# Firaxis Games

> American video game development company

**Wikidata**: [Q959759](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q959759)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firaxis_Games)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/firaxis-games

## Summary
Firaxis Games is an American video game development company founded in 1996 by industry veteran Sid Meier. Based in Sparks, Maryland, the studio is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive and specializes in the creation of strategy-focused video game software.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1996
- **Founder:** Sid Meier
- **Parent Organization:** Take-Two Interactive
- **Headquarters:** Sparks, Maryland (Location of formation: Hunt Valley)
- **Industry:** Video game industry
- **Primary Product:** Video game software
- **Notable Releases:** *Civilization IV: Colonization* (2008) and *Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword*
- **Official Website:** https://www.firaxis.com/

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded Firaxis Games?
A: Firaxis Games was founded by Sid Meier in 1996. Meier is a prominent figure in the video game industry, and the studio was established in Hunt Valley before moving its headquarters to Sparks, Maryland.

### Q: Who is the parent company of Firaxis Games?
A: Firaxis Games is owned and operated by Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two is a major American publisher, developer, and distributor of video games based in New York City.

### Q: What are some of the most well-known games developed by Firaxis?
A: The studio is notably responsible for developing titles within the *Civilization* franchise, including the 2008 game *Civilization IV: Colonization* and the expansion *Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword*.

### Q: Where is Firaxis Games located?
A: The company is currently headquartered in Sparks, Maryland. It was originally formed in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

## Why It Matters
Firaxis Games serves as a cornerstone of the American video game development landscape, particularly within the strategy genre. By focusing on complex software development and non-tangible executable components, the studio has produced critically recognized titles that have shaped the industry. Its association with Sid Meier, a foundational figure in game design, lends the company significant historical and creative weight. As a key subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, Firaxis contributes to a global distribution network, with its products localized into numerous languages including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Italian, and Japanese. The studio's longevity and consistent output since 1996 demonstrate its stability and influence within the evolving video game market.

## Notable For
- **Strategic Leadership:** Founded and led by Sid Meier, one of the most recognized names in game design.
- **Franchise Development:** Primary developer for major entries and expansions in the *Civilization* series, such as *Beyond the Sword*.
- **Corporate Integration:** A long-standing subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, aligning it with one of the industry's largest publishers.
- **Global Reach:** Its software products are documented across multiple international library and authority files, including the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

## Body

### Corporate History and Ownership
Firaxis Games was established in 1996 in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The company was founded by Sid Meier and eventually became a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two Interactive, founded in 1993 and headquartered in New York City, acts as the parent organization, providing publishing and distribution support. As of March 2021, the parent organization reported employing 6,495 people.

### Software Development and Titles
The studio is classified as a video game developer within the broader software development industry. Its portfolio is heavily focused on the strategy genre. Key projects include:
*   **Civilization IV: Colonization:** A standalone game released in 2008.
*   **Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword:** A significant expansion pack for the *Civilization IV* base game.

### Technical Identifiers and Digital Presence
Firaxis maintains a robust digital and academic footprint, evidenced by various international identifiers:
*   **ISNI:** 0000 0001 0728 0023
*   **VIAF ID:** 153825035
*   **GND ID:** 1206909013
*   **Alexa Rank:** As of January 9, 2018, the official website (firaxis.com) held a global rank of 797,721.

The company is also extensively indexed in gaming databases, including MobyGames (Company ID: 4), GameFAQs (Company ID: 10036), and VideoGameGeek (Company ID: 12114).

### Infrastructure
The company's headquarters are located in Sparks, Maryland. Previous facilities included a headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland, which was documented in 2008. The studio's primary output is digital software, categorized as non-tangible executable components for computer use.

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  "@type": "Organization",
  "name": "Firaxis Games",
  "description": "American video game development company founded by Sid Meier and owned by Take-Two Interactive.",
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  "sameAs": [
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  "foundingDate": "1996",
  "founder": {
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    "name": "Sid Meier"
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  "parentOrganization": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Take-Two Interactive"
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  "address": {
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## References

1. LastDodo
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. National Software Reference Library
7. [Alexa Internet](https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/firaxis.com/)
8. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
9. Quora
10. [Company:Firaxis Games - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Company:Firaxis_Games)
11. VideoGameGeek
12. [Firaxis Games, Inc. - MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com/company/4/firaxis-games-inc/)
13. [WiiG | Spieledatenbank](http://wiig.de/developer/506/Firaxis-Games/)
14. Video Games Chronicle