SID MEIER'S ALPHA CENTAURI



Condition of Item
The cd-rom, jewel case and case covers are all in very good condition. The disc has been tested working.



Game Description

After the 20th century, humankind reaches its hand out across the stars. Seeking to escape the overcrowded chaos of Earth, the United Nations builds a single seedship, the UNS Unity, and sends her on a mission towards the Alpha Centauri star system. After a long journey in cryogenic suspension, the Unity reaches Alpha Centauri where the Captain is killed under mysterious circumstances. Suspecting the motives of one another, the officers and the crew split into 7 factions, each lead with a distinct ideology and motives that they seek to build the planet in their image...

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is best compared to Civilization II, but features many distinct differences in gameplay and thinking. In Civilization, the objective was to evolve a society from primitive tribes, whereas Alpha Centauri starts with the landing of colony pods on a barren planet with society becoming fractured. Each faction (aka nation) receives it's own share of the Unity's resources and tech base. For the basics, bases produce nutrients, materials and energy. Nutrients are required to feed to population, Materials are used in production and energy represents the commerce effect which can be traded to players diplomatically or spent on improvements. The 7 factions each have their own agenda, which is determined in large part by the Social Engineering. This enables a faction to customize its values, earning a bonus for what it considers important and a penalty for what it doesn't. Social Engineering system are discovered through research, the same as other improvements, such as structures and units.

Research is divided into 4 types of technologies, which form an intertwining tree of dependencies. They are: Conquer (direct military applications), Explore (indirect technologies for units and bases), Build (direct infrastructure application) and Discovery (Science for the sake of science, indirect applications). Because of the separation, factions can focus on what they hope the intended result of their science will be, and can be changed at any time. To explore the planet, units are needed. Any unit can be customized out of known technologies; consisting of a chassis type, reactor, weapon, armour and special abilities. Each of these components has a different expense, with untested technologies having additional overhead (prototype).

Finally, Alpha Centauri is not a desolate star system. There is life on the planet, in the form of alien fungus that litters the ground and strange creatures such as mindworms. Initially hostile to all factions, this form of life holds its own secrets and effects on the world at large.



COMPATIBILITY
This game was designed for Windows 95/98 and will probably also work on a later OS, but you need to check on the game forums to find out for certain BEFORE you purchase this game. Unfortunately I'm not a compatibility expert, so I won't be able to help you.
This is a genuine PAL region PC game. I never sell fakes or copies. It will work on any computer in the world with the right set-up.
Refunds will not be given for compatibility problems. It is down to the buyer to ensure that this game will work on their console.



POSTING YOUR ITEM
I visit the Post Office 6 days a week (barring Bank Holidays). As long as you pay for your item before 9am your item will be posted on the same day. Free UK postage is by 2nd class post.
Europe and the Rest of the World postage is by Airmail.
2nd class post and Airmail post do not include a tracking number.
I always obtain proof of postage in the unlikely event that your package goes missing.
Free UK delivery usually takes 1-3 working days and International delivery usually takes 3-7 working days, barring mail strikes, closed airports, delays in customs etc.



COMBINED POST
I always charge postage & packing at cost, so buy as many items as you want and then ask for a combined invoice. Send me a message if you have problems doing this and I’ll sort out the problem listings for you.



TRACKING NUMBER
If you want a tracking number then please select:
UK: 2nd Class Signed For or Special Delivery
Overseas: Internationally Signed For postage



CONDITION
New - The item is new and unused.
Mint - The item looks like new (I'm reluctant to describe anything as mint)
Very Good - The item may have 1 or more minor faults e.g. creased pages/case covers, scuffed case, or minor marks on the disc
Good - The item will have several minor faults e.g. creased pages/case covers, small cracks in the case, or minor marks/scratches on the disc
Acceptable - The case may be broken, the manual or case cover may have rips or stains and the disc will be covered in light scratches.