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{{Short description|2001 turn-based strategy video game}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2008}}

{{Infobox video game {{Infobox video game
|title = Sid Meier's Civilization III | title = Civilization III
|image = Civilization III Coverart.png | image = Civilization III Coverart.png
|caption = | caption =
|developer = ] | developer = ]<small> (Win)</small><br/>Westlake Interactive<small> (Mac)</small>
|publisher = ] <small>(Win)</small><br>] <small>(Mac)</small> | publisher = ] <small>(Win)</small><br />] <small>(Mac)</small>
|series = '']'' | series = '']''
|director = ] | director =
|producer = Michael Gibson <br> Jeffrey Kennedy | producer = Michael Gibson <br /> Jeffrey Kennedy
|designer = ] <br> ] | designer = ] <br /> ]
|writer = Paul Murphy | writer = Paul Murphy
| composer = ]<br />Mark Cromer
|engine = Custom | engine =
|released={{vgrelease|NA=October 30, 2001|EU=November 1, 2001}}
| released = '''Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 30, 2001|EU|March 1, 2002<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uk.infogrames.com/index.php?print=1&pg=game_detail&productID=1 |title=Infogrames UK |website=www.uk.infogrames.com |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030628212529/http://www.uk.infogrames.com/index.php?print=1&pg=game_detail&productID=1 |archive-date=28 June 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}'''Mac OS'''{{vgrelease|NA|January 6, 2002}}
|genre = ]
|modes = ] ] | genre = ]
| modes = ], ]
|platforms = ], ] | platforms = ], ]
}} }}
'''''Sid Meier's Civilization III''''', commonly shortened to '''''Civ III''''' or '''''Civ 3''''', is the third installment of the ] ] ] series. It was preceded by '']'' and followed by '']'', and it was released in 2001. The game offers very sophisticated gameplay in terms of both mechanics and strategy. Unlike the original game, Civ III was not designed by ], but by ], a ], and ], a ]. '''''Sid Meier's Civilization III''''' is the third installment of the '']'' ] ] series. It was released in 2001, and followed by '']''. Unlike the original game, ''Civilization III'' was not designed by ], but by ], a ], and ], a ].


''Civilization III'', like the other ''Civilization'' games, entails building an empire, from the ground up, beginning in 4,000 BC and continuing slightly beyond the modern day. The player must construct and improve cities, train military and non-military units, improve terrain, research technologies, build Wonders of the World, make war or peace with neighboring civilizations, and so on. The player must balance a good infrastructure, resources, diplomatic and trading skills, technological advancement, city and empire management, culture, and military power to succeed. ''Civilization III'', like the other ''Civilization'' games, entails building an empire, from the ground up, beginning in 4,000 BC and continuing slightly beyond the modern day. The player must construct and improve cities, train military and non-military units, improve terrain, research technologies, build Wonders of the World, make war or peace with neighboring civilizations, and so on. The player must balance a good infrastructure, resources, diplomatic and trading skills, technological advancement, city and empire management, culture, and military power to succeed.


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
{{rewrite section|date=June 2012}} {{cleanup rewrite|section=yes|date=June 2012}}
] ]


The game map is made up of square tiles on a grid. Each city, terrain improvement, and unit is located in a specific tile, and each tile can host any number of units, land tiles can contain a transportation improvement (] or ]) and a land improvement (] or ]) or a city. Cities must be built a minimum of two tiles away from each other (no two cities can be touching). Each tile is made of a particular type of terrain that determines, among other things, how much food, production, and trade it produces when "worked". A tile can only be worked if it is one of the 20 tiles surrounding a city, a tile can only be worked by one city at a time, and each city can only work a number of tiles equal to or less than its population. The game map is made up of square tiles on a grid. Each city, terrain improvement, and unit is located in a specific tile, and each tile can host any number of units. Land tiles can contain a transportation improvement (] or ]) and a land improvement (] or ]) or a city. Cities must be built a minimum of one tile away from each other, i.e., no two cities may touch. Each tile is made of a particular type of terrain that determines, among other things, how much food, production, and trade it produces when "worked". A tile can only be worked if it is one of the twenty tiles surrounding a city. A tile can only be worked by one city at a time, and each city can only work a number of tiles equal to or less than its population.


Food is used to grow the player's cities. Each population unit requires food to survive, and excess food is stored. Larger the population of the civilization, the larger the food storage. Production, represented in the game as "shields", is used to build units, buildings, and wonders. Commerce powers the player's economy. This commerce is split up as the player sees fit between technological research, tax revenue, and luxuries, each with a different purpose. Food is used to grow the player's cities. Each population unit requires food to survive, and excess food is stored. Production, represented in the game as "shields", is used to build units, buildings, and wonders. Commerce powers the player's economy. This commerce is split up as the player sees fit between research, tax revenue, and luxuries, each with a different purpose.


Each city's citizens have a certain mood (happy, content, unhappy, or resisting). If most citizens are unhappy, the city falls into ] and all production ceases; if a city remains in civil disorder for too long, it leads to riots. If most citizens are happy, they will like their leader and increase economic benefits. Each city's citizens have a certain mood (happy, content, unhappy, or resisting). If most citizens are unhappy, the city falls into ] and all production ceases; if a city remains in civil disorder for too long, it can lead to rioting, which results in improvements being destroyed. If most citizens are happy, they will like their leader and increase economic benefits.


Terrain improvements are built by Worker units. Irrigation increases food, mines increase production, and roads increase commerce and reduce movement costs for all allied land units using them. Two civilizations must have ''Right of passage'' treaty signed to benefit from each other's roads. Terrain improvements are built by Worker units. Irrigation increases food, mines increase production, and roads increase commerce and reduce movement costs for all allied land units using them. Two civilizations must have ''Right of passage'' treaty signed to benefit from each other's roads.


Buildings enhance a city in some way and cost maintenance. Like units and Wonders, each one can only be built when the requisite technology has been acquired. Buildings require financial maintenance each turn, and can be destroyed. Only one of each type of building can be constructed in each city. Buildings enhance a city in some way and cost maintenance. Like units and Wonders, each one can only be built when the requisite technology has been acquired. Buildings require financial maintenance each turn, and can be destroyed. Only one of each type of building can be constructed in each city.


As in previous instalments of ''Civilization'', there are unique Wonders of the World that can only be built once per game. Wonders provide a variety of major benefits to a specific city, all cities on a continent or to an entire empire. ''Civilization III'' also added Small Wonders. Small Wonders have, for the most part, a sociological requirement to construct them, as well as a technological requirement. When a civilization captures a city with a Small Wonder, it is automatically destroyed. Some examples of small wonders are ], the ] and ]. As in previous installments of ''Civilization'', there are unique Wonders of the World that can only be built once per game. Wonders provide a variety of major benefits to a specific city, all cities on a continent, or to an entire empire. ''Civilization III'' also added Small Wonders, which are functionally equivalent to Wonders except that each one can be constructed once per civilization, as opposed to once in every whole game. Small Wonders have, for the most part, a sociological requirement to construct them, as well as a technological requirement. When a civilization captures a city with a Small Wonder, it is automatically destroyed. Some examples of small wonders are ], the ], and ].


One of the major features of gameplay is ]. Completing the research of a new technology will make available new units, city improvements and wonders of the world, as well as special bonuses and abilities that are related to the technology. The ] is divided into four ages (], ], ], and ]); each age requires the research of specific technologies to advance to that age. Additionally, there are technologies that provide useful bonuses that are often essential for good empire management, or may provide different alternatives to it. Technologies can also be traded to and from other civilizations in return for resources or other technologies. Technologies acquired in this way can in turn be exchanged (also called 'technology brokering') for other new technologies by contacting one or more other civilizations. One of the major features of gameplay is ]. Completing the research of a new technology will make available new units, city improvements, and wonders of the world, as well as special bonuses and abilities that are related to the technology. The ] is divided into four ages (], ], ], and ]); each age requires the research of specific technologies to advance to that age. Additionally, there are non-requisite technologies that nevertheless provide useful bonuses that are often essential for good empire management, or allow a civilization to install a new government. Technologies can also be traded to and from other civilizations in return for gold, resources, technologies, workers, and cities. Technologies acquired in this way can in turn be exchanged (also called 'technology brokering') for other new technologies by contacting one or more other civilizations.


Citizens are the people who work in a ]. There are four kinds in ''Civ III'': Laborers, Entertainers, Tax Collectors and Scientists. If there are more citizens in a city than available tiles to work, the extra citizens automatically become Entertainers. The second expansion, '']'', adds two new types of citizens to the game: Policemen (reduce corruption) and Civil Engineers (enhance building and wonder production). Citizens are the people who work in a ]. There are four kinds: Laborers, Entertainers, Tax Collectors, and Scientists. If there are more citizens in a city than available tiles to work, the extra citizens automatically become Entertainers. The second expansion, '']'', adds two new types of citizens to the game: Policemen (reduce corruption) and Civil Engineers (enhance building and wonder production).


] is a feature of ''Civ III'' that was not present in previous installments of the franchise. Each city in ''Civilization III'' has a cultural rating, which is the city's influence over local terrain. Essentially, the culture's outer edge, or "border", acts as the boundary of each civilization's empire. As the city's culture rating increases, so does its sphere of influence, bringing more territory under the player's control. Culture serves two other purposes. One is allowing the peaceful takeover, and military conquest. ] is a feature that was not present in previous installments of the franchise. Each city has a cultural rating, which is the city's influence over local terrain. Essentially, the culture's outer edge, or "border", acts as the boundary of each civilization's empire. As the city's culture rating increases, so does its sphere of influence, bringing more territory under the player's control. Civilizations' borders may abut, resulting in their culture ratings vying for territory. If one player's culture rating is sufficiently higher than the other's, the former's borders will encroach into territory previously owned by the latter. Given enough time and cultural pressure, the latter player's city may even elect to join, or "flip to," the former's empire. Culture can thus serve as a means of peaceful conquest.


Every civilization starts with certain special abilities, and they have a special unit that is unique to their civilization; these units usually have a historical basis (for example: the Japanese unique unit, which replaces the standard knight, is the ]). Every civilization starts with certain special abilities, and they have a special "unique unit" that only they can build; these units usually have a historical basis (for example: the Japanese unique unit is the ], which replaces the standard knight, whereas the British unique unit is the ], which replaces the standard frigate).


] may be of different ]]] ] may be of different ]]]


Citizens have a nationality based upon the civilization under which they were 'born.' Citizens have a 'memory' of their nationality and will consider themselves members of their previous civilization until they are ] into their new civilization. Citizens have a nationality based upon the civilization under which they were "born." Citizens have a "memory" of their nationality and will consider themselves members of their previous civilization until they are ] into their new civilization.


Combat is an important aspect of the game. Each unit begins as a "regular". Units can gain experience points through combat and be promoted. Each unit has an attack and defense value to determine the winner of each battle. Certain terrain types, as well as large cities, defending across a river, and fortifying a unit provide additional defensive bonuses. Ultimately, a ] determines the outcome of each battle. Another important aspect of combat is bombardment, which can be done by ], air and naval units. Bombardment can soften a target before it is attacked, and, if attacking a city, may kill some of the population or destroy certain city improvements. Combat is an important aspect of the game. Each combat unit begins as a "regular" unit with three hit points (although some units have additional hit points bonuses which affect their stats). If the unit loses all its hit points, it dies. Units can be promoted after successful combat missions and gain hit points. The highest rank a unit can attain is that of "elite" (which features five hit points), whereas the lowest is "conscript" (featuring two hit points; this rank is only given to newly drafted soldiers and barbarian units). Each unit has an attack and defense value to determine the winner of each battle. Additional defensive bonuses can be conferred by, e.g., certain terrain types, the unit's "Fortify" command, or defending across a river. Ultimately, a ] determines the outcome of each battle. When an elite unit wins a battle against an enemy unit, there is also a small chance that it will produce a Great Leader. A Great Leader has the ability to create an ] or instantly finish construction of a building in a city, which made them particularly useful for completing wonders.


⚫ With respect to developing the cities within an empire, bonus resources may be found on tiles within the cultural borders. Each type of resource may provide a bonus to food, production, or commerce if found within the city radius and worked by a citizen. Particular kinds of resources, such as luxury or strategic resources, provide additional benefits such as increasing citizens' happiness or providing access to resource-specific combat units.
When an elite unit wins a battle against an enemy unit, there is a small chance that it will produce a Great Leader. A Great Leader has the ability to create an ]. All units have levels of experience, which affect the game in terms of their durability in combat. When the unit lose all its health, it dies.
⚫ In ''Civilization III'', there are three types of resources. Each type of resource can be found only on certain types of terrain and can provide a bonus to food, production, or commerce if found within the city radius and worked by a citizen. Bonus resources exist specifically for this purpose, while luxury and strategic resources provide other benefits, such as increasing citizens' happiness.


] existed in ''Civilization III'''. It includes waste which decreases a city's productivity. The levels of corruption and waste are dependent on the ] of a civilization and the distance the city is away from the civilization's capital city. There are a number of ways to combat corruption which include building city improvements, such as the ] and the ]. ] exists in ''Civilization III'' alongside waste, which decreases a city's productivity; together, corruption and waste represent the mismanagement of resources, the malfeasance of city-level bureaucrats, and the limits of a central authority's ability to manage an empire. Corruption and waste is often lowest in the capital city and highest on the outskirts of an empire. Furthermore, the levels of corruption and waste are dependent on the ] of a civilization. There are a number of ways to combat corruption which include building city improvements, such as the ] and the ]. Small wonders like the Forbidden Palace and the Secret Police HQ also drastically reduce corruption and waste by acting, in effect, as supplementary capitals.


There are several ways to win the game. A player needs to meet only one of the victory conditions to win a game. These include Conquest victory, achieved when no civilizations besides the player's exist, Domination victory, achieved when two thirds of the world's land and population are controlled by players, Cultural victory, achieved when the players successfully assimilated other civilizations, and Diplomatic victory. They can also send a spaceship to ] to launch a colony and win the game. If no civilization has met any of the other victory conditions, the civilization with the highest score wins the game. There are several ways to win the game. A player needs to meet only one of the victory conditions in order to win. These include Conquest victory, achieved when no civilizations besides the player's exist; Domination victory, achieved when two thirds of the world's land and population are controlled by the player; Cultural victory, achieved when the player successfully assimilates other civilizations; Diplomatic victory, achieved when the player is elected leader of the United Nations; and a science-based victory, achieved when the player researches a sufficient number of technologies and builds a spaceship to reach ]. If no civilization has met any of the other victory conditions by the year 2050, the civilization with the highest score wins the game.

==Development==
] of ] from Play the World.]]
⚫ {{expand section|date=January 2019}}
Civilization III was released after about two years of development on October 30, 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civilization III limited edition available for preorder |url=https://www.gamespot.com/app.php/articles/civilization-iii-limited-edition-available-for-preorder/1100-2815445/ |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Developed by Westlake Interactive and published by ], a version for ] was released on January 6, 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MacSoft ships Civilization III |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/152117/civ3.html |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>


==Reception== ==Reception==
===Sales===
In the United States, ''Civilization III'' entered ]'s weekly computer game sales rankings at #1 for October 28–November 3, 2001. Its ''Collectors Edition'' ] claimed second during the period.<ref name=week1>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011213221904/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2824649,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2824649,00.html | title=''Civilization III'' takes first and second place | author=Walker, Trey | date=November 14, 2001 | work=] | archive-date=December 13, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> Thanks to this debut, ''Civilization III'' became the country's fourth-best-selling computer title of October as a whole, with an average retail price of $49.<ref name=oct2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011202103635/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2828791,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2828791,00.html | title=''Hot Date'' holds off ''Harry Potter'' | author=Walker, Trey | date=November 29, 2001 | archive-date=December 2, 2001 | work=] | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> In its second week of availability, the game was pushed to #2 by '']'', and the ''Collectors Edition'' was absent from the top 10.<ref name=week2>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011123115511/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2826679,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2826679,00.html | title=Humongous takes the lead | author=Walker, Trey | date=November 21, 2001 | work=] | archive-date=November 23, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> Firaxis's title remained in NPD's weekly top 10 from November 11–December 1,<ref name=oct2001 /><ref name=week4>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011207105347/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2830271,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2830271,00.html | title=''Hot Date'' still hot | author=Walker, Trey | date=December 5, 2001 | work=] | archive-date=December 7, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=week5>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011214151701/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2832176,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2832176,00.html | title=''Harry Potter'' beats ''Hot Date'' | author=Walker, Trey | date=December 12, 2001 | work=] | archive-date=December 14, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> and took sixth place for November as a whole.<ref name=nov2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020213013550/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2833845,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2833845,00.html | title=''Hot Date'' rules November | author=Walker, Trey | date=December 19, 2001 | work=] | archive-date=February 13, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> After an absence,<ref name=nov2001 /><ref name=gone>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020105131539/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2835972,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2835972,00.html | title=''Harry Potter'' on top again | author=Walker, Trey | work=] | archive-date=January 5, 2002 | date=January 3, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> it reappeared in the weekly top 10 twice during December and secured 11th for the month.<ref name=dec1>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020202043938/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2836292,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2836292,00.html | title=EA takes three | author=Walker, Trey | work=] | date=January 4, 2002 | archive-date=February 2, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=dec2>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020111194504/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2837643,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2837643,00.html | title=''Sims'' games dominate year-end PC game sales | author=Walker, Trey | date=January 9, 2002 | work=] | archive-date=January 11, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=dec2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020127002855/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2841779,00.html | url=http://gamespot.com:80/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2841779,00.html | title=''Harry Potter'' takes December | author=Walker, Trey | date=January 23, 2002 | work=] | archive-date=January 27, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> ''Civilization III'' finished 2001 with domestic sales of 294,789 units, for revenues of $13.5 million.<ref name=2001nyu>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | title=Markle Forum on Children and Media | author=Bradshaw, Lucy | author-link=Lucy Bradshaw (game developer) | date=January 31, 2002 | publisher=] | archive-date=June 19, 2004 | url-status=live }}</ref>

''Civilization III'' sold 550,000 copies and earned $21.7 million in the United States by August 2006. At the time, this led '']'' to declare it the country's 21st-best-selling computer game released since January 2000. Combined sales of all ''Civilization'' titles released during the 2000s totaled 2.5 million units by 2006.<ref name=edgesales>{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ |title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century| author=''Edge'' Staff | date=August 25, 2006 |magazine=] |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Internationally, ''Civilization III'' received a "Silver" sales award from the ] (ELSPA),<ref name=silverelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3942 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver |work=] |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Reviews and awards===
{{Video game reviews {{Video game reviews
| GI = 8.5/10<ref></ref> | GI = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040924073039/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1616.14747.htm|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1616.14747.htm|archive-date=September 24, 2004|work=]|title=Civilization Giveth}}</ref>
| GameRev = A-<ref></ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516033.html| title = Meet the Gamers| accessdate = 2007-01-28| last = Squire| first = Kurt|author2=Constance Steinkuehler| date = 2005-04-15| work = | publisher = LibraryJournal.com}}</ref> | GameRev = A−<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305202400/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/civilization_iii |date=2007-03-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516033.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050822170903/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA516033.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2005-08-22| title = Meet the Gamers| access-date = 2007-01-28| last = Squire| first = Kurt| author2 = Constance Steinkuehler| date = 2005-04-15| publisher = LibraryJournal.com}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9.2/10<ref></ref> | GSpot = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilization3/review.html|title=Civilization III for PC Review {{en dash}} PC Civilization III Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060221091221/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilization3/review.html|archive-date=February 21, 2006|work=]}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.3/10<ref></ref> | IGN = 9.3/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/162/162062p1.html|title=Civilization III Review|work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021140929/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/30/civilization-iii-3|archive-date=October 21, 2017|url-status=dead|date=October 29, 2001}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
| PCGUS = 92%<ref></ref> | PCGUS = 92%<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018003238/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/sid_meiers_civi.html|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/sid_meiers_civi.html|archive-date=October 18, 2006|work=]|title=Sid Meier's Civilization III|author=Harms, William}}</ref>
⚫ }}{{expand section|date=June 2012}}
|MC=90/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sid-meiers-civilization-iii/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sid Meier's Civilization III for PC Reviews |publisher=]|access-date=March 25, 2017}}</ref>
}}


Jeff Lundrigan reviewed the PC version of the game for '']'', rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Given that ''Civ II'' was as close to perfect as any game has ever been, it's arguable that it wasn't possible to change it so much as add to it."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Lundrigan|first=Jeff|title=Finals|magazine=]|volume=5|issue=1|publisher=]|date=January 2002|page=90}}</ref>
The initial release of the game had some ]s and glitches. Some of the features that '']'' had but were not included in ''Civilization III'' (at least initially) included elevation, a working UN system, a ] system and a 'group movement' command to simplify managing units on the map.


The first ] came very soon after the game's initial release and other patches were released subsequently, improving gameplay significantly. The patches also added certain features, such as the group movement command noted above. There were complaints about the addition of features and bug fixes after initial release. Upon release, the reaction to ''Civilization III'' was very positive.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} It won several "Game of the Year" awards, such as the "]" award from the ]' ] (along with nominations for "Computer Game of the Year" and "]").<ref>{{cite web |title=2002 PC Strategy Game of the year |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2002&idGameAwardType=118 |website=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences}}</ref> The editors of '']'' named ''Civilization III'' the best strategy title and best overall computer game of 2001. They commented, "It's the best ''Civilization'' yet, and that's saying something."<ref name="cgm11th">{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=] | title=11th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2002 | issue=136 | pages=50–56 }}</ref> Nonetheless, the initial release of the game was slightly marred by ]s and glitches. The first ] came very soon after the game's initial release and other patches were released subsequently, improving gameplay significantly.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}} The patches also added certain features, such as the group movement command. There were complaints about the addition of features and bug fixes after initial release.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}


The editors of '']'' awarded ''Civilization III'' their 2001 "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game" prize, and wrote that it "manages to recapture all that was great about its predecessors and color them with a few great new strokes—''without'' pantsing up what was so great about them in the first place."<ref name=pcgamerusawards2002>{{cite journal |date=March 2002 | title=The Eighth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=9 | number=3 | pages=32, 33, 36, 36, 37, 40, 42 | journal=] | author=Staff }}</ref> ''Civilization III'' was a nominee for '']''{{'}}s 2001 "Best Strategy Game" award, which ultimately went to '']''. The editors wrote, "''Civilization III'' was another fantastic candidate. Many feel it's the best game so far in the series and is the new benchmark for turn-based strategy games."<ref name=cgwpremier2001>{{cite magazine | author=((Editors of ''Computer Gaming World'')) | magazine=] | title=Games of the Year; The Very Best of a (Sometimes) Great Year in Gaming |date=April 2002 | issue=213 | pages=69–73, 76–84 }}</ref>
Upon release, the reaction to ''Civilization III'' was very positive. It won several "Game of the Year" awards such as the ] 2002 ''Computer Strategy Game of the Year''.


==Expansions== ==Expansions==
Two expansion sets have been published for ''Sid Meier's Civilization III'': '']'', and '']''.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page">{{cite web|title=Civilization III Official Website Features Page|url=http://www.civ3.com/features.cfm|website=Civilization III Official Website|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> Two expansion sets have been published for ''Sid Meier's Civilization III'': '']'' in October 2002, and '']'' in November 2003.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page">{{cite web|title=Civilization III Official Website Features Page|url=http://www.civ3.com/features.cfm|website=Civilization III Official Website|access-date=5 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207044812/http://www.civ3.com/features.cfm|archive-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''Play the World'' added ] capabilities, eight new civilizations and some new units to the original release.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page"/> {{clarify |date=February 2019 |reason= Because why? |text= The roll-out of the multiplayer functionalities with this expansion was highly criticized. }}<ref>{{cite magazine|author=((Editors of ''CGW''))|magazine=]|title=Sim Games that Suck|date=July 2004|issue=240|page=108}}</ref> ''Play the World'' was followed-up by ''Conquests'', which offers nine more historical scenarios, ranging from ] to ]. Many of these scenarios have resources, improvements, wonders, music, and even government types that are specific to the scenario, especially the ]n and ] ] campaigns.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page"/>

''Play the World'' added ] capabilities, eight new civilizations and some new units to the original release.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page"/>

''Conquests'' offers nine more historical scenarios, ranging from ] to ]. Many of these scenarios have resources, improvements, wonders, music, and even government types that are specific to the scenario, especially the ]n and ] ] campaigns.<ref name="Civ 3 Official - Features page"/>


The stand-alone version is ''Civilization III: Complete Edition'', which includes the two expansions and several patches. (This version came after ''Civilization III: Gold Edition'' and ''Civilization III: Game of the Year Edition''.) The stand-alone version is ''Civilization III: Complete Edition'', which includes the two expansions and several patches. (This version came after ''Civilization III: Gold Edition'' and ''Civilization III: Game of the Year Edition''.)

==Board game==
In 2002, ] published the ], created by Glenn Dover. The game was based on ''Civilization III'' and mirrored many of the video game's concepts and gameplay components.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3633/sid-meiers-civilization-boardgame|work=]|title=Sid Meier's Civilization: The Boardgame (2002)|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* (archived)
* '''' on ] * '''' on ]
* *

{{Civilization}} {{Civilization}}
{{Firaxis}}
{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 09:13, 1 August 2024

2001 turn-based strategy video game 2001 video game
Civilization III
Developer(s)Firaxis Games (Win)
Westlake Interactive (Mac)
Publisher(s)Infogrames Interactive (Win)
MacSoft (Mac)
Producer(s)Michael Gibson
Jeffrey Kennedy
Designer(s)Jeff Briggs
Soren Johnson
Writer(s)Paul Murphy
Composer(s)Roger Briggs
Mark Cromer
SeriesCivilization
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
ReleaseWindows
  • NA: October 30, 2001
  • EU: March 1, 2002
Mac OS
  • NA: January 6, 2002
Genre(s)Turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Sid Meier's Civilization III is the third installment of the Sid Meier's Civilization turn-based strategy video game series. It was released in 2001, and followed by Civilization IV. Unlike the original game, Civilization III was not designed by Sid Meier, but by Jeff Briggs, a game designer, and Soren Johnson, a game programmer.

Civilization III, like the other Civilization games, entails building an empire, from the ground up, beginning in 4,000 BC and continuing slightly beyond the modern day. The player must construct and improve cities, train military and non-military units, improve terrain, research technologies, build Wonders of the World, make war or peace with neighboring civilizations, and so on. The player must balance a good infrastructure, resources, diplomatic and trading skills, technological advancement, city and empire management, culture, and military power to succeed.

Gameplay

This section may need to be rewritten to comply with Misplaced Pages's quality standards. You can help. The talk page may contain suggestions. (June 2012)
Configuring city resources in the game

The game map is made up of square tiles on a grid. Each city, terrain improvement, and unit is located in a specific tile, and each tile can host any number of units. Land tiles can contain a transportation improvement (road or railroad) and a land improvement (farm or mine) or a city. Cities must be built a minimum of one tile away from each other, i.e., no two cities may touch. Each tile is made of a particular type of terrain that determines, among other things, how much food, production, and trade it produces when "worked". A tile can only be worked if it is one of the twenty tiles surrounding a city. A tile can only be worked by one city at a time, and each city can only work a number of tiles equal to or less than its population.

Food is used to grow the player's cities. Each population unit requires food to survive, and excess food is stored. Production, represented in the game as "shields", is used to build units, buildings, and wonders. Commerce powers the player's economy. This commerce is split up as the player sees fit between research, tax revenue, and luxuries, each with a different purpose.

Each city's citizens have a certain mood (happy, content, unhappy, or resisting). If most citizens are unhappy, the city falls into civil disorder and all production ceases; if a city remains in civil disorder for too long, it can lead to rioting, which results in improvements being destroyed. If most citizens are happy, they will like their leader and increase economic benefits.

Terrain improvements are built by Worker units. Irrigation increases food, mines increase production, and roads increase commerce and reduce movement costs for all allied land units using them. Two civilizations must have Right of passage treaty signed to benefit from each other's roads.

Buildings enhance a city in some way and cost maintenance. Like units and Wonders, each one can only be built when the requisite technology has been acquired. Buildings require financial maintenance each turn, and can be destroyed. Only one of each type of building can be constructed in each city.

As in previous installments of Civilization, there are unique Wonders of the World that can only be built once per game. Wonders provide a variety of major benefits to a specific city, all cities on a continent, or to an entire empire. Civilization III also added Small Wonders, which are functionally equivalent to Wonders except that each one can be constructed once per civilization, as opposed to once in every whole game. Small Wonders have, for the most part, a sociological requirement to construct them, as well as a technological requirement. When a civilization captures a city with a Small Wonder, it is automatically destroyed. Some examples of small wonders are Wall Street, the Forbidden Palace, and The Pentagon.

One of the major features of gameplay is scientific research. Completing the research of a new technology will make available new units, city improvements, and wonders of the world, as well as special bonuses and abilities that are related to the technology. The technology tree is divided into four ages (Ancient Age, Middle Ages, Industrial Age, and Modern Age); each age requires the research of specific technologies to advance to that age. Additionally, there are non-requisite technologies that nevertheless provide useful bonuses that are often essential for good empire management, or allow a civilization to install a new government. Technologies can also be traded to and from other civilizations in return for gold, resources, technologies, workers, and cities. Technologies acquired in this way can in turn be exchanged (also called 'technology brokering') for other new technologies by contacting one or more other civilizations.

Citizens are the people who work in a city. There are four kinds: Laborers, Entertainers, Tax Collectors, and Scientists. If there are more citizens in a city than available tiles to work, the extra citizens automatically become Entertainers. The second expansion, Conquests, adds two new types of citizens to the game: Policemen (reduce corruption) and Civil Engineers (enhance building and wonder production).

Culture is a feature that was not present in previous installments of the franchise. Each city has a cultural rating, which is the city's influence over local terrain. Essentially, the culture's outer edge, or "border", acts as the boundary of each civilization's empire. As the city's culture rating increases, so does its sphere of influence, bringing more territory under the player's control. Civilizations' borders may abut, resulting in their culture ratings vying for territory. If one player's culture rating is sufficiently higher than the other's, the former's borders will encroach into territory previously owned by the latter. Given enough time and cultural pressure, the latter player's city may even elect to join, or "flip to," the former's empire. Culture can thus serve as a means of peaceful conquest.

Every civilization starts with certain special abilities, and they have a special "unique unit" that only they can build; these units usually have a historical basis (for example: the Japanese unique unit is the samurai, which replaces the standard knight, whereas the British unique unit is the Man-O-War, which replaces the standard frigate).

Citizens may be of different nationalities

Citizens have a nationality based upon the civilization under which they were "born." Citizens have a "memory" of their nationality and will consider themselves members of their previous civilization until they are assimilated into their new civilization.

Combat is an important aspect of the game. Each combat unit begins as a "regular" unit with three hit points (although some units have additional hit points bonuses which affect their stats). If the unit loses all its hit points, it dies. Units can be promoted after successful combat missions and gain hit points. The highest rank a unit can attain is that of "elite" (which features five hit points), whereas the lowest is "conscript" (featuring two hit points; this rank is only given to newly drafted soldiers and barbarian units). Each unit has an attack and defense value to determine the winner of each battle. Additional defensive bonuses can be conferred by, e.g., certain terrain types, the unit's "Fortify" command, or defending across a river. Ultimately, a random number generator determines the outcome of each battle. When an elite unit wins a battle against an enemy unit, there is also a small chance that it will produce a Great Leader. A Great Leader has the ability to create an Army or instantly finish construction of a building in a city, which made them particularly useful for completing wonders.

With respect to developing the cities within an empire, bonus resources may be found on tiles within the cultural borders. Each type of resource may provide a bonus to food, production, or commerce if found within the city radius and worked by a citizen. Particular kinds of resources, such as luxury or strategic resources, provide additional benefits such as increasing citizens' happiness or providing access to resource-specific combat units.

Corruption exists in Civilization III alongside waste, which decreases a city's productivity; together, corruption and waste represent the mismanagement of resources, the malfeasance of city-level bureaucrats, and the limits of a central authority's ability to manage an empire. Corruption and waste is often lowest in the capital city and highest on the outskirts of an empire. Furthermore, the levels of corruption and waste are dependent on the system of government of a civilization. There are a number of ways to combat corruption which include building city improvements, such as the courthouse and the police station. Small wonders like the Forbidden Palace and the Secret Police HQ also drastically reduce corruption and waste by acting, in effect, as supplementary capitals.

There are several ways to win the game. A player needs to meet only one of the victory conditions in order to win. These include Conquest victory, achieved when no civilizations besides the player's exist; Domination victory, achieved when two thirds of the world's land and population are controlled by the player; Cultural victory, achieved when the player successfully assimilates other civilizations; Diplomatic victory, achieved when the player is elected leader of the United Nations; and a science-based victory, achieved when the player researches a sufficient number of technologies and builds a spaceship to reach Alpha Centauri. If no civilization has met any of the other victory conditions by the year 2050, the civilization with the highest score wins the game.

Development

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2019)

Civilization III was released after about two years of development on October 30, 2001. Developed by Westlake Interactive and published by MacSoft, a version for Mac OS was released on January 6, 2002.

Reception

Sales

In the United States, Civilization III entered NPD Intelect's weekly computer game sales rankings at #1 for October 28–November 3, 2001. Its Collectors Edition SKU claimed second during the period. Thanks to this debut, Civilization III became the country's fourth-best-selling computer title of October as a whole, with an average retail price of $49. In its second week of availability, the game was pushed to #2 by Backyard Basketball, and the Collectors Edition was absent from the top 10. Firaxis's title remained in NPD's weekly top 10 from November 11–December 1, and took sixth place for November as a whole. After an absence, it reappeared in the weekly top 10 twice during December and secured 11th for the month. Civilization III finished 2001 with domestic sales of 294,789 units, for revenues of $13.5 million.

Civilization III sold 550,000 copies and earned $21.7 million in the United States by August 2006. At the time, this led Edge to declare it the country's 21st-best-selling computer game released since January 2000. Combined sales of all Civilization titles released during the 2000s totaled 2.5 million units by 2006. Internationally, Civilization III received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.

Reviews and awards

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic90/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer8.5/10
GameRevolutionA−
GameSpot9.2/10
IGN9.3/10
Next Generation
PC Gamer (US)92%

Jeff Lundrigan reviewed the PC version of the game for Next Generation, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Given that Civ II was as close to perfect as any game has ever been, it's arguable that it wasn't possible to change it so much as add to it."

Upon release, the reaction to Civilization III was very positive. It won several "Game of the Year" awards, such as the "PC Strategy" award from the AIAS' 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards (along with nominations for "Computer Game of the Year" and "Game of the Year"). The editors of Computer Games Magazine named Civilization III the best strategy title and best overall computer game of 2001. They commented, "It's the best Civilization yet, and that's saying something." Nonetheless, the initial release of the game was slightly marred by bugs and glitches. The first patch came very soon after the game's initial release and other patches were released subsequently, improving gameplay significantly. The patches also added certain features, such as the group movement command. There were complaints about the addition of features and bug fixes after initial release.

The editors of PC Gamer US awarded Civilization III their 2001 "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game" prize, and wrote that it "manages to recapture all that was great about its predecessors and color them with a few great new strokes—without pantsing up what was so great about them in the first place." Civilization III was a nominee for Computer Gaming World's 2001 "Best Strategy Game" award, which ultimately went to Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns. The editors wrote, "Civilization III was another fantastic candidate. Many feel it's the best game so far in the series and is the new benchmark for turn-based strategy games."

Expansions

Two expansion sets have been published for Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play the World in October 2002, and Conquests in November 2003. Play the World added multiplayer capabilities, eight new civilizations and some new units to the original release. The roll-out of the multiplayer functionalities with this expansion was highly criticized. Play the World was followed-up by Conquests, which offers nine more historical scenarios, ranging from Mesopotamia to WWII in the Pacific. Many of these scenarios have resources, improvements, wonders, music, and even government types that are specific to the scenario, especially the Mesoamerican and Sengoku Japan campaigns.

The stand-alone version is Civilization III: Complete Edition, which includes the two expansions and several patches. (This version came after Civilization III: Gold Edition and Civilization III: Game of the Year Edition.)

Board game

In 2002, Eagle Games published the Sid Meier's Civilization board game, created by Glenn Dover. The game was based on Civilization III and mirrored many of the video game's concepts and gameplay components.

References

  1. "Infogrames UK". www.uk.infogrames.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2003. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  2. "Civilization III limited edition available for preorder". GameSpot. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  3. "MacSoft ships Civilization III". Macworld. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  4. Walker, Trey (November 14, 2001). "Civilization III takes first and second place". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 13, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  5. ^ Walker, Trey (November 29, 2001). "Hot Date holds off Harry Potter". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 2, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  6. Walker, Trey (November 21, 2001). "Humongous takes the lead". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 23, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  7. Walker, Trey (December 5, 2001). "Hot Date still hot". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 7, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  8. Walker, Trey (December 12, 2001). "Harry Potter beats Hot Date". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 14, 2001. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  9. ^ Walker, Trey (December 19, 2001). "Hot Date rules November". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 13, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  10. Walker, Trey (January 3, 2002). "Harry Potter on top again". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 5, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  11. Walker, Trey (January 4, 2002). "EA takes three". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 2, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  12. Walker, Trey (January 9, 2002). "Sims games dominate year-end PC game sales". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 11, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  13. Walker, Trey (January 23, 2002). "Harry Potter takes December". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 27, 2002. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
  14. Bradshaw, Lucy (January 31, 2002). "Markle Forum on Children and Media" (PDF). New York University. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 19, 2004.
  15. Edge Staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  16. "ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  17. Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017.
  18. "Civilization Giveth". GameInformer.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2004.
  19. Civilization III review for the PC Archived 2007-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
  20. Squire, Kurt; Constance Steinkuehler (2005-04-15). "Meet the Gamers". LibraryJournal.com. Archived from the original on 2005-08-22. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  21. "Civilization III for PC Review – PC Civilization III Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 21, 2006.
  22. "Civilization III Review". IGN. October 29, 2001. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017.
  23. ^ Lundrigan, Jeff (January 2002). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 5, no. 1. Imagine Media. p. 90.
  24. Harms, William. "Sid Meier's Civilization III". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006.
  25. "Sid Meier's Civilization III for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  26. "2002 PC Strategy Game of the year". Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.
  27. Staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine (136): 50–56.
  28. Staff (March 2002). "The Eighth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer US. 9 (3): 32, 33, 36, 36, 37, 40, 42.
  29. Editors of Computer Gaming World (April 2002). "Games of the Year; The Very Best of a (Sometimes) Great Year in Gaming". Computer Gaming World. No. 213. pp. 69–73, 76–84.
  30. ^ "Civilization III Official Website Features Page". Civilization III Official Website. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  31. Editors of CGW (July 2004). "Sim Games that Suck". Computer Gaming World. No. 240. p. 108.
  32. "Sid Meier's Civilization: The Boardgame (2002)". Boardgame Geek. Retrieved January 24, 2018.

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