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Difference between revisions of "Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization"

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{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|title        = Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
 
|title        = Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
Line 11: Line 10:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 22, 2008}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 22, 2008}}
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|December, 2009}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|January 1, 2010}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Turn-based }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | 4X, TBS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Historical }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Civilization, Colonization }}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|sid-meiers-civilization-iv-colonization|83}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|sid-meier-s-civilization-iv-colonization|77}}
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20101202151639/http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/colonization/
 
|steam appid  = 16810
 
|steam appid  = 16810
|gogcom page  = sid_meiers_civilization_iv_the_complete_edition
+
|gogcom id    = 1760534591
|strategywiki = Civilization IV: Colonization
+
|hltb        = 8507
 +
|lutris      = sid-meiers-civilization-iv-colonization
 +
|strategywiki = Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
 +
|mobygames    = 36443
 
|wikipedia    = Civilization IV: Colonization
 
|wikipedia    = Civilization IV: Colonization
 
|winehq      = 8319
 
|winehq      = 8319
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
{{Series|Civilization}}
 
  
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
{{ii}} Remake of [[Sid Meier's Colonization]].
+
|introduction      = '''''Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization'''''' is a remake of the 1994 [[Glossary:4X|4X]] [[Glossary:TBS|turn-based strategy]] game ''[[Sid Meier's Colonization]]'' using the same engine as the 2005 game ''[[Sid Meier's Civilization IV]]''. Despite the name, it is a standalone release and does not require ''Civilization IV'' itself to play{{Note|However, the GOG.com release installs both alongside each other automatically.}}.
{{ii}} If you own retail version, you have to request multiplayer patch.<ref name="multiplayer patch request">[http://support.2k.com/requests/new multiplayer patch request]</ref>
+
 
{{ii}} Steam version online multiplayer has been transitioned to Steamworks.<ref name="Steamworks">[http://2kgam.es/2KOnlineMigration 2K Online Server Migration from GameSpy Technology – 2K Support]</ref>
+
|release history  = The game received a single [[#Patches|patch]] which fixed bugs and removed the DRM for the retail version.
 +
 
 +
In 2014, the Steam release was updated to replace the [[GameSpy]] multiplayer infrastructure with that of [[Store:Steam|Steamworks]] and removed LAN, but it can be downgraded to the older version through a beta branch to re-enable compatibility with retail and [[Store:GOG.com|GOG.com]] releases.
 +
 
 +
|current state    = The game has no notable issues with running on modern systems as of August 2023.
 +
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 
{{mm}} [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/downloads.htm Official Downloads page] (patches, SDK, etc.)
 
{{mm}} [http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/downloads.htm Official Downloads page] (patches, SDK, etc.)
{{GOG.com links|sid_meiers_civilization_iv_the_complete_edition|sid_meiers_civilization_series|for game series}}
+
{{mm}} [https://civilization.fandom.com/wiki/Civilization_Games_Wiki Civilization Wiki] - A detailed wiki for all Civilization games and their spin offs
{{mm}} [http://steamcommunity.com/app/3900/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
+
{{mm}} [https://www.civfanatics.com/civ4col/ Civilization Fanatics' Civilization IV Colonization section]
{{mm}} [http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=221 Steam Users' Forums for game series]
+
{{mm}} [https://forums.civfanatics.com/categories/civ4-colonization.213/ Civilization Fanatics' Civilization IV Colonization Forums]
 +
{{GOG.com links|1760534591|sid_meiers_civilization_series|for game series}}
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/3900/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | disc check | | | Windows, OS X}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | disc check | {{removed DRM|SecuROM|7}} (removed with patch 1.01) |  | Windows, OS X}}
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B004UBE6IC | DRM-free |  |  | Windows}}
 
 
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B004YNEE7O | DRM-free |  |  | OS X}}
 
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B004YNEE7O | DRM-free |  |  | OS X}}
 +
{{Availability/row| GamersGate | sid-meiers-civilization-iv-complete-edition | Steam | Complete Edition. | | Windows, OS X }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 1786-2 | Steam |  |  | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | sid_meiers_civilization_iv_the_complete_edition | DRM-free | Complete Edition. Bundled with [[Civilization IV]]. |  | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | sid_meiers_civilization_iv_the_complete_edition | DRM-free | Complete Edition. Bundled with [[Civilization IV]]. |  | Windows }}
{{Availability/row| MacApp | id411705368 | MacApp |  |  | OS X}}
+
{{Availability/row| GMG | sid-meiers-civilization-iv-colonization-mac | Steam |  |  | Windows, OS X }}
{{Availability/row| Steam | 16810 | Steam |  |  | Windows, OS X}}
+
{{Availability/row| Humble | sid-meiers-civilization-iv-colonization | Steam | | | Windows, OS X }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 16810 | Steam | Default version uses Steamworks multiplayer, with a beta branch that restores the [[GameSpy]]/LAN version.<ref name="Steamworks">[http://2kgam.es/2KOnlineMigration 2K Online Server Migration from GameSpy Technology – 2K Support]</ref> Windows and OS X builds appear separately in the library. |  | Windows, OS X}}
 +
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B004UBE6IC | DRM-free |  |  | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
{{Availability/row| GamersGate | sid-meiers-civilization-iv-colonization | Steam | Standalone. | | Windows, OS X | unavailable }}
 +
{{Availability/row| MacApp | id411705368 | MacApp |  |  | OS X | unavailable }}
 
}}
 
}}
{{ii}} Retail version owners can contact [http://support.2k.com/requests/new 2K Support] for Steam product keys.<ref name="Steamworks"/>
+
{{ii}} Steam key exchanging service was discontinued on June 4, 2017.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005314867-GameSpy-Multiplayer-Exchange-Program-Ending|title=support.2k.com|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
{{ii}} The latest retail patch is [http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/201333423-Civilization-IV-Colonization-1-01f-Patch 1.01f]. The Steam version is already patched.
+
{{ii}} The latest retail patch is [http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/201333423-Civilization-IV-Colonization-1-01f-Patch 1.01f]. This removes the SecuROM 7 DRM from the game's installation, allowing for playing the game without the CD-ROM. The game can be installed with a CD-ROM backup prior to patching. The Steam version is already patched.
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Plok|date=2022-03-31|comment=}}</ref>|fix=
{{Fixbox/fix|Instructions|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}}}
 
 
# Go to the [[#game data|configuration file(s) location]].
 
# Go to the [[#game data|configuration file(s) location]].
 
# Open {{file|CivilizationIV.ini}}.
 
# Open {{file|CivilizationIV.ini}}.
Line 57: Line 87:
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Profiles\|{{p|userprofile}}\Documents\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|localappdata}}\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Profiles\|{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\}}
{{Game data/row|OS X|}}
+
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|userprofile}}\Documents\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Saves\}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|userprofile\Documents}}\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Saves\}}
{{Game data/row|OS X|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|OS X|}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} Saves can be stored anywhere; the default locations are listed above.
 
{{ii}} Saves can be stored anywhere; the default locations are listed above.
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===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
|origin               =  
+
|discord                  =
|origin notes         =  
+
|discord notes            =
|steam cloud           = false
+
|epic games launcher      =
|steam cloud notes    =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =
|uplay                =  
+
|gog galaxy                = false
|uplay notes           =  
+
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                   =  
 +
|origin notes             =  
 +
|steam cloud               = false
 +
|steam cloud notes        =
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
 +
|xbox cloud                =  
 +
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Civilization IV - Colonization video settings.png|Video settings.}}
 
{{Image|Civilization IV - Colonization video settings.png|Video settings.}}
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/civilization-iv-colonization
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/civilization-iv-colonization
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
 
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award =  
+
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
+
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution      = true
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
 
|widescreen resolution notes=  
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|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|windowed notes            =  
|borderless windowed        = unknown
+
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic                = false
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|antialiasing              = true
 
|antialiasing              = true
 
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 4x.
 
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 4x.
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
|60 fps                    = unknown
+
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps                    = unknown
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
|color blind                = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap                = false
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
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|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = n/a
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = false
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
|full controller          = unknown
+
|full controller          = false
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
|controller remap          = unknown
+
|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
+
|controller sensitivity    = false
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
+
|invert controller y-axis  = false
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = false
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = false
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
|controller hotplug        = unknown
+
|impulse triggers          = false
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = false
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =  
 +
|dualshock prompts        = false
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = false
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = false
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= false
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = false
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = false
 +
|other controllers notes  =
 +
|other button prompts     = false
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 +
|controller hotplug        = false
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
|haptic feedback          = unknown
+
|haptic feedback          = false
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = false
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
 
{{Image|Civilization IV - Colonization audio settings.png|Audio settings.}}
 
{{Image|Civilization IV - Colonization audio settings.png|Audio settings.}}
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Sound Effects, Speech, Ambience, Interface.
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Sound Effects, Speech, Ambience, Interface.
 
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound notes    = Up to 8.1.
 
|surround sound notes    = Up to 8.1.
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = true
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes        = EAX 4.0.
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 169: Line 244:
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = French
 
  |language  = French
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = German
 
  |language  = German
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only, [https://mega.nz/file/dG5SgLbJ#B-9zy2FPMPoJA9D1_4NmDM5tFMzWBVU4fK44agu8f4M download here].
 +
  |fan       =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Italian
 
  |language  = Italian
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Japanese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only
 +
  |fan       =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Retail only
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes     = Retail only
 +
|fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = true
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 216: Line 318:
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
|local play          = true
 
|local play          = true
|local play players  = 18
+
|local play players  = 28
 
|local play modes    = Hot seat
 
|local play modes    = Hot seat
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play            = true
|lan play players    = 18
+
|lan play players    = 28
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
|lan play notes      =  
+
|lan play notes      = Removed from Steam version after the Steamworks update.
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = limited
|online play players  = 18
+
|online play players  = 28
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
|online play notes    = Non-Steam versions require a GameSpy ID.
+
|online play notes    = The official [[GameSpy]] service has been shut down; Steam version has been updated with Steamworks support.
 
|asynchronous        = true
 
|asynchronous        = true
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 241: Line 343:
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|direct ip          = true
 
|direct ip          = true
|direct ip notes    = Removed from the Steam version.<ref name="Steamworks"/> Install the beta to regain access.<ref>[http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/202544073-Direct-IP-and-Installing-Pre-Steamworks-Civilization-IV-Unsupported-on-Steam Direct IP and Installing Pre-Steamworks Civilization IV (Unsupported) on Steam – 2K Support]</ref>
+
|direct ip notes    = Removed from the Steam version.<ref name="Steamworks"/> Install the beta to regain access.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/202544073-Direct-IP-and-Installing-Pre-Steamworks-Civilization-IV-Unsupported-on-Steam|title=Direct IP and Installing Pre-Steamworks Civilization IV (Unsupported) on Steam – 2K Support|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
}}{{Network/Ports
 
|tcp  =  
 
|tcp  =  
Line 251: Line 353:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 9.0c
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 265: Line 367:
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support          =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
 
|metal support notes    =  
|vulkan support        =  
+
|vulkan versions        =  
|vulkan support notes   =  
+
|vulkan notes           =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
|shader model versions  =  
+
|shader model versions  = 1.1
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
|64-bit executable     = unknown
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app = true
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        = 32-bit only.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://support.aspyr.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000214186|title=MacOS Catalina, 64-bit, 32-bit, and related Questions – Aspyr Support|date=9 June 2023}}</ref>
 +
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 +
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            = Miles Sound System
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        = Scaleform
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = GameSpy, Steamworks
 +
|multiplayer notes= All versions except Steam use GameSpy services that have been shut down.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 280: Line 409:
  
 
|minOS    = 2000, XP, Vista
 
|minOS    = 2000, XP, Vista
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium IV 1.4 GHz
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 1.2 GHz or AMD Athlon or equivalent
 
|minRAM  = 512 MB
 
|minRAM  = 512 MB
 
|minHD    = 900 MB
 
|minHD    = 900 MB
Line 289: Line 418:
  
 
|recOS    =  
 
|recOS    =  
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium IV 1.8 GHz
+
|recCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 1.8 GHz or AMD Athlon or equivalent
 
|recRAM  = 1 GB
 
|recRAM  = 1 GB
 
|recHD    =  
 
|recHD    =  
Line 316: Line 445:
 
{{ii}} Supported ATI chipsets: X1600, X1900, 2400, 2600, 3870
 
{{ii}} Supported ATI chipsets: X1600, X1900, 2400, 2600, 3870
 
{{ii}} Supported Nvidia chipsets: 7300, 7600, 8600, 8800, 9400, 9600, GT 120
 
{{ii}} Supported Nvidia chipsets: 7300, 7600, 8600, 8800, 9400, 9600, GT 120
{{--}} Intel integrated video chipsets are not supported<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/16810/|title=Civilization IV: Colonization Steam page|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
+
{{--}} Intel integrated video chipsets are not supported<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/16810/|title=Civilization IV: Colonization Steam page|date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 17:43, 11 August 2023

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization cover
Developers
Firaxis Games
Publishers
2K Games
Engines
Gamebryo
Release dates
Windows September 22, 2008
macOS (OS X) January 1, 2010
Reception
Metacritic 83
IGDB 77
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Turn-based
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Point and select
Genres 4X, TBS
Themes Historical
Series Civilization, Colonization
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization on HowLongToBeat
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization on IGDB
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization guide on StrategyWiki
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization on MobyGames
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization on Wikipedia
Sid Meier's Civilization 1991
Freeciv (unofficial) 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization II 1996
Civilization II: Test of Time 1999
Sid Meier's Civilization III 2001
Sid Meier's Civilization IV 2005
CivCity: Rome 2006
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization 2008
Sid Meier's Civilization V 2010
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth 2014
Sid Meier's Civilization VI 2016

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization' is a remake of the 1994 4X turn-based strategy game Sid Meier's Colonization using the same engine as the 2005 game Sid Meier's Civilization IV. Despite the name, it is a standalone release and does not require Civilization IV itself to play[Note 1].

The game received a single patch which fixed bugs and removed the DRM for the retail version.

In 2014, the Steam release was updated to replace the GameSpy multiplayer infrastructure with that of Steamworks and removed LAN, but it can be downgraded to the older version through a beta branch to re-enable compatibility with retail and GOG.com releases.

The game has no notable issues with running on modern systems as of August 2023.

General information

Official Downloads page (patches, SDK, etc.)
Civilization Wiki - A detailed wiki for all Civilization games and their spin offs
Civilization Fanatics' Civilization IV Colonization section
Civilization Fanatics' Civilization IV Colonization Forums
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SecuROM 7 DRM (removed with patch 1.01)
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Amazon.com
DRM-free
macOS (OS X)
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Complete Edition.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
Complete Edition. Bundled with Civilization IV.
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Default version uses Steamworks multiplayer, with a beta branch that restores the GameSpy/LAN version.[1] Windows and OS X builds appear separately in the library.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Amazon.com (unavailable)
DRM-free
Windows
GamersGate (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Standalone.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Mac App Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
macOS (OS X)
Steam key exchanging service was discontinued on June 4, 2017.[2]

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest retail patch is 1.01f. This removes the SecuROM 7 DRM from the game's installation, allowing for playing the game without the CD-ROM. The game can be installed with a CD-ROM backup prior to patching. The Steam version is already patched.

Skip intro videos

Instructions[3]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open CivilizationIV.ini.
  3. Change NoIntroMovie from 0 to 1.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Profiles\
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/16810/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Civilization IV Colonization\Saves\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/16810/pfx/[Note 2]
Saves can be stored anywhere; the default locations are listed above.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud

Video

Video settings.
Video settings.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, Sound Effects, Speech, Ambience, Interface.
Surround sound
Up to 8.1.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
EAX 4.0.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
Retail only, download here.
Italian
Japanese
Retail only
Polish
Retail only
Russian
Retail only
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
28 Hot seat
LAN play
28 Removed from Steam version after the Steamworks update.
Online play
28 The official GameSpy service has been shut down; Steam version has been updated with Steamworks support.
Asynchronous multiplayer

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Removed from the Steam version.[1] Install the beta to regain access.[4]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c
Shader Model support 1.1
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
32-bit only.[5]

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio Miles Sound System
Interface Scaleform
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer GameSpy, Steamworks All versions except Steam use GameSpy services that have been shut down.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000, XP, Vista
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 1.2 GHz or AMD Athlon or equivalent
System memory (RAM) 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 900 MB
Video card (GPU) 64 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Shader model 1.1 support
macOS (OS X)
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10.5.8
Processor (CPU) Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X1600
Nvidia GeForce 8600
128 MB of VRAM
Supported ATI chipsets: X1600, X1900, 2400, 2600, 3870
Supported Nvidia chipsets: 7300, 7600, 8600, 8800, 9400, 9600, GT 120
Intel integrated video chipsets are not supported[6]


Notes

  1. However, the GOG.com release installs both alongside each other automatically.
  2. 2.0 2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/16810/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (16810) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References