Name: Galactic Civilizations (windows version)
Creators: Stardock Corporation
Official Page: http://www.galciv.com/
Type: Space-based 4X strategy
Release Date:Q1 2003
Pricing: $39.95
More Info:Gamer's FAQ, GalCiv User Manual (still in development)
Forums: Apolyton Galactic Civilizations forum, Official forum
Creator's Description: Galactic Civilizations is a space-based 4X strategy game in which players take the role of leader of humanity. Up to 5 other computer-controlled races, each with their own in-depth background and motives will be vying for galactic supremacy.

While the game is a turn-based strategy game, it has been designed with maximum replayability in mind, with each game feeling like its very own epic story. The depth of GalCiv is a key factor in making the game universe seem alive with the competing alien players acting intelligently based on their culture and the dictates of gameplay.

Military tactics, trade, diplomacy, industrial strength, and more are all viable paths to ultimate victory, but a different game can dramatically emphasize different potential options. For instance, the supreme economic power can have a smaller military force because ones potential foes may think twice about losing their largest trading partner. Other potential enemies may think twice before attacking someone who has secured treaties of alliance with other powers with a strong military base.

GalCiv also gets a big push from gamers who enjoy seeing strategy games that take into account realistic elements of military history and empire building. For those who study politics and warfare at the macro scale, features such as lend-lease, advanced diplomacy, destabilization, espionage, and manufacturing might are just as important to a civilization's success as the tactical application of military force

The original Galactic Civilizations for OS/2 won Game of the Year from the Internet PC World Charts (www.worldcharts.com) in 1995 despite being on OS/2 (beating out DOOM and Masters of Orion).