Wednesday 28-Mar-2007 2:29 PM Beyond the Sword said to usher in the largest amount of expansion content in the history of the Civilization franchise. Crikey
2K Games has blown the lid off Beyond the Sword, a second expansion for Civilization IV which is due to release in July.
Beyond the Sword focuses on time periods post the invention of gunpowder and features 12 scenarios that have been created by Firaxis and members of the Civ community. In addition, 16 new leaders, five new wonders, and a variety of new units are included.
2K Games has said the expansion ushers in the largest amount of expansion content in the history of the Civilization franchise, hitting us with a monster list of key features:
Expanded Epic Game: Firaxis Games delivers a massive increase in new units, buildings, and technologies to the epic game with additional focus on the late-game time periods.
New Game Scenarios: The expansion will deliver 12 new scenarios, many containing themes never before included in the Civilization series, custom designed by the team at Firaxis and select members of the Civ Fan Community.
New Civilizations: The expansion pack includes ten new civilizations, such as Portugal, Babylon and Netherlands and their associated unique units and buildings.
More Civilization Leaders: Sixteen new leaders including leaders for the ten new civilizations, as well as additional leaders for existing civilizations.
Corporations: A new gameplay feature that allows players to create corporations and spread them throughout the world. Each corporation provides benefits in exchange for certain resources.
Espionage: Now available much earlier in the game, this expanded feature offers players many new ways to spy on opponents, stir citizen unrest and defend their government's secrets.
Events: New random events such as natural disasters, pleas for help, or demands from their citizens will challenge players to overcome obstacles in order for their civilizations to prosper.
New Wonders: Five new wonders await discovery including the Statue of Zeus, Cristo Redentor, Shwedagon Paya, the Mausoleum of Maussollos, and the Moai Statues.
Expanded Space Victory: Winning the race to Alpha Centauri will now require more strategic planning and tactical decision making.
Apostolic Palace: The United Nations will become available earlier in the game, providing a way for players to win a diplomatic victory earlier. New resolutions will also be added which will expand the available diplomatic options.
Advanced Starts: A major fan request, this new feature will enable players to "buy" components of a custom-tailored empire and begin play in the later part of the game, allowing them to experience many of the new features of the expansion pack in a shorter amount of time.
Enhanced AI: The AI has received many enhancements, making it tougher to beat on the higher difficulty levels. The ways in which the AI will attempt to achieve victory have also been expanded.
Now you've read through that lot, you can have a look at the pretty Beyond the Sword artwork we've been sent. Enjoy.
I wish theyd put named regions in, Alpha centauri style. It just made the whole thing more human. Also, Hitler as a leader and the native american civ.
Seriously though, I would love to see the civ game continue after you've taken over the planet. Some lovely space civilisation would be amazing. Though I guess Spore will have to do.
Thank God, I'm not the only one who wants to see Hitler as a Civ leader... We're gonna have to wait a lot longer until 'The Powers That Be' stop demonising him, and it becomes 'socially acceptable'(read 'media acceptable') for Sid to stick him in there. Maybe Civ VI?
To be honest, this all sounds like a bit too much for me. Just the thought of starting one of the epic games scares the bejayzus out of me.
If, on the other hand, I suddenly came into a lot of money, and didn't have to spend my time working to make a living anymore, I'd be clawing at Firaxis to get this out to me as soon as humanly possible.
Why would people stop deamonizing Hitler? He was an evil bastard who got what was coming to him. I mean its not like he tried to wipe out an entire race of people or anything.... oh no wait, hang on... he did!
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