Editing Civilization: Call to Power

{{Short description|1999 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Civilization: Call to Power
| image = Civilization Call to Power cover.jpg
| developer = [[Activision]]{{efn|[[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] port developed by Westlake Interactive;<ref name="macrelease">{{Cite web |date=February 29, 2000 |title=Civilization: Call to Power |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/158220/21civilization.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Macworld |language=en |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119170640/https://www.macworld.com/article/158220/21civilization.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Linux]] port developed by [[Loki Software]].<ref name="linux2">{{Cite web |date=May 15, 1999 |title=Archive |url=http://www.lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?051999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011201235040/http://www.lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?051999 |archive-date=December 1, 2001 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[Loki Software]]}}</ref> [[BeOS]] port developed by Wildcard Design.<ref name="beos">{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2000 |title=Wildcard Design News |url=http://www.wcdesign.com/news/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816193903/http://www.wcdesign.com/news/ |archive-date=August 16, 2000 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Wildcard Design}}</ref>}}
| publisher = Activision{{efn|[[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]] port published by [[MacSoft]].<ref name="macrelease"/> [[BeOS]] port published by Wildcard Design.<ref name="beos"/>}}
| director = Cecilia Barajas
| producer = Mark Lamia
| designer = William Westwater
| programmer = Steve Mariotti
| artist = Rick Glenn
| composer = 
| engine = 
| series = ''[[Civilization (series)|Civilization]]''
| released = '''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|UK|April 2, 1999<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 1999 |title=PC software new releases |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/752401858 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |pages=6 |quote=''Civilization: Call to Power'' Out Now}}</ref>|NA|April 5, 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/civilization-call-to-power-ships/1100-2451509/|title=Civilization: Call to Power Ships [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"]|last=Mullen|first=Michael|date=April 5, 1999|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000619015133/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_04/05_pc_civ/index.html|archive-date=June 19, 2000|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>}}'''Linux'''<br />May 15, 1999<ref name="linux2"/><br />'''Mac OS'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|January 17, 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Macintosh Games |url=http://www.ebworld.com/ebx/categories/homepages/macintosh.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000622040633/http://www.ebworld.com/ebx/categories/homepages/macintosh.asp |archive-date=June 22, 2000 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[EB Games]]}}</ref>|EU|2002}}'''BeOS'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|March 22, 2000<ref name="beos"/>}}
| genre = [[Turn-based strategy]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[BeOS]]
}}

'''''Civilization: Call to Power''''' is a [[turn-based strategy game]] developed by [[Activision]] for [[Microsoft Windows]] as an attempt to capitalize on the success of the ''[[Civilization (series)|Civilization]]'' computer games by [[Sid Meier]]. It was ported to [[Linux]] by [[Loki Software]], as well as [[BeOS]] by Wildcard Design, becoming one of the very few commercial games for that operating system.

A sequel, ''[[Call to Power II]]'', was released 18 months after the original. The sequel could not have "Civilization" in its title because Activision did not have a license for the "Civilization" name for a second game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/call-to-power-ii-review/1900-2656251/|title=Call to Power II Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]|last=Geryk|first=Bruce|date=November 20, 2000|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211213643/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/calltopower2/review.html|archive-date=December 11, 2004|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
<!-- The claims in the Gameplay section can be verify from within the game and thus do not need inline citations. -->

===Timeline and epochs===
One of the most noticeable differences from the previous ''Civilization'' games is that the timeline of the game does not end in the 21st century, but rather goes to the year 3000.

There are five epochs in this game: [[Ancient history|Ancient Age]], [[Renaissance]], Modern Age, Genetic Age, and Diamond Age. ''Call to Power'' adds a more thorough [[space colonization]] as well as [[sea colonization]], with the appropriate technological advances (available in the Genetic Age).

===Terrain features===
Similar to ''[[Civilization II]]'', the game uses an isometric view, although each tile is actually two separate tiles: the [[Outer space|space]] level on top of a "terrestrial" level (thus, this game has a z-coordinate to represent position). Players can toggle between "Earth view" and "space view". All land and naval units are exclusively terrestrial, although most land units can be launched into space inside a cargo pod by a rail launcher in cities or via a space plane.

Space fighters and space planes can freely travel in space and in the atmosphere. While the SWARM warrior can survive in space as well as the earth, it cannot launch itself into space. There are also some units that exist in space exclusively (i.e. cannot make a [[re-entry]] into the atmosphere) such as the Star Cruiser, the Phantom and the Space Bomber.

Space produces no resources, as it is a vast void. However, once a space colony is built, players can build food pods and assembly bays to produce resources for the colony.

"Water tiles" are also divided into several types. After [[submarine]]s are available, the type of tile in oceans can be seen (e.g. [[continental shelf]], deep sea trench, [[rift]], etc.). Once the technology for sea colonies is discovered, undersea tunnels can be built to link to other sea colonies and dry land. Fisheries and undersea mines can also be built to produce resources.

===Pollution===
In ''Call to Power'', pollution is produced in meaningful quantities after the Industrial Revolution advance. Cities that produce a lot of pollution will start to produce "dead tiles" within their city radius. Such tiles produce no resources. If pollution is left unchecked, eventually the game will give a warning that global disasters will occur. Disasters include change in climate, [[ozone]] deterioration, and [[global warming]]. In the case of global warming, the game informs the player that "ice caps have melted" and sea levels have risen. Tiles affected are turned into either coast or shallow water, and cities on tiles that become shallow water or coast are destroyed.

The destruction of the [[ozone layer]] causes a large number of land tiles to become dead tiles. If a nation is appropriately technologically advanced, then that nation can repair dead tiles, but only at a significant cost of industrial production. The "Gaia Controller" wonder removes all pollution in the game but can be built only in the Diamond Age.

Pollution is exacerbated by several city facilities such as [[Factory|factories]] and [[Oil refinery|oil refineries]]. On the flip side, some facilities such as recycling plants and [[nuclear reactor]]s will reduce the production of pollution. Additionally, certain events such as space launches and use of [[nuclear weapon]]s will result in one-time additions of pollution each time that they occur.

An initial setup feature is game play without pollution problems.

===Happiness===
While playing the game, the happiness level of the citizens must be maintained. If a city is far away from the capital, is overcrowded, polluted, overworked, starved or underpaid, the happiness level will drop with riots and revolts occurring. Cities also experience unhappiness during wartime, especially if they have just been conquered by another empire. Many [[terrorist]] units can decrease the happiness of an enemy city. For example, if a city is "infected", it will lose both population and happiness. If the happiness' level goes under 75, then the city is in danger of rioting. If a city riots, it does not produce any work during that turn. If happiness in cities continues to decline, revolution becomes a possibility. If that happens, the city's inhabitants become "barbarians", or change nationality to another country if another country has the Egalitarian Act Wonder. However, if the happiness of a city reaches very high levels, it "celebrates". Some buildings can increase happiness (e.g. temples, cathedrals, body transplants), and wonders can increase happiness (e.g. Immunity Chip, [[Ramayana]]).

===Wonders===
These can be built by any civilization who has acquired the technology to do so. They take a longer time to build than ordinary buildings or units of that age, but have a greater effect, and a cinematic is shown when the player builds one. The wonders usually affect the civilization as a whole (with exceptions, such as [[Galileo Galilei|Galileo's Telescope]] which effectively doubles scientific production in the city which it is built), and can only be built by one civilization. As with previous games, wonders can go obsolete with technological advances; if someone researches "Age of Reason", the [[Stonehenge]] wonder no longer has any benefits.  Generally, wonders of the future have a greater effect than wonders of the past. If a city containing a wonder is taken by another player, then ownership of the wonder and its benefits go to the conqueror.

===Victory conditions===
Apart from conquering all opponents, players can achieve victory by completing the Alien Life Project, which is triggered by the "[[wormhole]] sensor" wonder. After a wormhole probe is sent through the wormhole, an alien life lab and a series of upgrades must be built to achieve victory. A player can also win by converting all enemy cities on the map. The final option is to get the highest score by the year 3,000.

==Release==
''Call to Power'' was published by Activision for Windows in 1999.

A Linux port was announced on January 26, 1999 by [[Loki Software]].<ref name=linux>{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/990126/ca_loki_en_1.html|title=Loki To Launch Activision's Civilization: Call To Power for Linux|website=[[Business Wire]]|publisher=[[Berkshire Hathaway]]|via=[[Yahoo! Finance|Yahoo.com]]|date=January 26, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990423053057/http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/990126/ca_loki_en_1.html|archive-date=April 23, 1999|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref> Pre-orders were collected by Loki and via GameCellar.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} The port was set to ship in the week of April 26, but the date was postponed by a week to include bug fixes by Activision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linuxtoday.com/developer/1999042600210NWGM|title=Where to Buy Civilization: Call to Power for Linux|website=Linux Today|publisher=TechnologyAdvice|date=April 26, 1999|access-date=September 13, 2019|archive-date=October 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001183848/https://www.linuxtoday.com/developer/1999042600210NWGM|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 15, Loki announced it had begun shipping. It was distributed in Europe via [[SUSE S.A.|SUSE]] by [[Media Markt]] and other retailers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?051999|title=May 1999 News|website=[[Loki Software]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010611032811/http://www.lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?051999|archive-date=June 11, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> It marked the availability of the first major commercial video game for the Linux platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opensource.com/life/10/5/brief-history-commercial-gaming-linux|title=A brief history of commercial gaming on Linux (and how it's all about to change)|last=Kepley|first=Travis|date=May 13, 2010|website=Opensource.com|publisher=[[Red Hat]]}}</ref> In January 2000, the game was also released for Macintosh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerinfo.net/game/civilization-call-to-power/|title=Civilization: Call to Power|website=Gamer Info}}</ref> A BeOS port is also known to exist.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 71%<ref name=grpc>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/131222-civilization-call-to-power/index.html|title=Civilization: Call to Power for PC|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520172336/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/131222-civilization-call-to-power/index.html|archive-date=May 20, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|2.5|5}} (Mac)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22792&tab=review|title=Civilization: Call to Power (Mac) - Review|last=Savignano|first=Lisa Karen|website=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115061755/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22792&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| CNG = 6/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2635,00.html|title=Civilization: Call to Power (PC)|last=Cirulis|first=Martin E.|date=April 6, 1999|website=Gamecenter|publisher=[[CNET]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815224822/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2635,00.html|archive-date=August 15, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| CGSP = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/019/082/call_to_power_review.html|title=Civilization: Call to Power|last=Chick|first=Tom|date=April 27, 1999|website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030625011434/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/019/082/call_to_power_review.html|archive-date=June 25, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_180.pdf|title=Zero-Sum Game (''Civilization: Call to Power'' Review)|last=Jones|first=George|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=180|date=July 1999|pages=145–46|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418103308/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_180.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Edge = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/edgeuk070/page/n75/mode/2up|title=Civilization: Call to Power (PC)|author=Edge staff|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=70|date=April 1999|page=84|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| EPD = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=195|title=Civilization: Call to Power (PC)|last=Grant|first=Jules|date=April 18, 1999|website=[[EP Daily|The Electric Playground]]|publisher=Greedy Productions, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622192215/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=195|archive-date=June 22, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/716.shtml|title=Civilization: Call to Power Review for PC on GamePro.com|last=Brenesal|first=Barry|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]]|year=1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041201124757/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/716.shtml|archive-date=December 1, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot = 6.7/10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/civilization-call-to-power-review/1900-2538412/|title=Civilization: Call to Power Review [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"]|last=Broady|first=Vince|date=April 16, 1999|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050126100304/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civilizationcalltopower/review.html|archive-date=January 26, 2005|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| IGN = 4.8/10 (PC & Mac)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/04/21/civilization-call-to-power-2|title=Civilization: Call to Power (PC)|last=Ward|first=Trent C.|date=April 20, 1999|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/07/civilization-call-to-power|title=Civilization: Call to Power (Mac)|last=Chen|first=Jeffrey|date=June 7, 2002|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510144407/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/06/07/civilization-call-to-power|url-status=live}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=ngen>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_55/page/n95/mode/2up|title=Civilization: Call to Power (PC)|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=55|date=July 1999|page=95|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| PCA = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PCXL11Jul1999/page/n85/mode/2up|title=Civilization: Call to Power|last=Burns|first=Enid|magazine=[[PC Accelerator]]|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=11|date=July 1999|page=85|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 65%<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/pcgamer199907/page/n101/mode/2up|title=Civilization: Call to Power|last=McDonald|first=T. Liam|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=6|issue=7|date=July 1999|pages=98–99|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991113115148/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1349.html|archive-date=November 13, 1999|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref>
}}

The PC version received average reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]].<ref name=grpc/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said that the former version was "not without its good points, but in the end it's difficult to enjoy. Gamers hungry for a worthy sequel to ''[[Civilization II|Civ II]]'' will find it in ''[[Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri]]''."<ref name=ngen/>

The game was the 16th-best-selling computer game of the first half of 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/04/and-the-winners-are-3|title=And the Winners Are...|author=IGN staff|date=August 3, 1999|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000305180633/http://pc.ign.com/news/9273.html|archive-date=March 5, 2000|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> According to [[PC Data]], a firm that tracked sales in the U.S., it sold 293,046 units by September 2000.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_194.pdf|title=The Numbers Racket|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=194|date=September 2000|page=55|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120621/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_194.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The game was a nominee for ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s "Most Disappointing Game of the Year" award, which went to ''[[Ultima IX: Ascension]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p5_01.html|title=The Best & Worst of 1999 (Most Disappointing Game of the Year)|author=GameSpot staff|website=GameSpot|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816190614/http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p5_01.html|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=June 11, 2021}}</ref>

{{clear}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/civilization-call-to-power}}

{{Civilization}}

[[Category:1999 video games]]
[[Category:4X video games]]
[[Category:Activision games]]
[[Category:BeOS games]]
[[Category:Civilization (series)|Call to Power]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Loki Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Turn-based strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Mark Morgan]]
[[Category:Windows games]]