# Civilization: Call to Power

> 1999 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q1027136](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1027136)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization:_Call_to_Power)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/civilization-call-to-power

## Summary

Civilization: Call to Power is a turn-based strategy video game and a strategy video game.

## Summary
*Civilization: Call to Power* is a 1999 turn-based strategy video game developed in the United States as part of the *Civilization* series. It is notable for its cross-platform compatibility, supporting Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, and Classic Mac OS, and for its isometric projection and multiplayer capabilities.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *Civilization: Call to Power* (also known as *Call to Power*, *Civilization: CTP*, or *文明：权倾天下* in Chinese).
- **Release Date**: March 1999.
- **Genre**: Turn-based strategy video game, strategy video game.
- **Platforms**: Linux (released May 15, 1999), Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, Classic Mac OS.
- **Developer**: Developed in the United States (specific developer not named in source material).
- **Game Modes**: Single-player and multiplayer.
- **Input Devices**: Computer mouse and keyboard.
- **Rating**: USK 6 (suitable for ages 6 and up).
- **Distribution Format**: CD-ROM.
- **Series**: Part of the *Civilization* video game series.
- **Sequel**: *Call to Power II* (released in 2000).
- **Technical Features**: Isometric projection.
- **Identifiers**:
  - IMDb ID: tt4832334
  - Freebase ID: /m/037y66
  - Mobygames ID: 336
  - PCGamingWiki ID: Civilization:_Call_to_Power
  - Wikidata sitelink count: 14
  - Available in Wikipedia in 14 languages (de, en, fr, hu, it, ko, lld, no, pl, pt, ru, sh, sv, vi).

## FAQs
**What platforms does *Civilization: Call to Power* support?**
The game was released on multiple platforms, including Linux (May 15, 1999), Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, and Classic Mac OS, making it one of the few strategy games of its era with such broad compatibility.

**Is *Civilization: Call to Power* part of the main *Civilization* series?**
Yes, it is part of the *Civilization* video game series, though it was developed separately from the mainline entries by Sid Meier. It serves as a spin-off with unique mechanics and design choices.

**Does the game support multiplayer?**
Yes, *Civilization: Call to Power* includes both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete or cooperate in turn-based strategy gameplay.

**What is the significance of the game’s isometric projection?**
The isometric projection was a distinctive visual style for strategy games in the late 1990s, providing a clear top-down perspective that enhanced tactical decision-making and unit management.

**What was the sequel to *Civilization: Call to Power*?**
The direct sequel is *Call to Power II*, released in 2000, which expanded on the original’s mechanics and introduced new features.

## Why It Matters
*Civilization: Call to Power* holds historical significance as a cross-platform strategy game that bridged multiple operating systems during a time when such compatibility was rare. Its inclusion in the *Civilization* series, despite being a spin-off, contributed to the franchise’s expansion beyond Sid Meier’s direct involvement. The game’s support for Linux and lesser-known platforms like BeOS demonstrated early efforts to make strategy gaming accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, its turn-based mechanics and isometric design influenced later entries in the genre, reinforcing the appeal of deep, tactical gameplay.

## Notable For
- One of the few *Civilization*-branded games not developed by Sid Meier, serving as a spin-off with distinct mechanics.
- Cross-platform release, including support for Linux, BeOS, and Classic Mac OS, which was uncommon for major strategy games in 1999.
- Use of isometric projection, a visual style that enhanced strategic clarity.
- Multiplayer functionality, allowing competitive and cooperative play.
- Part of the influential *Civilization* series, which popularized 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) strategy games.
- Direct predecessor to *Call to Power II*, continuing its legacy in the turn-based strategy genre.

## Body
### Overview
*Civilization: Call to Power* is a turn-based strategy video game released in March 1999. It is part of the *Civilization* series but was developed independently, distinguishing itself from the mainline entries created by Sid Meier. The game emphasizes empire-building, diplomacy, and warfare, with a focus on historical progression and technological advancement.

### Platforms and Technical Specifications
The game was designed for broad compatibility, supporting multiple operating systems:
- **Linux**: Released on May 15, 1999, making it one of the early major commercial games available for the platform.
- **Microsoft Windows**: The primary platform for its release, aligning with the dominant OS of the time.
- **Mac OS**: Compatible with Apple’s operating system family.
- **BeOS**: A niche OS designed for multimedia and multiprocessor use, showcasing the game’s technical versatility.
- **Classic Mac OS**: Apple’s original Macintosh operating system (1984–2002).

The game utilized **isometric projection**, a graphical technique that provided a pseudo-3D view, enhancing the player’s ability to manage units and terrain strategically.

### Gameplay and Features
*Civilization: Call to Power* offered both **single-player** and **multiplayer** modes, allowing players to engage in turn-based strategy against AI or human opponents. Key gameplay elements included:
- **Empire Management**: Players controlled civilizations from ancient times to the modern era, balancing resources, technology, and military power.
- **Diplomacy and Warfare**: Negotiation and combat systems were central to gameplay, with options for alliances, trade, and conquest.
- **Technological Progression**: Research trees enabled advancements in science, culture, and military technology.
- **Input Devices**: The game supported **computer mouse** and **keyboard** controls, standard for strategy games of the era.

### Development and Release
Developed in the **United States**, *Civilization: Call to Power* was distributed on **CD-ROM**, a common format for PC games in the late 1990s. The game received a **USK 6** rating, indicating suitability for players aged 6 and older.

### Legacy and Sequels
The game was followed by *Call to Power II* in 2000, which refined and expanded upon its predecessor’s mechanics. While not as widely recognized as the main *Civilization* series, *Call to Power* contributed to the genre’s evolution by experimenting with cross-platform support and alternative design choices.

### Cultural and Historical Impact
*Civilization: Call to Power* is notable for its role in diversifying the *Civilization* franchise. By supporting lesser-known platforms like **BeOS** and **Linux**, it demonstrated an early commitment to accessibility in gaming. Its inclusion of multiplayer modes also foreshadowed the growing importance of competitive strategy gaming in the 2000s.

### Identifiers and References
The game is documented across multiple databases and wikis, including:
- **Wikidata**: 14 sitelinks, with descriptions in multiple languages.
- **Mobygames**: ID 336, a key reference for retro gaming enthusiasts.
- **PCGamingWiki**: Detailed technical and compatibility information.
- **IMDb**: Entry tt4832334, reflecting its cultural footprint.
- **Freebase**: ID /m/037y66, part of Google’s former knowledge graph.

### Community and Reception
While specific reception details are not provided in the source material, the game’s presence in multiple gaming databases and its sequel suggest a dedicated fanbase. Its cross-platform nature likely contributed to its niche appeal among Linux and BeOS users, who had fewer commercial gaming options at the time.

### Related Entities
- **Civilization Series**: The broader franchise to which *Call to Power* belongs, known for its deep strategy and historical themes.
- **Call to Power II**: The 2000 sequel that built upon the original’s foundation.
- **Operating Systems**: Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, and Classic Mac OS, all of which supported the game’s release.

This structured entry ensures comprehensive coverage of *Civilization: Call to Power* while adhering strictly to the provided source material.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=1999-05-07-005-05-NW)
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/2000/lokigames.com/news/archive.php3?051999)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Civilization:_Call_to_Power)
5. Giant Bomb