Freeciv

Freeciv is a multiplayer, turn-based strategy computer game, inspired by the commercial Civilization series, which is loosely based on the board game of the same name. It is free software under the GNU General Public License and developed collaboratively -- code, graphics, sounds etc. have been contributed by many people from around the world.

Players take the role of a tribe leader in 4000 BCE and have to guide their people through the centuries. Over time, new technologies are discovered, which allow the construction of new city buildings and the deployment of new units (mostly military). Players can wage war on one another or form complex diplomatic relationships.

The game ends when one civilization has eradicated all others, when one people has accomplished the goal of space colonization, or at a certain deadline. Unless only one civilization remains, the winner is the player with the highest score. Points are awarded for the size of a civilization, its wealth, and cultural and scientific advances.

Freeciv is quite configurable, so it can be played in Civilization I, Civilization II or Freeciv mode, or in a custom mode. Graphics and sounds can be replaced; there are both isometric and two-dimensional graphics packages (tilesets).

Freeciv is a multiplayer game for use on TCP/IP networks. Players have to connect to a server, which can be run locally but is usually remote. One or several players act as game administrator and can configure the rules. Typically modified rules are:

• Number of players required before the game can be started
• Speed of technological development
• Whether there should be computer controlled players
• Whether (computer controlled) barbarians should invade player settlements
• At what distance cities can be built
• How continents and islands are supposed to be distributed over the map

While the game is turn based, players move simultaneously. Computer players move separately. As of version 1.14.0, AI players cannot engage in diplomatic relationships with human players, which means that when a player is disconnected from the game, the AI player that replaces him can either be ignored or fought.

It runs on Unix variants with the X Window System and some other platforms, including Windows.

External link

• Freeciv homepage (http://www.freeciv.org)