Editing 4X (section)

==Definition==
[[File:moo2GalaxyAndSystem400.png|thumb|right|4X computer games such as ''[[Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares|Master of Orion II]]'' let empires explore the map, expanding by founding new colonies and exploiting their resources. The game can be won by becoming an elected leader of the galaxy, exterminating all opponents, or eliminating the Antarans.]]

The term "4X" originates from a 1993 preview of ''[[Master of Orion]]'' in ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' by game writer [[Alan Emrich]] where he rated the game "XXXX" as a pun on the XXX rating for pornography. The four Xs were an abbreviation for "E'''X'''plore, E'''X'''pand, E'''X'''ploit and E'''X'''terminate".<ref name="Emrich1993"><!--
-->{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Emrich |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=110 |title=MicroProse's Strategic Space Opera is Rated XXXX |work=Computer Gaming World (Issue #110) |date=September 1993 |pages=92–93 |access-date=2014-07-30 |archive-date=2014-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716220247/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=110 |url-status=live }}<!--
--></ref> Emrich wrote, "Quadruple-X - I give MOO a XXXX rating because it features the essential four X's of any good strategic conquest game: EXplore, EXpand, EXploit and EXterminate. In other words, players must rise from humble beginnings, finding their way around the map while building up the largest, most efficient empire possible. Naturally, the other players will be trying to do the same, therefore their extermination becomes a paramount concern. A classic situation, indeed, and when the various parts are properly designed, other X’s seem to follow. Words like EXcite, EXperiment and EXcuses (to one’s significant others) must be added to a gamer’s X-Rating list."<ref name="Emricharticle">{{ cite web| url= https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_110/page/n91/mode/2up?view=theater | author = Alan Emrich| title = MicroProse' Strategic Space Opera is Rated XXXX! A Revealing Sneak Preview | publisher = Computer Gaming World (Issue #110) | date = September 1993}}</ref>

By February 1994, another author in the magazine said that ''Command Adventures: Starship'' "only pays lip service to the four Xs",<ref name="cirulis199402">{{Cite magazine |last=Cirulis |first=Martin E. |date=February 1994 |title=Adventures in Cynicism |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=110, 112 |access-date=2017-11-09 |archive-date=2017-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003001602/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |url-status=live }}</ref> and other game commentators adopted the "4X" label to describe similar games.<ref name="Habib2006"/>

The 4X game genre has come to be defined as having the four following [[gameplay]] conventions:<ref name="Habib2006"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/818084/page_2.html |title=Civilization IV: Warlords Guide |website=IGN |first=J. "PyroFalkon" |last=Habib |date=2006-08-17 |access-date=2014-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312080743/http://uk.guides.ign.com/guides/818084/page_2.html |archive-date=2012-03-12 }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="IroncladGames"><!--
-->{{cite web |work = Sins of a Solar Empire|title = Gameplay |publisher=Ironclad Games |url=http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/gameplay.aspx?c=1 |quote=Sins of a Solar Empire is a "RT4X" game, blending the epic strategy and empire management of the 4X genre with the fast-paced and tactical elements of a real-time strategy title. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217064820/http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com/gameplay.aspx?c=1 |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |url-status=live }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="MobyGames2008"><!--
-->{{cite web
 |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/4x-games
 |title=Moby Games' 4x games Group Description
 |publisher=[[MobyGames]]
 |access-date=2008-06-23
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618074603/http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/4x-games
 |archive-date=18 June 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}<!--
--></ref>
* ''Explore'' means players send scouts across a [[Level (video games)|map]] to reveal surrounding territories.
* ''Expand'' means players claim new territory by creating new settlements, or sometimes by extending the influence of existing settlements.
* ''Exploit'' means players gather and use resources in areas they control, and improve the efficiency of that usage.
* ''Exterminate'' means attacking and eliminating rival players. Since in some games all territory is eventually claimed, eliminating a rival's presence may be the only way to achieve further expansion.

These gameplay elements may happen in separate phases of gameplay, or may overlap with each other over varying lengths of game time depending on [[game design]].<ref name="MOO2Retro" /> For example, the [[space Empires|''Space Empires'' series]] and ''[[Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar]]'' have a long expansion phase, because players must make large investments in research to explore and expand into all areas.<ref name="Malfador1998"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://www.malfador.com/se3.html |publisher=Malfador |title=''Space Empires III'' Manual v1.10 |date=1998-01-21 |access-date=2008-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613041957/http://www.malfador.com/se3.html |archive-date=13 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="Butts2007"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763792p1.html |first=Steve |last=Butts |title=Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar Review |website=IGN |date=2007-02-12 |access-date=2008-07-26 |archive-date=2008-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918213058/http://pc.ign.com/articles/763/763792p1.html |url-status=dead }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="Lackey2007"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/galacticcivilizations2darkavatar/review.html |first=Jeff |last=Lackey |website=GameSpot |title=Review – Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar |date=2007-02-28 |access-date=2008-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905054807/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/galacticcivilizations2darkavatar/review.html |archive-date=5 September 2008 |url-status=live }}<!--
--></ref>

Emrich later expanded his concept for designing ''[[Master of Orion III|Master of Orion 3]]'' with a fifth X, e'''X'''perience, an aspect that came with the subject matter of the game.<ref name="GameSpy.com 2009">{{cite web | title=Interview: Master of Orion III – A Chat with the Developers | website=GameSpy.com | date=14 January 2009 | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february02/moo3// | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114121107/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february02/moo3// | archive-date=14 January 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=8 February 2022}}</ref>

===Modern definition===

In modern-day usage, 4X games are different from other strategy games<ref name="SOSEdistinct" /><ref name="MobyGames4xDef" /><ref name="GameDaily2008" /> such as'' [[Command & Conquer]]''<ref name="MobyGames4xDef" /><ref><!--
-->{{cite web
 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/sinsofasolarempire/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews
 |title=Sins of a Solar Empire for PC Review – GameSpot
 |website=GameSpot
 |date=2008-02-13
 |first=Jason
 |last=Ocampo
 |access-date=2014-05-05
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110223547/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamespot.com%2Fsins-of-a-solar-empire%2Freviews%2Fsins-of-a-solar-empire-review-6185991%2F
 |archive-date=2013-01-10
 |url-status=live
}}<!--
--></ref> by their greater complexity and scale,<ref name="SOSA1upinterview" /> and their complex use of diplomacy.<ref name="SOSEdistinct"><!--
-->{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157333 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101165613/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157333 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-01 |website=1UP.com |title=Sins of a Solar Empire Preview |first=Sean |last=Molloy |access-date=2008-06-23 }}<!--
--></ref>

Reviewers have also said that 4X games feature a range of diplomatic options,<ref name="DeafGamers2000"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://www.deafgamers.com/sudg.htm |publisher=Deaf Gamers |title=Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies |year=2000 |access-date=2014-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205064049/http://www.deafgamers.com/sudg.htm |archive-date=2012-02-05 }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="TacticularCancer2006"><!--
-->{{cite web |url=http://www.tacticularcancer.com/content.php?id=29 |author=YourConscience |date=2006-12-16 |publisher=Tacticular Cancer |title=GalCiv2, SotS, SEV: a 4X Comparison |access-date=2008-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211111056/http://www.tacticularcancer.com/content.php?id=29 |archive-date=2008-12-11 |url-status=dead }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="BlogWiredSoaSReview" /><ref name="VanDyk2008"><!--
-->{{cite web|url=http://www.gameshark.com/pc/reviews/2919/Sins-of-a-Solar-Empire-Review.htm |first=Dave |last=VanDyk |publisher=GameShark |title=Sins of a Solar Empire Review |date=2008-02-14 |access-date=2008-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516220856/http://www.gameshark.com/pc/reviews/2919/Sins-of-a-Solar-Empire-Review.htm |archive-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}<!--
--></ref> and that they are well known for their large detailed empires and complex gameplay.<ref name="BlogWiredSoaSReview"><!--
-->{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/03/review-sins-of/ |title=Review: Sins of a Solar Empire Sinfully Good |date=2008-03-17 |first=Earnest |last=Cavalli |magazine=Wired |access-date=2008-06-23 |archive-date=2009-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504082320/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/03/review-sins-of/ |url-status=live }}<!--
--></ref><ref name="galcivGOTY"><!--
-->{{cite web
 |year=2006
 |first=Sal
 |last=Accardo
 |access-date=2008-03-31
 |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2006/pc/index6.html
 |publisher=GameSpy
 |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2006 6. Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408074701/http://goty.gamespy.com/2006/pc/index6.html
 |archive-date=8 April 2008
 |url-status=dead
}}<!--
--></ref> In particular, 4X games offer detailed control over an empire's economy, while other computer strategy games simplify this in favor of combat-focused gameplay.<ref name="SOSA1upinterview" />