Summary
A name that just about any strategy video game fan will recognize but not know a whole lot about,Sid Meierhas been a lead figure in the strategy genre since the early 1980s. Of course, nowadays, Sid Meier is best known fortheCivilizationfranchise, being credited as the programmer, designer, and producer for the first 1991Civilization, and then continuing to work on the series in various ways throughout the next three decades. But there’s far more to Sid Meier than many fans might know.
Born in Ontario, Canada, Sid Meier studied history and computer science at the University of Michigan, and in 1982, after trying out an Atari 800 for the first time, Meier decided to team up with co-worker Bill Stealey to forge their own video game development company, MicroProse. For a decade, Meier worked with MicroProse, and when the company merged with Spectrum HoloByte he left to form Firaxis, a studio that still works onCivilizationall these years later. ButCivilizationis far from the only game Sid Meier has lent his name to over the years.
Every Sid Meier Game (Except Civilization) Ever Made
Technically speaking, Sid Meier worked on 20 games before the year 1987, but none of those titles bear his name. This list focuses solely on games that use the title “Sid Meier’s.”
1987
1990
1994
1997
1999
2002
2004
2006
2011
2013
Sid Meier’s Starships
2015
WhileCivilizationis undeniably the most successful franchise under Sid Meier’s name,Sid Meier’sPiratesandRailroadseriesare still beloved by many. The first game to use Meier’s name as a selling point, 1987’sSid Meier’s Pirates!sees players take control of a privateer for one of the ruling empires of the 16th, 17th, or 18th centuries, where they can hunt down pirates or become one themselves.Pirates!proved to be an incredibly groundbreaking game, especially for the simulation genre, and it even received a remake of sorts in 2004 that earned a lot of critical praise.
Then there’sSid Meier’s Railroad Tycoon, a game that was originally released all the way back in 1990 and began a multi-decade-spanning series of its own. After three numbered sequels,theRailroad Tycoonseriestook a bit of a break, eventually returning in 2006 with the release ofSid Meier’s Railroads!which was the first game in the series since the original to feature Meier’s direct involvement.
Over the last few decades, Sid Meier has also developed a number of subtlespin-offs from theCivilizationseries, ones that technically don’t feature theCivname, but feature similar gameplay mechanics.Sid Meier’s Colonizationis the perfect example of this. Releasing just three years after the firstCivilization,Colonizationplays very similarly to that first entry, but rather than build a nation from scratch players begin the game by working for the Crown. As they continue to build up their own colony’s infrastructure and defenses players can fight for independence.
In 1997, Sid Meier released his first real-time tactical strategy game. TitledSid Meier’s Gettysburg!, this real-time strategy military sim puts players in the boots of either the Confederate or Union army as they attempt to win the titular Battle of Gettysburg. A sequel titledSid Meier’s Antietam!released in 1999, once again focusing onthe American Civil War.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Sid Meier has always put experimentation at the forefront of his game design, and that’s resulted in some intriguing one-off releases over the years. 2002’sSid Meier’s SimGolfis a good example of this, pairingEA’sSimslicensewith Meier’s penchant for simulation and creativity to deliver a surprisingly great golfing sim that lets players build their own courses and play on them.
Sid Meier’s Civilization 6
WHERE TO PLAY
Civilization VIoffers new ways to engage with your world: cities now physically expand across the map, active research in technology and culture unlocks new potential, and competing leaders will pursue their own agendas based on their historical traits as you race for one of five ways to achieve victory in the game.Expansive empiresSee the marvels of your empire spread across the map like never before. Each district, wonder, and improvement is built on its own hex, allowing you to customize your city to your heart’s content. From the Commercial Hub to the Spaceport, every district provides unique and powerful bonuses. Pick and choose which districts to build to fit your needs! Build better than your opponents, place yourself strategically for your allies, and become the best civilization on Earth.Active ResearchBoost your civilization’s progress through history to unlock powerful bonuses before anyone else! To advance more quickly, use your units to actively explore, develop your environment, and discover new cultures. Research isn’t just limited to science. Explore the Civics tree to unlock powerful new governments and cultural policies Cultivate the civilization that fits your playstyle, or switch it up every time you play!Dynamic diplomacyAs the game progresses, so do your diplomatic relationships. From primitive first interactions where conflict is a fact of life, to late game alliances and negotiations. Carry influence with nearby city states to gain its diplomatic allegiance and earn game-changing city-state bonuses. Enlist spies to gather crucial intel on rival civilizations, steal precious resources, and even topple governments.
