Truth Hits Everybody - Pt. 5...

5) Sid Meier is teh awesome.

For those unfamiliar with Sid Meier, he's the main brain behind classic strategy series like Civilization (1-4), Colonization and other titles of note.

I first experienced his world by playing Civ 1 back in '93. For its time, that sucker was advanced. You essentially started off as a national leader (you get to choose from a selection of leaders, countries or can customize your own) in the year 4000 BC. You directed your civilization's growth, trade & technological research throughout the years. You could build and explore the world, go to war or cooperate with your neighbors, whatever you chose to do.

The brilliance in this game was that you could never play the same game twice. Infinite possible endings to your civilization's story. I'd been warned by a friend that this game could suck one in if you weren't careful.

He wasn't kidding. I bought the game on a night before a two day block of time off from work. I think I did little more than sit there and play that damned game. Combined, I believe I spent 34 hours playing that first time.

This was a pattern that was to continue whenever something new would arrive on the market either from Sid Meier or from Will Wright (of Sim City & The Sims fame). A few days of hardcore playing followed by a period of moderated gameplay (a couple hours spread here and there throughout the week) until the next title arrived.

Hell, I still fire up Civ1 and Colonization (1995) to this day. Addictive.

The worst now is that I picked up a copy of Sid Meier's "Pirates!" Basically, you are a pirate out to make a name for yourself, rescue your kidnapped family, pillage and plunder, court the hot daughters of island governors, swordfight rival captains and steal their ships and treasure and more.

So, if I disappear for a bit, you know why! :)