SMAC/X is... Genre Defining

[Lord Nword]

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050415/hong_pfv.htm

(First game mentioned under "other")

Which I got from

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/15/2030254&tid=4&tid=10

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri defines the 4X turn-based strategy genre for me. Like all 4X games, it takes forever to play - a problem that I think stems from so few people working in the genre. Unlike most 4X games, the faction leaders are strong characters and the planet has an interesting backstory. I would some day like to see 4X games with more of a story/plot, deeper dialogue, and more dramatic interaction, without getting in the way of the gameplay.
- Brandon Van Every, Indie Game Design

Nothing ground breaking, but definitely nice...

Civilization didn't get mentioned
(but then again GTA didn't either... or even Pikmin )

[Frankychan]

SMAC/X has something that few games nowadays have, clashing of ideologies. Furthermore, you can PICK which faction's ideology you support. The diplomacy is by far the BEST I have ever experienced.

I thought CIV 3 would have it because it came out after SMAC, but it sucked. I like how in SMAC you can tell other faction leaders to basically screw themselves, then tell them...ok ok, I was just kidding here you go.

That, and you can negotiate on a deeper level to have them do what you want. SMAC/X surpasses the test of time.