How to win in Civilization IV – an ultimate guide to the strategy game. Game Speed overview – by John Sinitsky

Introduction

Sid Meier’s Civilization was THE computer game when it was introduced in 1994 and was first real turn-based strategy ever. The latest PC playable version of Civilization is "Civilization IV", launched in October 2005.

3 years is an eternity for a computer game– but not for Civilization series game – even today it is a very playable and enjoyable game. With game victory options described in this article, and most the pre-game selections (choosing the map, the climate and sea level, World size, Difficulty Levels) covered, we conclude our overview discussing various game speed options.

Game Speed

Along with the game level, you have to choose “Game Speed". Game Speed determines how many turns it takes to construct units, buildings and wonders, how many it takes to research technologies, build improvements and so forth. These settings let you experience the full epic sweep of time inherent in Civilization IV while allowing you to customize the game based on how much time you have available and other preferences. There are three game speeds to choose from:

• Epic
• Normal
• Quick

Of course, Game Speed does not have any effect upon the amount of time you have to complete a turn – you always have as much time as you want in a single-player game.

Strategy

Every game speed has it’s unique advantages and disadvantages that should be exploited to win the game.

• Epic: It takes a longer number of turns to construct, research, and improve. The game will be longer and winning by points is a possibility. Keep track of your opponents and try to stay ahead. The conquest on this level is easier as well – especially on larger maps.

• Normal: It takes an average number of turns to construct, research, and improve. This game speed is recommended for Civilizatoin IV newcomers – even if you have played the previous Civ’s.

• Quick: It takes fewer turns to construct, research, and improve. At this level you can (and should) reach space in early 20th century at the latest – if you think about winning of course…

Summary

This article concludes the pre-game choices overview of Civilization IV. The only thing that is left before starting the game is to pick your civilization. But that is a serious choice as well – which deserves a separate series of articles.

This post is part of the series: Civilization IV – Guide To Sid Meier’s Civilization IV PC Game

1. Mastering Civilization IV – Victory Conditions
2. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game Part I – Selecting a Map (A)
3. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part II – Selecting a Map (B)
4. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part III – Climate and Sea Level
5. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part IV – Map Size
6. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part V – Difficulty Levels (A)
7. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part VI – Difficulty Levels (B)
8. Mastering Civilization IV – Starting the Game – Part VII – Game Speed
9. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the civilization – Overview
10. Mastering Civilization IV – The American Empire in Civilization IV
11. Mastering Civilization IV – The Arabian Empire in Civilization IV
12. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Player Nation – Aztec Empire
13. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing As The Chinese Empire – Choosing Your Playable Nation
14. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Egyptian Empire in Civ IV
15. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Your Nation – English Empire
16. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – French Empire
17. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – German Empire
18. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing A Playable Nation – Greek Empire
19. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Incan Empire
20. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the nation – Indian Empire
21. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play in Civ IV – Japanese Empire
22. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Which Nation to Play – Malinese Empire
23. Mastering Civilization IV – Mongolian Empire in Civ IV – Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV PC Game
24. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing Playable Nations – Roman Empire
25. Mastering Civilization IV – Choosing the Nation to Play in Civ IV – Russian Empire
26. Mastering Civilization IV – Playing as the Persian Empire in Civ IV – Player’s Guide to Choosing their Nation in Civ IV
27. Mastering Civilization IV – Selecting Playable Nations in Civ IV – Spanish Empire