Editing Civilization IV (section)

== Reception ==
===Sales===
''Civilization IV'' was a commercial success, and sold more than 1 million units by mid-March 2006. By that time, it had held a top-10 position on every weekly computer game sales chart released by [[The NPD Group]] since the game's launch.<ref name=1mil>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061225182524/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6146077.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com:80/news/6146077.html | title=Warlords overrun ''Civilization IV'' | date=March 16, 2006 | author=Thorsen, Tor | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=December 25, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> NPD declared ''Civilization IV'' the 11th-best-selling computer game of 2005,<ref name=npd2005>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821024019/http://theesa.com/archives/files/Essential%20Facts%202006.pdf | url=http://theesa.com/archives/files/Essential%20Facts%202006.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2006 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=May 10, 2006 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | archive-date=August 21, 2006 | url-status=dead | page=5 }}</ref> and it rose to ninth place on the firm's annual computer game sales chart for the following year.<ref name=npd2006>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326170659/http://www.theesa.com/archives/files/ESA-EF%202007.pdf | url=http://www.theesa.com/archives/files/ESA-EF%202007.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2007 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=June 2007 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | archive-date=March 26, 2008 | page=6 | url-status=dead }}</ref> It returned to NPD's year-end top 20 in 2008 with a 13th-place finish.<ref name=npd2008>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611165441/http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2009.pdf | url=http://www.theesa.com:80/facts/pdfs/ESA_EF_2009.pdf | title=Essential Facts about the Computer and Video Game Industry; 2009 Sales, Demographic and Usage Data | date=2009 | archive-date=June 11, 2009 | publisher=[[Entertainment Software Association]] | page=8 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2019 }}</ref> The game also received a "Silver" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=silverelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3942 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Take-Two Interactive, sales of ''Civilization IV'' surpassed 3 million units by March 2008.<ref name=3m>{{cite report | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408234728/http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf| url=http://taketwovalue.com/documents/TTWO_Value.pdf | title=Recommendation of the Board of Directors to Reject Electronic Arts Inc.'s Tender Offer | date=March 25, 2008 | publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] | archive-date=April 8, 2008 | page=16 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Critical reviews===
{{Video game reviews
|MC         = 94%<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sid-meiers-civilization-iv/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113124824/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/sid-meiers-civilization-iv |archive-date=13 January 2011 }}</ref>
|GR         = 93%<ref name="gamerankings"/>
|IGN        = 9.4/10<ref name="ignreview"/>
|GSpot      = 9.4/10<ref name="gamespot"/>
|1UP        = A<ref name="1up">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/civilization-iv_2 |title=Civilization IV Review for PC from 1UP.com |last=Lee |first=Garnett |date=26 October 2005 |editor-last=Bhatt |editor-first=Shivam |publisher=[[1UP.com|1UP]] |access-date=24 December 2013 |quote=Not even Alexander had it this great. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224123747/http://www.1up.com/reviews/civilization-iv_2 |archive-date=24 December 2013 }}</ref>
|GSpy       = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="gamespy"/>
|EuroG      = 9/10<ref name="eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_civ4_pc |title=Civilization 4 Review |last=Gillen |first=Kieron |author-link=Kieron Gillen |date=26 October 2005 |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218014203/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61418 |archive-date=18 December 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=24 October 2009}}</ref>
|GameRev    = A−<ref name="gamerev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/civilization_iv |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131224085110/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/civilization_iv |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2013 |title=Civilization IV Review |last=Ferris |first=Duke |date=23 December 2005 |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=24 October 2009 }}</ref>
|CVG        = 9.2<ref name="cvgreview">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/129756/reviews/civilization-iv-review/ |title=Review: Civilization IV |author=PC Zone staff |author-link=PC Zone |date=24 November 2005 |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] U.S. |pages=1–2 |format=PHP |id=129756 |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227233823/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/129756/reviews/civilization-iv-review/ |archive-date=27 December 2013 }}</ref>
}}

''Civilization IV'' received universal critical acclaim with an aggregate score of 94 on [[Metacritic]]<ref name="metacritic"/> and an aggregate score of 93.36% on [[GameRankings]]. Critics such as GameSpot's Andrew Park praised not only the improvements in the [[turn-based strategy]] genre that carried over from other installments in [[Civilization (series)|the series]], but also noted the game's more advanced [[3D computer graphics]], difficult [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|AI opponents]], and multiplayer feature.<ref name="gamespot"/> ''[[The Times]]'' praised the improvements of the 3D engine used to generally build the game,<ref name="times">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/dvd/article583471.ece |title=Sid Meier's Civilization IV |last=Wapshott |first=Tim |date=29 October 2005 |website=Times Online |publisher=[[The Times]] |format=ECE |id=583471 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225081858/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/dvd/article583471.ece |archive-date=February 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |url-access=registration  }}</ref> and GameGuru appreciated its ability to zoom onto individual squares.<ref name="gameguru"/> [[IGN]] commented that the game AI was much more intelligent than it was in ''[[Civilization III]]'',<ref name="ignreview"/> which designer [[Soren Johnson]] stated was thanks to their "secret pre-beta group" testing the game before release.<ref name="cavgames"/> [[Game Revolution]] remarked that "the multiplayer... actually works this time"<ref name="gamerev"/> and GameSpot added that both "single-player and multiplayer options have been improved in ''Civ IV''."<ref name="gamespot"/>

Though it had received mostly positive feedback, video game critics pointed out functions in the game which could have been improved to enhance their enjoyment of the game. Steve Butts from IGN suggested that in-game announcements about enemy achievements should be displayed more prominently, and that the multiplayer feature could have included "an option to save my username and password."<ref name="ignreview"/> Likewise, GameSpy's Dave Kosak pointed out other flaws of the multiplayer [[Interface (computing)|interface]], stating that it "is a little rough in places. The built-in [[Game server browser|server browser]], for instance, will keep jumping around the list as you try to find a game."<ref name="gamespy"/> GameSpot also noted the lack of a "religion-based victory condition", which downplayed the influence that the revamped religion system was supposed to have on the game.<ref name="gamespot"/>

In August 2016, ''Civilization IV'' placed 11th on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|access-date=September 19, 2016|date=August 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2021, ''[[PCGamesN]]'' ranked it as the best game in the series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-07 |title=The best Civilization games: every Civ game ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/best-civilization-games |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
''Civilization IV'' won multiple awards at various events and gaming websites.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/awards.htm |title=Civilization IV – Awards |publisher=[[2K Games]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905125731/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/awards.htm |archive-date=5 September 2008 }}</ref>
* [[IGN]] chose it as the PC Game of the Year of 2005 over competing titles such as ''[[F.E.A.R. (video game)|F.E.A.R.]]'' and ''[[Guild Wars]]'',<ref name="ignaward1">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/22.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 - PC Game of the Year |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709171418/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/22.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref> as the Best Strategy Game (both for PC<ref name="ignaward2">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/10.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – PC Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203130943/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/10.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and overall<ref name="ignaward3">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/12.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – Overall Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203130131/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/12.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>) and as the Best Online Game of 2005 for PC.<ref name="ignaward4">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/17.html |title=IGN.com presents The Best of 2005 – PC Best Online Game |publisher=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203123028/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/pc/17.html |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010 }}</ref> In 2006, IGN ranked it first place on The Editor's Top 10 list<ref name="ignaward5">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/05/the-editors-top-10-for-2005 |title=The Editors' Top 10 for 2005 |author=IGN staff |date=4 January 2006 |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222211716/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/05/the-editors-top-10-for-2005 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> and second place on the Top 25 PC Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/16/top-25-pc-games-of-all-time?page=3 |title=Top 25 PC Games of All Time |last1=Adams |first1=Dan |last2=Butts |first2=Steve |last3=Onyett |first3=Charles |date=16 March 2007 |publisher=[[IGN]] |page=3 |id=772285 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618145509/http://pc.ign.com/articles/772/772285p3.html |archive-date=18 June 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[GameSpot]] awarded the game Best Strategy Game<ref name="gspotaward1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=11 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Best Strategy Game |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=11 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625152504/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=11 |archive-date=25 June 2013|url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and Best PC Game,<ref name="gspotaward2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=8 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Best PC Game |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=8 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506084006/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=8 |archive-date=6 May 2013| url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref> and it was nominated as an entry for Game of the Year.<ref name="gspotaward3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 – Game of the Year |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |page=1 |format=PHP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308094528/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |archive-date=8 March 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* [[GameSpy]] named the game Game of the Year,<ref name="gspyaward1">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index10.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 - Overall |last=Kosak |first=David 'Fargo' |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721045751/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index10.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> PC Game of the Year,<ref name="gspyaward2">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index12.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 – PC |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730043356/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index12.html |archive-date=30 July 2010 }}</ref> and Best PC [[turn-based strategy|Turn-Based Strategy]] Game of the Year.<ref name="gspyaward3">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005 – PC Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=23 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121164505/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |archive-date=21 January 2008 }}</ref>
* At the [[9th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Civilization IV'' won "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|Strategy Game of the Year]]", and was nominated for "Computer Game of the Year".<ref name="aias">{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2006 |title=AIAS Annual Awards |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |format=ASP |id=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830140635/http://www.interactive.org/awards/annual_awards.asp?idAward=2006 |archive-date=30 August 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2010}}</ref>
* At the [[53rd Annual Grammy Awards]] of 2010, the song "[[Baba Yetu]]", which was written to be the title theme for ''Civilization IV'', won in the [[Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)|Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist]] category, because it had been allowed eligibility in the competition through [[Christopher Tin]]'s inclusion of the song in his subsequent release of his 2009 album [[Calling All Dawns]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geek.com/articles/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-20110214|title=Civilization IV theme song wins a Grammy|last=Brownlee|first=John|publisher=Geek.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217190652/http://www.geek.com/articles/games/civilization-iv-theme-song-wins-a-grammy-20110214|archive-date=2011-02-17}}</ref> This decision made "[[Baba Yetu]]" a landmark in video game history as the first Grammy Award nomination and win for any video game theme.

The editors of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' named ''Civilization IV'' the best computer game of 2005, and presented it with their awards for "Best Strategy Game", "Best AI" and "Best Interface". They wrote, "It's a towering achievement, even for a series as revered as this one. Even for long-time fans of the series, playing ''Civilization IV'' is like discovering it for the very first time."<ref name=cgm15th>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | title=The Best (and Worst) of 2005; The 15th Annual ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=March 2006 | issue=184 | pages=42–47 }}</ref> ''Civilization IV'' also won ''[[PC Gamer US]]''{{'}}s "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game 2005" award. The magazine's Dan Stapleton called it "a huge facelift to a winning formula." It was nominated as ''PC Gamer US''{{'}}s "Best Multiplayer Game 2005" and overall game of the year, but lost in these categories to ''[[Battlefield 2]]''.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2005>{{cite journal |date=March 2006 | title=The Twelfth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=13 | number=3 | pages=33–36, 38, 40–42, 44 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Stapleton, Dan }}</ref>