Sid Meier’s Civilization is one of the most iconic strategy game franchises, but many players wonder why the legendary game designer’s name appears in the title. Unlike most games, which simply use their brand name, Civilization prominently credits its creator, Sid Meier.
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Over time, his name became synonymous with deep, strategic gameplay, but how did this first come to be? The thing is, the Civilization games weren’t the first ones to have Meier’s name on them, so the tradition of using the name of the creator spans further back than a single franchise. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Is It Called Sid Meier’s Civilization?
The inclusion of Sid Meier’s name in the title of Civilization was a strategic decision by MicroProse to leverage his growing reputation as a game designer. This practice began with Sid Meier’s Pirates! in 1987, aiming to attract fans of Meier’s earlier works.
The idea was further encouraged by actor Robin Williams, who suggested promoting Meier as the star to boost the game’s appeal. This branding approach proved successful, leading to Meier’s name becoming synonymous with quality strategy games.
As such, we can see three main reasons that intertwine to have the games be called what they are:
- Marketing Strategy – MicroProse, the company Meier co-founded, realized that putting his name on a game lent it credibility and helped it sell better.
- Brand Recognition – Sid Meier had built a reputation for creating deep, engaging strategy and simulation games. Having his name in the title signaled to players that Civilization was a well-designed, high-quality game.
- Company Tradition – MicroProse developed a history of attaching Meier’s name to games that he worked on or heavily influenced, even when other developers contributed. The tradition continued even after Meier left MicroProse and formed Firaxis Games, which continued to develop the Civilization series.
While Sid Meier didn’t program every aspect of Civilization, he played a pivotal role in its design, ensuring the mix of turn-based strategy, empire-building, and historical progression that made it iconic. His name remains on the series to this day, even as newer developers lead its design.
Is Sid Meier Still Making The Civilization Games?
Sid Meier’s direct involvement in the development of the current Civilization series appears to be minimal. While his name remains prominently associated with the series, it seems that he does not actively participate in the game’s design or development.
The development of Civilization 7, the latest game in the franchise, has been led by Firaxis Games, with other key figures steering its direction. Sid Meier continues to be recognized as the original creator of the series, and his legacy influences its ongoing evolution.
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