Sid Meier's Civilization III: Conquests

What New Content Does This Expansion Introduce?

This expansion pack dramatically increases the variety available to players looking to guide their civilization from antiquity to the modern age. The total number of playable cultures is boosted to thirty-one with the addition of eight new civilizations, including the Byzantines, Dutch, Hittites, Incans, Mayans, Portuguese, and Sumerians.

Expanded Civilization Customization

To support these new cultures and refine existing ones, two new special traits have been implemented: seafaring and agricultural. These traits are leveraged by the new civilizations—for example, the Sumerians are designated as Scientific and Agricultural—while some original civilizations have been updated to better reflect historical strengths.

Furthermore, the political landscape is broadened with the introduction of two new forms of government: Feudalism and Fascism. Players can also strive to build new Wonders of the World, such as the Statue of Zeus and the Mausoleum of Mausollos.

New Environmental and Resource Layers

The world map itself receives additions that alter strategic considerations for city placement and resource management.

New Resources and Terrain

Four new bonus resources have been added, two of which offer food bonuses to previously less desirable terrain types. These include Oases in deserts, tropical fruit in jungles, sugar on plains and hills, and tobacco on grasslands and hills.

Two new terrain types are also present: marshes and volcanoes. Cities cannot be founded on marshes, and citizens working a marsh tile risk disease. Volcanoes present a dynamic hazard, capable of erupting periodically to destroy adjacent improvements, cities, and units.

The Focus on Historical Scenarios

The centerpiece of this expansion is the inclusion of several new historical scenarios. Unlike the main, long-form "epic" game, these scenarios are designed to be shorter and focus intensely on specific periods of history. This offers players alternative, time-constrained strategic challenges, often optimized for multiplayer engagement.

Game Details

• Game Type: Expansion Pack (Requires base game)
• Release Year: 2003
• Platform: PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Genres: Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)

This content is generally regarded as a substantial enhancement to the original game, adding significant replayability through its diverse new cultures and focused scenario modes.