They’ll allow you to determine how humanity evolves on this new world and unlock Affinity-exclusive units, while other competing colonies might go in another direction entirely. Because of the non-linear choices you and your competitors will make based on your needs and overall strategy, and the intentional lack of technology trading, no faction will be able to unlock all the technologies in a single playthrough, and by the end of a game each faction should look and function very differently.įurthering the differences that will develop between future humanity’s factions are several philosophical “Affinities” (Supremacy, Wealth, Purity, and Harmony). He points to options like advanced AI and cybernetics, or genetic manipulation that allows you to meld human and alien DNA. “We’re huge fans of sci-fi from every part of pop culture and history, so we went to that and imagined a web where you start in the middle, surrounded by techs that are relatively recognizable based on conventional technology, and you go outward into any frontier you can imagine,” says McDonough. The biggest, McDonough believes, is the switch from the traditional, linear tech tree that drives other Civilization games forward through established history to a more open-ended “Tech web” system.īy the end of a game, each faction should look and function very differently.

Though it’s built on the hex-based engine and structure of Civilization 5, Beyond Earth is not an expansion pack, but a full-fledged game that’s designed to be familiar to fans but also make fundamental changes to the way you play and win. This game is not an Alpha Centauri sequel or prequel. While some old hands at Firaxis have worked on both games, Alpha Centauri designer Brian Reynolds has no involvement in Beyond Earth. It’s its own idea, its own experience, based on the idea of the future of mankind on an alien world,” he explains.

“This game is not an Alpha Centauri sequel or prequel. Firaxis regained the rights to Civilization when it was bought by 2K, but the rights to the Alpha Centauri name remain at EA.) But David McDonough, Beyond Earth’s co-lead designer, says this isn’t a retread of that classic. (Fun fact: Alpha Centauri wasn’t called Civilization because Firaxis and publisher EA didn’t own the rights to the name. If you’ve played 1999’s best 4X strategy game, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, that idea will sound familiar.

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