| Avalon
Hill |
Avalon Hill's Civilization and Advanced Civilization are strategic board games that the Microprose game was based on. There is also a computer version of Advanced Civilization that was released in 1995.
If you are unfamiliar with the game, here's a brief overview written by Derek McKay:
Civilization is multi-player boardgame where the map portrays the lands about the Mediterranean Sea. Each player starts with a single population token on the board and, over the course of the game, will add and expand to make, wishfully, the greatest civilization.
As each nation grows, adding more and more population to the board, players can build cities in regions they control, and embark on trade with other players for any of 11 commodities such as iron, grain and bronze.
Along with trade come eight calamities as well, such as volcanoes, famine and civil war, which destroy population and cities.
With their acquired wealth, empires can buy civilization advances for themselves. There are 16 of these ranging from lowly pottery and mysticism up to the lofty democracy and philosophy. These advances allow one to move up the archeaological succession table to, ultimately, victory.
Civilization was once described as "not a wargame, but a game of crisis managment and ecconomical planning". However, the rules do not preclude the use of aggression against ones neighbours and one may embark on military expeditions if one feels the need. However, the rules accurately ensure that any civilization that wages war for hundreds of years will not prosper like a peaceful one.
In summary, games typically take 4-6 hours to play, covering the ages from 8000 BC to 250 BC and may be played by 2-7 players. There are no dice and the manual has 2 simplified versions for the novice or person interested in a shorter game.
This is a supplment that may be used with both Civilization and Advanced Civilization. Basically, it extends the map west of Italy to cover Gaul, parts of Iberia, Britain and Northwest Africa.
This supplement is only suitable for Civilization (not advanced, which comes with extra cards anyway). It adds an additional 7 types of commodities and is useful for larger groups of players playing Civilization. Examples of commodities include timber, silver and ivory.
Although its name suggests a more complicated set of rules and a more difficult game, this is certainly not the case. In fact, in some areas, the game is simpler than the standard version. I personally feel that "Improved Civilization" would be a better title.
Advanced Civilization has a revised rulebook, including a number of articles on playing, strategies, optional rules etc.. It also has 8 new civilization cards taking the total to 24 and has the additional cards as featured in the Trade Card Expansion plus 4 new calamities.
The game also has revised rules for victory, making it possible to play shorter games. It also allows for 8 player games. Typically, games take 6-10 hours.
It should be noted that you need to own Civilization to use the Advanced Civilization game.
If you know of any other information that should be here, please let me know.