Should the Civilization video games be fun—or real?

Since 1991 , players of the Civilization video game franchise have grown empires from scratch.

The challenge for gamemakers in every iteration of the game is simple, yet ambitious: to simulate how civilizations grow, change, and react.

The franchise sold 70 million copies by June 2024 , and players have collectively spent over a billion hours in the game.

The ease with which some authoritarian policies can be implemented without consideration of backlash is uncomfortable.

A democracy is just as capable of winning the game as a fascist or communist government; it all depends on how you use it.

Advancing through the detailed tech tree, from basic agriculture through nuclear weaponry, has been the most fun part of the game through all five iterations.

Some versions of the game take the tech tree beyond the present reality.

But the future didn't make the cut in Civilization VII .

The game doesn't even make it to the present.

It's often clear halfway through the game who the victor will be, turning the game into a tedious time suck until the eventuality is confirmed.