Sid Meier’s Civilization 3

Arriving more than five years after the release of Civilization II, Sid Meier's Civilization III introduced a number of new gameplay mechanics that remain features of Civilization games to this day. Strategically important resources, new civilization traits, and additional forms of government afforded leaders new ways to play, as did powerful civilization-specific units such as Egypt's War Chariots and France's Musketeers.

Assuming the role of one of 16 leaders from throughout history, players guided their chosen civilizations from 4000 BC into the near future, attempting to complete one of several paths to victory before the game ends in the year 2050. As in previous entries in the series, winning by being the first civilization to build a spaceship that reaches Alpha Centauri was an option, as was conquering all other civilizations.

Victory conditions introduced in Civilization III included using the new Culture system to assimilate other civilizations, employing Diplomacy to become the head of the United Nations, and controlling two thirds of the world's land and population. If none of these conditions were satisfied before the game ended, the player with the most points won. 

To succeed, players needed to balance technological advancement, access to important resources, and the desire for culture with the ongoing challenge of maintaining a good infrastructure and a military to defend it. In the years following the release of Civilization III, still more strategic considerations and ways to play were introduced in two expansions.