User Guide

We have greatly enhanced Civilization IV’s multiplayer capaci-
ty by adding many new gameplay options and vastly improv-
ing game stability and connectivity. We have programmed the
game using XML (Extensible Markup Language) and Python
(a scripting language), which allows for much easier game
modification.
The best way to find out what we’ve done to improve
Civilization IV is, of course, to play it. But if you dislike sur-
prises, you can check out the “Comparisons with Previous
Civilization Games” section of the Civilization IV web site, at
www.CivIV.com
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual will tell you everything you need to know in
order to enjoy Civilization IV.The manual is divided into four
sections: In the Beginning, The Basics, Advanced Rules, and
Appendices, Charts, and Tables. The section you’re reading
now, “In the Beginning,” introduces the game to you. “The
Basics” contains everything you need to know to manage and
mold your civilization during the first millennia or so.
“Advanced Rules” contains additional game rules, while the
“Appendix” contains, well, the appendix.
Perhaps the best way to learn how to play Civilization IV is to
go through the in-game tutorial, read “The Basics,” and then
start playing.You can check out the “Advanced Rules” section
later on, if you find that you need more information. Of course
we know that many of you will dive into the game head-first,
counting on your native intelligence and gaming experience to
guide you, referring to this manual only as a last, desperate
resort. Hey, go for it! It’s your game, after all. But be warned:
the leaders of the other civilizations are tricky – especially at
higher difficulties – and they know all the rules.
THE CIVILOPEDIA
The Civilopedia is accessible by pressing [F12] or by clicking
the Help icon at the top right of the main screen.The
“Civilopedia” is an incredibly helpful in-game resource. It con-
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tains much of the information found in this manual, but organ-
ized for easy reference.The Civilopedia contains entries on vir-
tually every item and concept in the game, and each entry con-
tains hyperlinks to other related entries, which allows you to
quickly navigate to the precise info you’re looking for.
The Civilopedia is accessible from the “Main Screen” or via
“hotkey” (see later in this manual). Use it early and often – it
will quickly make you a Civilization IV master!
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.2GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor or equivalent
256MB RAM
64 MB Video Card w/ Hardware T&L (GeForce 2/Radeon
7500 or better) DirectX7 compatible sound card
CD-ROM Drive
1.7GB of free hard drive space
DirectX9.0c (included)
RECOMMENDED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
1.8GHz Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon processor or equiva-
lent/better
512 MB RAM
128 MB Video Card w/ DirectX 8 support (pixel and vertex
shaders)
DirectX7 compatible sound card
CD-ROM Drive
1.7GB of free hard drive space
DirectX9.0c (included)
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS
Windows 2000 (plus Service Pack 1 or higher), Windows XP
(Home or Professional) (plus Service Pack 1 or higher)
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