civilization

—civilizational, adj.

/siv'euh leuh zay"sheuhn/, n.

1. an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached.

2. those people or nations that have reached such a state.

3. any type of culture, society, etc., of a specific place, time, or group: Greek civilization.

4. the act or process of civilizing or being civilized: Rome's civilization of barbaric tribes was admirable.

5. cultural refinement; refinement of thought and cultural appreciation: The letters of Madame de Sévigné reveal her wit and civilization.

6. cities or populated areas in general, as opposed to unpopulated or wilderness areas: The plane crashed in the jungle, hundreds of miles from civilization.

7. modern comforts and conveniences, as made possible by science and technology: After a week in the woods, without television or even running water, the campers looked forward to civilization again.

[1765-75; < F civilisation; see CIVILIZE, -ATION]

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(as used in expressions)

Andean civilization

Indus civilization

Mesoamerican civilization

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▪ computer game series

      computer game series created in 1991 by Sid Meier and published by his U.S.-based MicroProse computer software company.

      Meier had experience creating flight simulator games prior to his work in the “God game” genre, where players have total control over multiple facets of the game. Meier created Railroad Tycoon first and built upon the success of its more involved game-play, expanding on the format in Civilization. In this latter game, which involves a single player competing against the game software, the player first selects a civilization and then develops it, while sharing the virtual world and its resources with a number of computer-controlled civilizations. Players can control diplomatic relations and trade with other civilizations, oversee the economy of their own civilizations, and use their military forces aggressively or as a deterrent. There are a number of ways to win the game, including militarily, through diplomacy, or with a space-race victory.

      Subsequent related games have created one of the most successful series in computer gaming history. Sequels to the game or add-on packs to a specific version of the game have improved the game's graphics; given the player more choices of leaders, civilizations, and in-game units; and expanded upon the number of ways to win the game and interact with competitors. Fan sites and official forums provide a venue for amateur “modders” to modify the game's units and scenarios and to share modifications with other players to further enhance the quality, variety, and performance of the game. Civilization set the standard for all subsequent strategy-based games and “God games”, two overlapping genres that comprised the most popular style of video game in the early 2000s.

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