7 articles
4X
4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) is a strategy game subgenre coined by Alan Emrich in 1993 for Master of Orion; archetypal titles include Civilization and Stellaris, with mobile 4X revenue exceeding $7 billion in 2025.
Civilization (series)
Sid Meier's Civilization is a turn-based 4X strategy series created by Sid Meier and Bruce Shelley in 1991 at MicroProse, developed by Firaxis Games under 2K, spanning seven main entries and over 34 million units sold.
Civilization IV
Civilization IV (Civ 4), Firaxis/2K turn-based 4X strategy game released October 25, 2005; first 3D Civilization, Metacritic 94, 3 million copies, expansions Warlords and Beyond the Sword.
Civilization V
Sid Meier's Civilization V is a 2010 Firaxis turn-based 4X strategy game on a hex map with one-unit-per-tile combat and city-states, expanded by Gods & Kings (religion, espionage) and Brave New World (trade, ideologies), Metacritic 90.
Civilization VI
Civilization VI (Sid Meier's Civilization VI) is Firaxis's 2016 turn-based 4X strategy game, sixth in the series since 1991. Known for unstacked cities with 12 district types, adjacency bonuses, eureka boosts, five victory conditions, Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, and over 5.5 million copies sold.
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (SMAC) is Firaxis's 1999 turn-based 4X strategy game published by EA, a Civilization spin-off set on Planet/Chiron with seven ideological factions, social engineering, mindworms, and the Alien Crossfire expansion; PC Gamer rated it 98%.
Stellaris (video game)
Stellaris is a 2016 sci-fi grand strategy and 4X game by Paradox Development Studio; sold 200,000+ units in 24 hours, 1.5 million by 2018, still updated with expansions like Nomads.