Since 1991, fans of Sid Meier's Civilization video game series have been trying to conquer the planet. Now it looks like they will set their sights on the stars.
The first trailer for Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth ($49.99 for Mac and Windows PC) has been revealed and it’s a bit grim. The human race has pretty much ruined its home, so people escape into space to colonize new worlds.
Like a futuristic Hernán Cortés, you will fly under the banner of a national sponsor to dominate undiscovered lands by building cities, researching new technology, amassing armies and subduing the native people — or, in this case, alien life forms. You can either conquer the galaxy by yourself or play along with eight other people.
Overall, the concept behind Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, due out in the fall of 2014, is not that different from the previous games. What Civilization fans should geek out about is the technology in the game, which is no longer tied to actual history. That means more far-out gadgets and weapons to play with. Just try not to ruin your new planet this time around.
