next DLC or series. I have played off and on over the years in all the editions from Civ III to Civ VI. While I have occasionally gone on to purchase other (usually strategy or building) games, I find I would often get tired of them quickly, and return to Civilization.
I even purchased and tried out Humankind, which launched in 2021, as it seemed to be similar to Civilization with some new tactics, including changing your selected civ throughout the eras. I tried it, but like other games I didn’t feel the same compulsion to go back to it.
When Sid Meier’s (finally) announced the new edition of Civilization VII I was so pleased. However, like many others, what they seemed to be selling was another version of Humankind. I wasn’t easily sold. It took many months of their marketing and several YouTuber videos to cajole me into making that purchase. I think the reason I have pre-purchased the new game (to be launched in February) is solely out of a sense of kinship, and trust in Civ developers. I didn’t really enjoy changing characters in different eras (in Humankind), so we shall see.
I will be sure to update my thoughts on Civ VII after I get the chance to play.
Civ VI gameplay
[1] I generally play (on Steam) at Prince level, and usually go for the culture or science victories, but often will win on diplomacy. My Steam handle is lotus_blossom. While I do play as all the different characters, I often go back to play as Egypt.
