View source for Civilization IV

{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Civilization IV
| image = CivIVboxshot.jpg
| developer = [[Firaxis Games]]
| publisher = [[2K (company)|2K]] <small>(Win)</small><br />[[Aspyr]] <small>(Mac)</small>
| director = 
| producer = Barry Caudill<ref name="cavgames">{{cite web |url=https://www.computerandvideogames.com/142558/interviews/looking-back-civilization-iv/?skip=yes |title=Interview: Looking Back... Civilization IV |author=PC Zone staff |author-link=PC Zone |date=6 July 2006 |series=Interviews: PC |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] U.S. |pages=1–3 |format=PHP |id=142558 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726233931/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=142558&skip=yes |archive-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 February 2007 |quote=We pull up a pew with developer Firaxis and talk deep, dark diplomacy. }}</ref>
| designer = [[Soren Johnson]]
| programmer = Soren Johnson
| artist = Steve Ogden
| composer = [[Jeffery L. Briggs]]<br />[[Christopher Tin]]
| series = ''[[Civilization (series)|Civilization]]''
| engine = [[Gamebryo]]<ref name="gamebryo">{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/articles/595/595761p1.html |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV Powered By Gamebryo |last=Coleman |first=Stephen |date=14 March 2005 |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211162842/http://games.ign.com/articles/595/595761p1.html |archive-date=11 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS|Mac OS X]]
| released = '''Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 25, 2005|PAL|November 4, 2005}}'''Mac OS X'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 26, 2006}}
| genre = [[Turn-based strategy]], [[4X]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Civilization IV''''' (also known as '''''Sid Meier's Civilization IV''''') is a 2005 [[4X]] [[turn-based strategy]] video game developed by [[Firaxis Games]] and published by [[2K (company)|2K]]. It is the fourth installment of the [[Civilization (series)|''Civilization'' series]] and was designed by [[Soren Johnson]]. It was released in North America, Europe, and Australia, between October 25 and November 4, 2005, and followed by ''[[Civilization V]]''.

''Civilization IV'' uses the [[4X]] empire-building model for [[turn-based strategy]] gameplay, in which the player's main objective is to construct a [[civilization]] from limited initial resources. Most standard full-length games start the player with a settler unit and/or a city unit in 4000 BC. As with other games in the series, there are by default five objectives the player can pursue in order to finish the game: conquering all other civilizations, controlling a [[supermajority]] of the game world's land and population, building and sending the first [[sleeper ship]] to the [[Alpha Centauri]] star system, increasing the "Culture ratings" of at least three cities to "legendary" levels, or winning a "World Leader" popularity contest by the [[United Nations]]. If the time limit for the game is reached and none of the previous goals has been fulfilled by any players including game [[Artificial intelligence|AI players]], the civilization with the highest total game score is declared winner. A large departure from earlier ''Civilization'' games is a new [[game engine|graphics engine]] created from scratch, based on the [[Gamebryo]] engine by Numerical Design Limited (NDL).

The game has received critical acclaim and was hailed as an exemplary product of one of the leading video game producers in the turn-based strategy genre, and has been listed as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games]] of all time. ''Civilization IV'' sold over 3 million copies by 2008 and won multiple awards, including several [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards. Its title song, "[[Baba Yetu]]", was the first piece of [[video game music]] to win a [[Grammy Award]]. Two major expansions were released, ''[[Civilization IV: Warlords]]'' and ''[[Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword]]'', as well as the [[stand-alone expansion pack]] ''[[Civilization IV: Colonization]]'', which were all combined in 2009 into one release edition titled ''Sid Meier's Civilization IV: The Complete Edition''.

== Gameplay ==
''Civilization IV'' follows some of the [[4X|4X model]] of turn-based strategy games, a genre in which players control an [[empire]] and "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate", by having the player attempt to lead a modest group of [[people]] from a base with initially scarce resources into a successful [[empire]] or [[civilization]].<ref name="4Xfulldefinition">For sources that go into detail about each of the four Xs, see: {{cite web |url=http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/818084/page_2.html |title=Civilization IV: Warlords Guide |author=J. "PyroFalkon" Habib |date=17 August 2006 |publisher=[[IGN]] |url-status=dead |access-date=26 July 2008 |postscript=none |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312080743/http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/818084/page_2.html |archive-date=March 12, 2012 }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/Gameplay |title=Sins of a Solar Empire: Gameplay |publisher=[[Ironclad Games]] |format=ASPX |access-date=23 June 2008 |postscript=none |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002025046/http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/Gameplay |archive-date=2 October 2011 }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/4x-games |title=4X Games: Group Description |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618074603/http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/4x-games |archive-date=18 June 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 June 2008 }}</ref><ref name="gameguru">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameguru.in/features/2013/12/best-civilization-games/ |title=5 Best Civilization Games |last=Mehta |first=Prakash |date=12 December 2013 |publisher=GameGuru |access-date=23 December 2013}}</ref> The condition for winning the game is accomplished through one of the five ways: militarily defeating all other civilizations in the game world, controlling over two-thirds of the game world's land and population, building the first spaceship in the Space Age and sending it to [[Alpha Centauri]], having the most dominant Culture ratings over other civilizations, or becoming "World Leader" through the [[United Nations]] votes.<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/21/civilization-iv-review |title=Civilization IV Review |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=21 October 2005 |publisher=[[IGN]] |page=4 |access-date=23 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108144654/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/21/civilization-iv-review |archive-date=8 January 2014 }}</ref> Additionally, there are multiple game scores for each civilization throughout the game based on the actions of each civilization and a number of factors, allowing for a win condition based on the total of these points if the game timer runs out. The game can be played in multiple modes: as a [[single-player video game|single player]] facing against one or more [[artificial intelligence|computer-controlled opponents]], in hot seat mode, or through [[multiplayer video game|online multiplayer games]].<ref name="ignfaq">{{cite web |url=http://faqs.ign.com/articles/620/620531p1.html |title=Civilization IV Official Press Sheet |date=31 May 2005 |publisher=[[IGN]] |id=620531p1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303223623/http://faqs.ign.com/articles/620/620531p1.html |archive-date=3 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

As with other turn-based strategy video games, the player can customize the look and feel of their game world as well as the difficulty of any game AI players before the game starts. Each map space has a terrain type, such as plains, tundra, or desert, that affects the available resources players can extract from their environments and the movements of certain units through that terrain. The player is then given 18 civilizations to choose from, each with their own [[:wikt:pros and cons|pros and cons]], plus a leader avatar, an initial set of civilization technology, and any units unique to that civilization. When the game starts, however, it chooses random locations to place across a predefined square grid map. Like other [[Strategy video game|strategy games]], ''Civilization IV'' has a [[fog of war]] feature, in which unexplored territory remains darkened and territories without any units stationed on its designated square is shaded with darker colors.<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/civilization-iv-review/1900-6136659/ |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV Review for PC |last=Park |first=Andrew |date=26 October 2005 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028013750/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilizationiv/review.html |archive-date=28 October 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2009 |quote=If you have even a passing interest in strategy games, world history, or getting less sleep at night, you owe it to yourself to give Civilization IV a try.}}</ref>

===Units and combat===
[[File:Civilization IV Print Screen.png|thumb|upright|Example of some of the units and 3D graphics unique to ''Civilization IV'']]
Most units that the player can generate and use are military units, with certain attributes such as combat strength and movement rate particular to each military type. Each unit can gain [[experience point|experience]] through combat, which later translates into promotions that the player can use to assign military units new bonuses.<ref name="ignreview"/> Initially, most combat takes place on land, but further advancements in the game's [[technology tree]] can allow the player to build ships and planes with which to fight battles on sea and in the air. Any number of units can be stacked onto a single space and move as a group if so assigned, but the overall combat phase is resolved by one-on-one unit battles.

Combat is initiated when moving military units are moved onto the square occupied by an opposing force's military units and cities, and combat is then resolved with calculating statistics of each unit combined with some [[random number generation|random chance]].  Defeated units are removed from the game (apart from workers and settlers, which are captured by the attacking force), and any attacking units that are able to defeat the last defending military unit on a space will move to occupy that space.  If the space is occupied by a city the player may choose to occupy and capture the city as their own or [[Demolition|raze]] it. Other than combat, military units can also be assigned to fortify a specific space, perform sentry duties, destroy enemy city improvements, or explore the game world.

Non-military units include settlers who are used to found cities, workers who are used to improve space and gather resources, spies who can perform [[counterintelligence]] and [[espionage]], and religious missionaries who can be sent to convert different civilizations and cities. Also, with the Beyond the Sword expansion, new units are added such as executives, who can spread corporations to new cities. Throughout the game, players may also generate a special unit called a "Great Person". These are named after historical figures and can be used for one-time advantage boosts in various ways; examples include Great Engineers who increase overall production levels and Great Scientists who improve technology. Assigning inhabitants of cities to work as 'specialists' (scientists, engineers, artists, spies, merchants or priests), building certain wonders or discovering certain technologies can improve the rate at which Great People are generated.  Great Generals are generated when a player's forces achieve a certain number of victories, and can be used either to give a small amount of extra experience to all units trained in a city, or a very high level of experience to one unit.  However, like other units, Great People of all kinds can be attacked and killed before the players can use them.<ref name="ignfaq"/>

===Resources and buildings===
Once a city is founded, it will automatically begin extracting resources from surrounding spaces; the amount of spaces it can extract from is determined by the city's population size. The game automatically allocates the spaces a city uses and how its resources are maintained as the city grows, but the player is free to manage the city directly. This feature can be utilized to turn a part of the population into one of several specialized occupations; at the cost of having one less space from the city, these specialists increase gathering and production of the resources of their targeted specializations.

Each city can only produce one military unit or one building at a time; any additional units or buildings are placed into a [[queue area|queue]]. The rate of construction is determined by the amount of material collected from the surrounding spaces; players can also choose to speed production by sacrificing gold or population if they adopt the required governmental policy; called [[civics]]. The player can instead specialize the city towards gathering a particular resource instead of constructing additional units or buildings. Also, in order to produce some units or buildings, certain resources must be collected within the empire and connected to the empires trade network by roads or harbours (for example, horses are needed for mounted units, and iron for swords, while stone or marble increase production of certain Wonders.).

Buildings perform any number of different functions depending on building type; for example, early buildings such as granaries improve food storage to boost the city's growth and barracks produce better military units, while later buildings such as factories increase general production levels. There are also a number of unique buildings throughout the game.  Most notable are [[Wonders of the World|World Wonders]], which can be accessed through research nodes in the technology tree and construction through the worker unit. World Wonders provide advantages that are unique to each civilization, as they are limited to only one or two players.

Through buildings and specialists, each city also generates the "Culture" resource that contributes towards both the area upon which the city can influence for extracting resources and the overall civilization's cultural value. When two cities of different civilizations are adjacent to each other, the culture values of each city influences the space they can control; it is even possible that a city close to another civilization's city will join that civilization if their culture is strong enough. The high levels of culture gathering and attainment are also one of the default conditions that can be used to win the game.<ref name="ignreview"/>

===Technology, government and religion===
[[File:Civilization4-Civics.jpg|thumb|upright|A screenshot of [[government|Civics]] option menu in ''Civilization IV''<ref name="cavgames"/>]]
Once the first city has been founded, the player can select their first technology node from the game's technology tree to research, once the required number of research points have been accumulated, the technology is obtained. As with other types of technology trees, more advanced technology nodes require the research of other previous technology nodes.  The player can also select a future technology and immediately place into the game queue any technology nodes between the current technology level and the specified technology node. Technology can also determine another win condition; several endgame technology nodes are required to develop a colony ship to reach Alpha Centauri.<ref name="ignreview"/>

Within the technology tree are technology nodes relating to government civics and state religions, each with their own pros and cons. The player has the option of selecting which set of government civics or state religions that the player wants their civilization to follow, but not all civics and religions can be encompassed.

Once the player has formally met another civilization, they can perform diplomacy at any time. For example, if the two civilizations are on friendly terms, the player can ask to trade units and/or technology for gold and vice versa, or request opening of national borders in order to freely explore in the other civilization's territories. The player can also use the diplomacy menu to request help in a war against a third civilization, or formally declare war on any civilization in which they engage diplomacy.

Religion plays a much more important role in ''Civilization IV'' than in the previous installments of the franchise. Impacting many of the game's key mechanics like government civics and diplomatic relations, the game's new religious system, according to [[Firaxis Games]] producer Barry Caudill, was added to increase gameplay depth over the entire game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/religion-demystified-in-civilization-iv/1100-6129610/|title=Religion demystified in Civilization IV|first=Andrew|last=Park|date=22 July 2005|website=gamespot.com|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727082624/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/religion-demystified-in-civilization-iv/1100-6129610/|archive-date=27 July 2016}}</ref> The game features seven religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism) that are founded by the first civilization to research a certain technology which varies per religion. Religions can then be spread actively through the production of missionary units or passively through means such as trade routes. Religions may be spread to domestic and foreign cities and there is no limit to the number of religions that can be present in any single city. The player may only choose one state religion at a time and all seven offer identical advantages (e.g. cities with the state religion receive bonuses in happiness, and potentially in production, science, gold and even military unit experience points).

===Customization===
''Civilization IV'' is much more open to modification than its predecessors were. Game data and rules are stored in [[XML]] files, and a [[Software Development Kit]] was released in April 2006 to allow customization of [[game AI]]. The map editor supports [[Python (programming language)|Python]].<ref name="ignfaq"/><ref name="gamespy">{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/civilization-iv/662218p1.html |title=GameSpy: Civilization IV |last=Kosak |first=Dave 'Fargo' |date=27 October 2005 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |pages=1–3 |id=662218 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206061753/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/civilization-iv/662218p1.html |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=24 October 2009}}</ref>

The World Builder allows a player to either design a map from scratch or edit a preloaded template map as a starting point for a new game. The player can modify the map by placing and modifying any number of rivers, landmasses, mountains, resources, units, and cities, as well as their attributes such as Culture generation. The World Builder for ''Civilization IV'' is in-game, in contrast to previous ''Civilization'' games where the Map Editor was an external application.<ref name="firaxisdevblog">{{cite web |url=http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/blog_03.htm |title=Modding Sid Meier's Civilization IV |last=Caudill |first=Barry |date=20 September 2005 |website=[[2K Games]] |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] |access-date=24 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202164144/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/blog_03.htm |archive-date=2 December 2010 }}</ref>

More game attributes are stored in XML files, which can be edited with an external text editor or application. On September 20, 2005, [[Firaxis Games]] [[senior producer]] Barry Caudill stated that "[e]diting these files will allow players to tweak simple game rules and change or add content. For instance, they can add new unit or building types, change the cost of wonders, or add new civilizations. Players can also change the sounds played at certain times or edit the play list for your soundtrack."<ref name="firaxisdevblog"/>

The ''Civilization IV'' [[software development kit]] was released on April 13, 2006, to coincide with the release of the v1.61 patch. The kit allows players to view, modify, or even completely re-write the game's [[Dynamic-link library|DLL]] [[source code]], enabling the modification of the game's [[AI]] and other integral parts of the game that were previously not accessible.<ref name="civdownload">{{cite web |url=http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/downloads.htm |title=Civilization IV Downloads |website=[[2K Games]] |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] |access-date=27 October 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513225741/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/downloads.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 }}</ref>

==Production==
===Production and development===
The [[game engine]] for ''Civilization IV'' was built entirely from scratch,<ref name="gamespotqa">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-sid-meier-chronicles-civilization/1100-6162633/ |title=Q&A: Sid Meier chronicles Civilization |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=1 December 2006 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |id=6162633 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120063646/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162633.html?q=Civilization |archive-date=20 January 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2007 |quote=Firaxis cofounder and legendary game designer reminisces about the evolution of the storied PC series--and whether it will come to portables and next-gen consoles.}}</ref> with some help from NDL's [[Gamebryo]] engine.<ref name="gamebryo"/> This decision resulted in a full [[3D graphics|3D immersion]] of the game, which was the first in the series,<ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/919352-sid-meiers-civilization-iv/index.html |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV |date=25 October 2005 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |id=919352 |access-date=23 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226145048/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/919352-sid-meiers-civilization-iv/index.html |archive-date=26 December 2013 }}</ref> and which allowed easier readability<ref name="ignreview"/> and smoother, more in-depth zooming capabilities.<ref name="gameguru"/> Some of the quotes relating to the technology tree and [[narration]] for the game were provided by [[Leonard Nimoy]].<ref name="ignreview"/><ref name="gamespot"/> [[Music in the Civilization video game series#Civilization IV|The soundtrack for the game]] features compositions of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque origin,<ref name="cavgames"/> and design for the title music was influenced by ''[[The Lion King]]''.<ref name="cavgames"/><ref name="gamespot"/> Composer [[Christopher Tin]] wrote the opening theme song  "[[Baba Yetu]]" (''[[Swahili language|Swahili]]'' "Our Father"), a rendition of the [[Lord's Prayer]], which was performed by [[Stanford University]]'s [[Talisman A Cappella]]. The song, when rereleased, became the first piece of video game music to be nominated for and to win a [[Grammy Award]].<ref name="grammygeek">{{cite web |url=http://www.geek.com/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-1313873/ |title=Civilization IV theme song wins a Grammy |last=Brownlee |first=John |date=14 February 2011 |publisher=[[Geek.com]] |id=1313873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206073251/http://www.geek.com/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-1313873/ |archive-date=6 December 2013 }}</ref>

===Mods===

Sid Meier's ''Civilization IV'' also released some bonus content, mainly to show [[Mod (video gaming)|modding capabilities]]:
* Earth – This is the world map of the game, based on the [[Robinson projection]] of the Earth in order to optimize its size. 124x68 tiles large, it features just 9 ancient civilizations.<ref name="rhye-earth">{{cite web |url=http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Earth-description.php |title=Sid Meier's Civilization Mods by Rhye – Civilization IV official Earth map, based on Robinson projection |author=Rhye |publisher=Rhye's Mods for Civilization |format=PHP |access-date=24 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126182754/http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Earth-description.php |archive-date=26 November 2009 }}</ref>  An 18 civilizations version of this mod was later released which won the first prize at a GameFlood modding contest.<ref name="gameflood">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameflood.com/Index.cfm/Mod/Contest/stgAct/ContestLanding |title=$25,000 Mod & Map Contest |website=GameFlood |format=CFM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422101038/http://www.gameflood.com/Index.cfm/Mod/Contest/stgAct/ContestLanding |archive-date=22 April 2007 |url-status=dead |quote=“No question this is the clear #1. Details are flawless.“ –Graeme Bayless of Kush Games}}</ref>
* Earth Ice Age – This map is set in the world during the last ice age (20,000 years before present), with 11 randomly picked civilizations.<ref name="rhye-iceage">{{cite web |url=http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Ice-Age-description.php |title=Sid Meier's Civilization Mods by Rhye – Civilization IV official Ice Age Earth map |author=Rhye |publisher=Rhye's Mods for Civilization |format=PHP |access-date=24 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129074500/http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Ice-Age-description.php |archive-date=29 November 2009 }}</ref>
* Greek World – To reenact the classical Mediterranean, a special map was made, based on [[Hecataeus of Miletus|Hecataeus]]' map of the world as it was known by the Greeks. Extra detail was also borrowed from other ancient sources such as Homer, Ptolemy, and Herodotus.<ref name="rhye-greek">{{cite web |url=http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Greek-World-description.php |title=Sid Meier's Civilization Mods by Rhye – Civilization IV official Greek World scenario |author=Rhye |publisher=Rhye's Mods for Civilization |format=PHP |access-date=24 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126162552/http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-Greek-World-description.php |archive-date=26 November 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Rhye's and Fall of Civilization]] – This mod changes much of the core settings of the game as an attempt at maintaining a sense of [[historical realism]] into the game. In order to do this, it introduces other features such as plagues and congresses.<ref name="rhye-fallciv">{{cite web |url=http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-RFC-description.php |title=Sid Meier's Civilization Mods by Rhye – Rhye's and Fall of Civilization |author=Rhye |publisher=Rhye's Mods for Civilization |format=PHP |access-date=23 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201143212/http://rhye.civfanatics.net/pages/civ4-RFC-description.php |archive-date=1 December 2013 }}</ref>
* ''Fall from Heaven'' - a total conversion mod that reimagines the game in a dark fantasy setting, built by [[Derek Paxton]]. Its sequel ''Fall from Heaven II'' became the most downloaded mod on CivFanatics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story of Fall From Heaven, the greatest Civilization mod ever|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/civilization-4/mod-fall-from-heaven-rise-of-erebus|access-date=2022-01-22|website=PCGamesN|date=25 September 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Civilization Anonymous===
The game had a viral marketing campaign, revolving around a fictitious self-help organization known as Civilization Anonymous (shortened to CivAnon), the intention being to satirise how addictive the game was. With the slogan "No More Turns", the premise was the following: "Rumors have begun to circulate that the newest edition of the "One More Turn" franchise is on its way. STAY AWAY from this game at all costs. You will likely be powerless to its extreme addictive properties once exposed".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civanon.org/home.shtml|title=Civilization Anonymous|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629224614/http://www.civanon.org/home.shtml|archive-date=2014-06-29}}</ref>  Various characters were created, and their scenarios were included in various trailers showing the "inside [of] a Civanon meeting for [Civilization] addicts,"<ref name="break.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.break.com/video/civilization-5-civanon-trailer-1875762|title=Civilization 5 - Civanon Trailer|work=Break|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421063954/http://www.break.com/video/civilization-5-civanon-trailer-1875762|archive-date=2014-04-21}}</ref> the first of which being played during E3 2005 once an hour at the 2K Games booth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLqW7G8797U|title=Civilization Anonymous|work=YouTube|date=January 2007 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710213710/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLqW7G8797U|archive-date=2014-07-10}}</ref> These "video testimonials of supposedly recovering Civilization addicts"<ref name="books.google.com.au">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uuh7mWLB16MC&q=%22civilization+anonymous+campaign&pg=PA52|title=Ctrl-Alt-Play|isbn=9780786470136|last1=Wysocki|first1=Matthew|date=February 2013|publisher=McFarland }}</ref> also featured cameos by Sid Meier. In addition to this, an "official" website was created by 2K Games with extra content. The Civilization Anonymous campaign was brought back for the following game Civilization V. Break described the campaign as "hilarious",<ref name="break.com"/> while Kotaku described it as a "great promotional campaign" that "comes across as terrifyingly realistic".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5569527/civilization-addiction-is-as-real-as-this-trailer-suggests|title=Civilization Addiction Is As Real As This Trailer Suggests|author=Luke Plunkett|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Kotaku|date=22 June 2010 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421081928/http://kotaku.com/5569527/civilization-addiction-is-as-real-as-this-trailer-suggests|archive-date=2014-04-21}}</ref> Destructoid shared this view, saying the support group campaign is "a clever marketing tool", but wishing it existed as "we all know there really are people who suffer from one-more-turn-itis".<ref name="destructoid.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/join-civanon-potentially-win-big-money-big-prizes-182460.phtml|title=Join CivAnon, potentially win big money, big prizes|date=26 August 2010 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102110136/http://www.destructoid.com/join-civanon-potentially-win-big-money-big-prizes-182460.phtml|archive-date=2015-01-02}}</ref> VantureBeat said the campaign was "incredibly clever and funny", adding "what made it so powerful was not the near-flawless execution and fine detail; it was the fact that it could have been real". 'Ctrl-Alt-Play: Essays on Control in Video Gaming' noted the spoof highlighted the series' "hyper-addictive turn-based gameplay".<ref name="books.google.com.au"/> As part of the Civilization V version of the campaign, 2K Games asked Civilization addicts to submit stories via video in order to win $2,500 and a "framed, limited edition Civilization Anonymous poster signed by Firaxis Games".<ref name="destructoid.com"/> The 2010 version was "updated for modern concerns, like the franchise's broader audience and iPhone editions of the game acting as a gateway drug."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/06/relapse_civilization_anonymous.php|title=GameSetWatch Relapse: Civilization Anonymous Returns|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421051046/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/06/relapse_civilization_anonymous.php|archive-date=2014-04-21}}</ref>

===Release===
''Civilization IV'' was published for the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[Mac OS X]] platforms. [[Aspyr]] released the Mac OS X version on June 26, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-06-26 |title=(BW) Aspyr Media, Inc. Ships Sid Meier's Civilization(R) IV for Intel and PowerPC Macintosh |url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/BW-Aspyr-Media-Inc-Ships-Sid-Meier-s-1894005.php |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Chron |language=en-US}}</ref> and a Mac digital version was released January 2010 on gameagent.com.<ref name="gameagent">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameagent.com/store/aspyr/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.169534700 |title=Product Information: Sid Meier's Civilization® IV (Mac Download) |author=Digital River, Inc. |author-link=Digital River |website=[[Aspyr]] Media, Inc. |publisher=[[Aspyr]]'s [[GameAgent]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225042024/http://www.gameagent.com/store/aspyr/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.169534700 |archive-date=25 December 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=18 June 2012}}</ref> Users who quickly purchased the game after initial release reported having problems playing the game on particular sets of [[Device driver|video drivers]], which were later resolved by a Firaxis [[Patch (computing)|patch]], according to GameSpy.<ref name="gamespy"/> By the end of March 2008, the game sold over three million units.<ref name="take2">{{cite web |url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=16 |title=Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer March 2008 |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] |page=16|format=PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910230229/http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf#page=16 |archive-date=10 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Firaxis Games has also published two [[expansion pack]]s for ''Civilization IV'', entitled ''[[Civilization IV: Warlords]]'' and ''[[Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword]]''. A remake of the original 1994 ''[[Sid Meier's Colonization]]'', rebuilt with ''Civilization IV'''s game engine and titled ''[[Civilization IV: Colonization]]'', was released for Mac and PC as a standalone game and later bundled with the two expansions as ''Civilization IV: The Complete Edition''.<ref name="gameguruce">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameguru.in/strategy/2009/14/sid-meiers-civilization-iv-the-complete-edition-available-across-north-america/ |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV: The Complete Edition available across North America |last=Pandey |first=Rohan |date=14 May 2009 |series=Strategy |publisher=GameGuru |access-date=24 December 2010}}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Sales===
''Civilization IV'' was a commercial success, and sold more than 1 million units by mid-March 2006. By that time, it had held a top-10 position on every weekly computer game sales chart released by [[The NPD Group]] since the game's launch.<ref name=1mil>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061225182524/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146077.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com:80/news/6146077.html | title=Warlords overrun ''Civilization IV'' | date=March 16, 2006 | author=Thorsen, Tor | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=December 25, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> NPD declared ''Civilization IV'' the 11th-best-selling computer game of 2005,<ref name=npd2005>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821024019/http://theesa.com/archives/files/Essential%20Facts%202006.pdf | url=http://theesa.com/archives/files/Essential%20Facts%202006.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2006 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=May 10, 2006 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | archive-date=August 21, 2006 | url-status=dead | page=5 }}</ref> and it rose to ninth place on the firm's annual computer game sales chart for the following year.<ref name=npd2006>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326170659/http://www.theesa.com/archives/files/ESA-EF%202007.pdf | url=http://www.theesa.com/archives/files/ESA-EF%202007.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2007 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=June 2007 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | archive-date=March 26, 2008 | page=6 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It returned to NPD's year-end top 20 in 2008 with a 13th-place finish.<ref name=npd2008>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611165441/http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2009.pdf | url=http://www.theesa.com:80/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2009.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2009 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=2009 | archive-date=June 11, 2009 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | page=8 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> The game also received a "Silver" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (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=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |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=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Take-Two Interactive, sales of ''Civilization IV'' surpassed 3 million units by March 2008.<ref name=3m>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408234728/http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf| url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf | title=Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer | date=March 25, 2008 | publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] | archive-date=April 8, 2008 | page=16 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Critical reviews===
{{Video game reviews
|MC         = 94%<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sid-meiers-civilization-iv/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113124824/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/sid-meiers-civilization-iv |archive-date=13 January 2011 }}</ref>
|GR         = 93%<ref name="gamerankings"/>
|IGN        = 9.4/10<ref name="ignreview"/>
|GSpot      = 9.4/10<ref name="gamespot"/>
|1UP        = A<ref name="1up">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/civilization-iv_2 |title=Civilization IV Review for PC from 1UP.com |last=Lee |first=Garnett |date=26 October 2005 |editor-last=Bhatt |editor-first=Shivam |publisher=[[1UP.com|1UP]] |access-date=24 December 2013 |quote=Not even Alexander had it this great. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224123747/http://www.1up.com/reviews/civilization-iv_2 |archive-date=24 December 2013 }}</ref>
|GSpy       = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="gamespy"/>
|EuroG      = 9/10<ref name="eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_civ4_pc |title=Civilization 4 Review |last=Gillen |first=Kieron |author-link=Kieron Gillen |date=26 October 2005 |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218014203/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61418 |archive-date=18 December 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2009}}</ref>
|GameRev    = A−<ref name="gamerev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/civilization_iv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131224085110/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/civilization_iv |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2013 |title=Civilization IV Review |last=Ferris |first=Duke |date=23 December 2005 |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=24 October 2009 }}</ref>
|CVG        = 9.2<ref name="cvgreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/129756/reviews/civilization-iv-review/ |title=Review: Civilization IV |author=PC Zone staff |author-link=PC Zone |date=24 November 2005 |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] U.S. |pages=1–2 |format=PHP |id=129756 |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227233823/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/129756/reviews/civilization-iv-review/ |archive-date=27 December 2013 }}</ref>
}}

''Civilization IV'' received universal critical acclaim with an aggregate score of 94 on [[Metacritic]]<ref name="metacritic"/> and an aggregate score of 93.36% on [[GameRankings]]. Critics such as GameSpot's Andrew Park praised not only the improvements in the [[turn-based strategy]] genre that carried over from other installments in [[Civilization (series)|the series]], but also noted the game's more advanced [[3D computer graphics]], difficult [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|AI opponents]], and multiplayer feature.<ref name="gamespot"/> ''[[The Times]]'' praised the improvements of the 3D engine used to generally build the game,<ref name="times">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/dvd/article583471.ece |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV |last=Wapshott |first=Tim |date=29 October 2005 |website=Times Online |publisher=[[The Times]] |format=ECE |id=583471 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225081858/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/dvd/article583471.ece |archive-date=February 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |url-access=registration  }}</ref> and GameGuru appreciated its ability to zoom onto individual squares.<ref name="gameguru"/> [[IGN]] commented that the game AI was much more intelligent than it was in ''[[Civilization III]]'',<ref name="ignreview"/> which designer [[Soren Johnson]] stated was thanks to their "secret pre-beta group" testing the game before release.<ref name="cavgames"/> [[Game Revolution]] remarked that "the multiplayer... actually works this time"<ref name="gamerev"/> and GameSpot added that both "single-player and multiplayer options have been improved in ''Civ IV''."<ref name="gamespot"/>

Though it had received mostly positive feedback, video game critics pointed out functions in the game which could have been improved to enhance their enjoyment of the game. Steve Butts from IGN suggested that in-game announcements about enemy achievements should be displayed more prominently, and that the multiplayer feature could have included "an option to save my username and password."<ref name="ignreview"/> Likewise, GameSpy's Dave Kosak pointed out other flaws of the multiplayer [[Interface (computing)|interface]], stating that it "is a little rough in places. The built-in [[Game server browser|server browser]], for instance, will keep jumping around the list as you try to find a game."<ref name="gamespy"/> GameSpot also noted the lack of a "religion-based victory condition", which downplayed the influence that the revamped religion system was supposed to have on the game.<ref name="gamespot"/>

In August 2016, ''Civilization IV'' placed 11th on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|access-date=September 19, 2016|date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[PCGamesN]]'' ranked it as the best game in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-07 |title=The best Civilization games: every Civ game ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/best-civilization-games |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
''Civilization IV'' won multiple awards at various events and gaming websites.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/awards.htm |title=Civilization IV – Awards |publisher=[[2K Games]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905125731/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/awards.htm |archive-date=5 September 2008 }}</ref>
* [[IGN]] chose it as the PC Game of the Year of 2005 over competing titles such as ''[[F.E.A.R. (video game)|F.E.A.R.]]'' and ''[[Guild Wars]]'',<ref name="ignaward1">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/22.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 - PC Game of the Year |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709171418/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/22.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref> as the Best Strategy Game (both for PC<ref name="ignaward2">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/10.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – PC Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203130943/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/10.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and overall<ref name="ignaward3">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/12.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – Overall Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203130131/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/12.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>) and as the Best Online Game of 2005 for PC.<ref name="ignaward4">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/17.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – PC Best Online Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203123028/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/17.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref> In 2006, IGN ranked it first place on The Editor's Top 10 list<ref name="ignaward5">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/05/the-editors-top-10-for-2005 |title=The Editors' Top 10 for 2005 |author=IGN staff |date=4 January 2006 |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211716/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/05/the-editors-top-10-for-2005 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> and second place on the Top 25 PC Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/16/top-25-pc-games-of-all-time?page=3 |title=Top 25 PC Games of All Time |last1=Adams |first1=Dan |last2=Butts |first2=Steve |last3=Onyett |first3=Charles |date=16 March 2007 |publisher=[[IGN]] |page=3 |id=772285 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618145509/http://pc.ign.com/articles/772/772285p3.html |archive-date=18 June 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[GameSpot]] awarded the game Best Strategy Game<ref name="gspotaward1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=11 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=11 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625152504/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=11 |archive-date=25 June 2013|url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and Best PC Game,<ref name="gspotaward2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=8 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Best PC Game |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=8 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506084006/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=8 |archive-date=6 May 2013| url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and it was nominated as an entry for Game of the Year.<ref name="gspotaward3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Game of the Year |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=1 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308094528/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |archive-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[GameSpy]] named the game Game of the Year,<ref name="gspyaward1">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index10.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 - Overall |last=Kosak |first=David 'Fargo' |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721045751/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index10.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> PC Game of the Year,<ref name="gspyaward2">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index12.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 – PC |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730043356/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index12.html |archive-date=30 July 2010 }}</ref> and Best PC [[turn-based strategy|Turn-Based Strategy]] Game of the Year.<ref name="gspyaward3">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 – PC Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121164505/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |archive-date=21 January 2008 }}</ref>
* At the [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Civilization IV'' won "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|Strategy Game of the Year]]", and was nominated for "Computer Game of the Year".<ref name="aias">{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2006 |title=AIAS Annual Awards |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |format=ASP |id=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830140635/http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2006 |archive-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* At the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards]] of 2010, the song "[[Baba Yetu]]", which was written to be the title theme for ''Civilization IV'', won in the [[Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)|Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist]] category, because it had been allowed eligibility in the competition through [[Christopher Tin]]'s inclusion of the song in his subsequent release of his 2009 album [[Calling All Dawns]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geek.com/articles/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-20110214|title=Civilization IV theme song wins a Grammy|last=Brownlee|first=John|publisher=Geek.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217190652/http://www.geek.com/articles/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-20110214|archive-date=2011-02-17}}</ref> This decision made "[[Baba Yetu]]" a landmark in video game history as the first Grammy Award nomination and win for any video game theme.

The editors of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' named ''Civilization IV'' the best computer game of 2005, and presented it with their awards for "Best Strategy Game", "Best AI" and "Best Interface". They wrote, "It's a towering achievement, even for a series as revered as this one. Even for long-time fans of the series, playing ''Civilization IV'' is like discovering it for the very first time."<ref name=cgm15th>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | title=The Best (and Worst) of 2005; The 15th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2006 | issue=184 | pages=42–47 }}</ref> ''Civilization IV'' also won ''[[PC Gamer US]]''{{'}}s "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2005" award. The magazine's Dan Stapleton called it "a huge facelift to a winning formula." It was nominated as ''PC Gamer US''{{'}}s "Best Multiplayer Game 2005" and overall game of the year, but lost in these categories to ''[[Battlefield 2]]''.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2005>{{cite journal |date=March 2006 | title=The Twelfth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=13 | number=3 | pages=33–36, 38, 40–42, 44 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Stapleton, Dan }}</ref>

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |date=25 October 2005 |title = Civilization IV Official Strategy Guide |publisher=BradyGames |isbn=0-7440-0580-9 }}
* {{cite book |title = Sid Meier's Civilization IV manual |language = de |publisher= [[2K Games]]/[[Firaxis Games]] |year=2005 |page=69 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100131062935/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060511212103/http://www.aspyr.com/games.php/mac/civ4/ Official website] (Macintosh version)
* {{moby game|id=/sid-meiers-civilization-iv|name=''Sid Meier's Civilization IV''}}

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