The citizens of GOG are in an uproar due to the lack of Civilization 1, 2, 2 ToT!

Ahem! It was quite real in Civ1, I assure you. They did fix it in a later patch, but it was an actual bug.

Edit: Nevermind, I stand correct - it *IS* actually an urban legend later canonized by Firaxis.

30 years of basically just reskinning the game with minor alterations.

Like @JakobFel already said above, Alpha Centauri has a story, a really good one. It starts with the introduction video, then it is unfolded via text as you play. The lore is great, the datalinks too. The characters are as interesting as they can be; you'll like some, you'll hate others, but every faction plays differently. Gameplaywise expect some getting-used-to time -- the manual is a good way to get informed of the hows & the whys.

Apart from that, there are also three official novels published (Centauri Dawn, Dragon Sun & Twilight of the Mind) as well as a graphic novel (Power of the Mindworms) and some free stories as well:

[url=https://civilization.fandom.com/wiki/Journey_to_Centauri_(SMAC)]Journey to Centauri[/url]
[url=https://civilization.fandom.com/wiki/Centauri:_Arrival_(SMAC)]Centauri: Arrival[/url]

Well, I played CIV 1 - 5 and Test of Time, and I can tell you that the differences between the games are quite noticeable and not minor.

Civ 1 loved that game. Remember ST Format had a demo which only went to 0AD i replayed and replayed it until i could get the full game and wow one of the best games of that generation.

I have since played all the games although each is brtilliant in their own way (although not as keen on 6) but they all did not have the wow factor the first one had for me and the first will always have a special place in my heart.

That's a bit unfair. They added something critical in each sequel which changed how the game was played, and not mentioning new AI in every game and new engine fromscratch, and at the same time maintaining the core.

-From CIV to CIV 2 the added the Scenarios and the configuration of the games, the core/complexity of classic Civilization for the next games, firepower and hit points for combat (a new layer for the randomization)

-CIV 2 to CIV 3 they added the cultural borders, national identity, different ways to win, great leaders critical for combat. polishing in the commerce. Now the products are real things and can be traded

-CIV 3 to CIV 4. Policies, economic types, real impact of the religion. Landscape improvements change over time.

-CIV 4 to CIV 5 . From squared tiles to hexagon, and only one unit per tile. Now the warfare works more ike a Panzer General, artillery reaching more than one tile etc. All is less abstracted. minor nations/state cities

-CIV 6. The cities now expand more than a tile. Further estrategy is needed in advace to control the grow of the cities.

There are much more things, they are only a few examples. But every feature changes dramatically how the games work. And every game is worth playing for its own merits. Every fan has its own favourite

Greetings

That same video says in the comment section that it wasn't a bug, according to Sid Meier.

A lot of good advice, thanks!

I guess it is worth trying at least once.
I always assumed Alpha Centauri was similar to Civ, but I suppose not. Will try it out.

Actually, in the video Meier says that he doesn't quite remember.

And your assumption was (and is) correct. However, there is a question if AC is a Civ spin-off. On one hand, flight to Alpha Centaury is a goal in the Civ series, so you can assume that AC happens several years after you achieve technological victory in Civ. But on the other hand, officially AC was never stated to be a Civ spin-off, unlike Beyond Earth or Starships

For me Alpha Centauri is the best Civilization

It can be seen as a member/sequel of the series. The core gameplay is practically the same. It is basically the Civilization formula in a different planet but the technology/philosophies you discover are contextualized SciFi.
Playing the game you do not "reinvent the wheel" indeed. Nor in core gameplay nor technologically. Familiar enough, But all feels different, obviously

I'd love to see Civ 2 here. But also V, Beyond Earth or VI of course.

Lol, I had not checked the latest news on the topic... guess that's the official version. Firaxis have certainly capitalized on the myth then :D.

guess it's true i can vague remember i play Civilization long ago with that damn palace building.

still i think ->Call to power<- was the better game and still is being a eco terrorist with those eco bombs and spy satellites
feels like that game kind of predicted the future of humanity

also wanna point out that civilization kind of become a pile of nasty after Civ V. if they ever recover what it used to be

I would buy Civ II if it was released digitally. My disk crapped out long, long ago.

hmm if i recall copywrites expire after 25 years (this depands on the country)
the real problem is getting it to work on a modern system