Research-backed game lineage

Civilization

Civilization is included in the Series Atlas after independent recognition and an authoritative game-by-game roster audit. Editions, simple ports, DLC, bundles, canceled projects, and cameo-only appearances are excluded.

19 curated games 1991–2025 release span 0 connected branches
Sid Meier's Civilization coverSid Meier's Colonization coverSid Meier's CivNet coverSid Meier's Civilization II coverCivilization: Call to Power cover

Release chronology

The complete path.

Ordered by researched series position, then original release date. Ports, DLC, and duplicate editions are intentionally excluded.

19 games in this lineage

01 Sid Meier's Civilization cover
Mainline1991

Sid Meier's Civilization

Sid Meier's Civilization is a turn-based strategy computer game created by Sid Meier for MicroProse in 1991.The game's objective is "...to build an empire that would stand the test of time". The game begins in 4000 BC, and the players attempt to expand and develop their empires through the ages until modern and near-future times. It is also known simply as Civilization.

Sep 30, 199189/100
02 Sid Meier's Colonization cover
Mainline1994

Sid Meier's Colonization

The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore. The treasures of an entire continent await you. Finally, the much-anticipated follow-up to Civilization is here! Sid Meier's Colonization takes you into the Colonial Era to discover, explore and colonize vast territories that promise both danger and reward. Play one of four colonial powers as you set sail to discover the New World. Explore new lands and strategically plant your first colony. Direct its growth, manage its resources and establish lucrative trade routes. Balance economics, political and military strategy to create your own powerful nation. But beware of your enemies! Angry natives and rival powers can encroach upon your territory. You'll have to overcome your foes with superior military strategy and wily diplomacy. Only then can you launch your revolution and declare your independence. Colonization, The newest strategy game from Sid Meier continues the great tradition of Civilization.

May 14, 199485/100
03 Sid Meier's CivNet cover
Remake1995

Sid Meier's CivNet

Sid Meier's CivNet is a remake of the original game with added multiplayer, improved graphics and sound, and Windows 3.1/95 support. Gameplay is almost identical to the original game. There are several methods of multiplayer, including LAN, primitive Internet play, hotseat, modem, and direct serial link.

Dec 31, 199565/100
05 Civilization: Call to Power cover
Mainline1999

Civilization: Call to Power

Civilization: Call to Power is a turn-based empire building game. The players start a civilization in the stone age and lead them to the future through science, diplomacy, war, trade, and other actions. Eventually, the player will be building colonies in space and cities in the ocean if the player can survive.

Mar 1, 199965/100
06 Civilization II: Test of Time cover
Remake1999

Civilization II: Test of Time

A turn based strategy game where you can win through technological advance, high culture or religion or through destroying your opponents.

Jul 31, 1999
07 Sid Meier's Civilization III cover
Mainline2001

Sid Meier's Civilization III

Civilization III, like the other Civilization games, is based around building an empire, from the ground up, beginning at start of recorded history and continuing beyond the current modern day. The player's civilization is centered around a core of cities that provide the resources necessary to grow the player's cities, construct city improvements, wonders, and units, and advance the player's technological development. The player must balance a good infrastructure, resources, diplomatic and trading skills, technological advancement, city and empire management, culture, and military power to succeed.

Oct 30, 200180/100
08 Sid Meier's Civilization IV cover
Mainline2005

Sid Meier's Civilization IV

Sid Meier and Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding new ways to play and win, new tools to manage and expand your civilization, all-new easy to use mod capabilities and intense multiplayer modes and options

Oct 25, 200590/100
09 Civilization cover
Mainline2006

Civilization

Civilization for N-Gage is a handheld version of a popular strategy series. However, it's not a port of any existing episodes, but a separate entry based on the rules of the second and the third games. Graphically, it's also similar to Civilization II, however the interface was adapted for device' much smaller screen size and resolution, as well as for its cell phone-like keyboard. The goal of the game is the same -- to advance your society from the stone age to the space age, destroying your opponents or signing diplomatic treaties on the way. There are twenty one different civilizations to choose from, and generally the list of features is the same. There's a full Civilopedia and tutorial available as well. Unlike most of other N-Gage titles, there are no multiplayer features in Civilization.

Mar 2, 2006
10 CivCity: Rome cover
Mainline2006

CivCity: Rome

CivCity: Rome, an innovative city builder, invites players to shift focus from building a multi-city empire and zoom-in on the great cities of the Roman Empire, culminating in Rome itself! Through dozens of missions, each offering an array of interesting decisions, players will be charged with building, nurturing and managing one of these great cities as they endeavor to lead the Roman Empire from its humble beginnings to its mighty apogee. Features players have enjoyed in the Civilization series, like research, city happiness, production and culture, can now be managed actively in the wonderfully immersive world of CivCity: Rome.

Jul 24, 200664/100
11 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution cover
Mainline2008

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution

Experience the journey of a civilization's birth to it's rise of power. Learn new technologies, conquer your foes, meet great people, and build Wonders of the World. Play as 16 different civilizations and explore the randomly generated lands to meet new empires and create new relations with them.

Jun 13, 200875/100
12 Sid Meier's Civilization V cover
Mainline2010

Sid Meier's Civilization V

Sid Meier's Civilization V is a turn-based strategy game in which players lead a civilization from the ancient era through the future. Players found cities, research technologies, build improvements, train military units, and engage in diplomacy with AI or human opponents. Victory can be achieved through domination, science, culture, diplomacy, or by having the highest score when time runs out. The game features a hex-based tile system, city-states as minor factions, and ranged combat that prevents unit stacking on a single tile.

Sep 21, 201086/100
13 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2 cover
Mainline2014

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2

The sequel to one of the most successful strategy games on mobile is here! Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution 2 challenges players to build a glorious empire that will stand the test of time. This is the first game in the Civilization catalog to be developed and available exclusively for mobile devices. Civilization Revolution 2 offers mobile strategy fans a brand new 3D presentation and more tactical depth than ever before! Find out if you have what it takes to rule the world!

Jul 1, 201470/100
14 Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth cover
Mainline2014

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth

Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award-winning Civilization series. Set in the future, global events have destabilized the world leading to a collapse of modern society, a new world order and an uncertain future for humanity. As the human race struggles to recover, the re-developed nations focus their resources on deep space travel to chart a new beginning for mankind. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, you will write the next chapter for humanity as you lead your people into a new frontier and create a new civilization in space. Explore and colonize an alien planet, research new technologies, amass mighty armies, build incredible Wonders and shape the face of your new world. As you embark on your journey you must make critical decisions. From your choice of sponsor and the make-up of your colony, to the ultimate path you choose for your civilization, every decision opens up new possibilities.

Oct 24, 201476/100
15 Sid Meier's Starships cover
Mainline2015

Sid Meier's Starships

Sid Meier’s Starships challenges players to build a planetary federation by exploring the galaxy, expanding its influence and domain, researching futuristic technologies and engaging in deep, turn-based tactical space combat with an armada of uniquely customizable starships. Each new campaign will feature its own distinctive galactic strategy map of worlds with dynamically generated tactical combat missions that will enhance the game’s replay value. In addition, Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth fans who purchase Sid Meier’s Starships will uncover cross-connectivity with the two games such that will enhance and expand the depth of both game experiences.

Mar 12, 201567/100
16 Sid Meier's Civilization VI cover
Mainline2016

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Civilization VI is a 4X turn-based strategy game in which players guide a civilization from its founding as a small settlement through multiple eras of development. Players explore a procedurally generated map, found cities, research technologies, develop culture, engage in diplomacy, and compete against AI or human opponents to achieve victory through military dominance, scientific advancement, cultural influence, religious conversion, or diplomatic consensus. A key design change from its predecessor is the "unstacking" of cities, requiring players to place districts on surrounding tiles rather than stacking all improvements in the city center, making terrain and geography central to strategic planning. The game received two major expansions, Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm, which introduced mechanics like city loyalty, golden/dark ages, climate change, and natural disasters. It was succeeded by Civilization VII in 2025.

Oct 20, 201684/100
17 Sid Meier's Civilization VII cover
Mainline2025

Sid Meier's Civilization VII

Rule as one of many legendary leaders from throughout history. Establish your civilization, construct cities and architectural wonders to expand your territory, conquer or cooperate with rival civilizations in pursuit of prosperity, and explore the far reaches of the unknown world. Will you build an empire that stands the test of time?

Feb 11, 202572/100
19 CivWorld cover
Mainline

CivWorld

A spin-off from Civilization and a massively multiplayer online game with a persistent game world.

Release date TBA

Sources and method

Built from the public record.

Membership is researched from external official and independent sources. Mainline games, direct spin-offs, remakes, remasters, and standalone expansions are included; DLC, simple ports, duplicate editions, compilation-only duplicates, rumors, cancellations, and cameo-only crossovers are excluded.

  1. database Civilization collection — IGDB

    IGDB maintains a distinct collection record for Civilization and supplies the authoritative roster used for membership verification.

  2. reference List of best-selling video game franchises

    The independent catalog recognizes Civilization as a multi-game franchise and supports its inclusion in this major-series research sweep.