Editing Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (section)

===Critical reaction===
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = The Adrenaline Vault
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="avaultreview" />
| rev2 = ''FiringSquad''
| rev2Score = 90%<ref name="fsquadreview"/>
| GamePro = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="gproreview" />
| GameRev = B+<ref name="grevreview" />
| Edge = 9/10<ref name="Edge review"/>
| IGN = 9.5/10<ref name="ignreview" />
| MC = 92/100<ref name="mcscores"/>
| NGen = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
}}

The game showed well at the 1998 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3).<ref name=SMACManual1999p240>[[#SMACManual|Reynolds (November 23, 1998)]], p.240.</ref> Walter Morbeck of GameSpot said that ''Alpha Centauri'' was "more than hi-tech physics and new ways to blow each other up", and that the game would feature realistic aliens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e3news.com/pc/centauri/index.html |title=Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri |website=GameSpot |first=Walter |last=Morbeck |date=June 3, 1998 |archive-date=1999-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990128233315/http://www.e3news.com/pc/centauri/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Terry Coleman of ''Computer Gaming World'' predicted that ''Alpha Centauri'' would be "another huge hit".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e3news.com/pc/centauri/index2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990129011712/http://www.e3news.com/pc/centauri/index2.html |title=GameSpot's E3 News – Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri |website=GameSpot |first=Terry |last=Coleman |date=June 3, 1998 |archive-date=1999-01-29 |access-date=2010-09-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> OGR awarded it "Most Promising Strategy Game" and one of the top 25 games of E3 '98.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ogr.com/specials/bestofe3/e3awards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203073840/http://www.ogr.com/specials/bestofe3/e3awards.html |title=Specials – Best of E3 Expo '98 |publisher=OGR.com |date=1998 |archive-date=1999-02-03 |access-date=2010-09-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ogr.com/specials/bestofe3/best_of_e3.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203031205/http://www.ogr.com/specials/bestofe3/best_of_e3.shtml |title=Specials – Best of E3 Expo '98 |publisher=OGR.com |date=1998 |archive-date=1999-02-03 |access-date=2010-09-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a vote of 27&nbsp;journalists from 22&nbsp;gaming magazine, ''Alpha Centauri'' won "Best Turn Based Strategy" of E3 Show Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e3.net/1998/award/details.html |title=UGO Best of E3 Show Award Winners |publisher=UGO Networks |date=1998 |archive-date=1999-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990221124201/http://www.e3.net/1998/award/details.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aaron John Loeb, the Awards Committee Chairman, said "for those that understand the intricacies, the wonder, the glory of turn based 'culture building,' this is the game worth skipping class for."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e3.net/1998/award/alphacentauri.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981201232145/http://www.e3.net/1998/award/alphacentauri.html |title=Best of E3 Show Awards – 1998 |publisher=UGO |date=1998 |archive-date=1998-12-01 |access-date=2010-09-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Alpha Centauri's'' science fiction storyline received high praise; IGN considered the game an exception to PC sci-fi cliches,<ref name="ignreview" /> and ''GamePro'' compared the plot to the works of writers [[Stanley Kubrick]] and [[Isaac Asimov]].<ref name="gproreview" /> J.C. Herz of ''The New York Times'' suggested that the game was a marriage of ''[[SimCity]]'' and [[Frank Herbert]]'s ''[[Dune (book)|Dune]]''.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|last=Herz|first=J.C.|title=Game Theory; On 2067 Battleground, 1999 Political Passions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/18/technology/game-theory-on-2067-battleground-1999-political-passions.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2010-06-22|date=March 18, 1999|archive-date=2010-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725071000/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/18/technology/game-theory-on-2067-battleground-1999-political-passions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''GamePro''{{'}}s Dan Morris said "As the single-player campaign builds to its final showdown, the ramifications of the final theoretical discoveries elevate Alpha Centauri from great strategy game to science-fiction epic."<ref name="gproreview" /> Game Revolution said, "The well crafted story, admirable science-fiction world, fully realized scenario, and quality core gameplay are sure to please."<ref name="grevreview">{{cite web|last=B|first=Johnny|title=Alpha Centauri Review for the PC|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/alpha-centauri|publisher=Game Revolution|access-date=2010-06-22|archive-date=2012-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616043321/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/alpha-centauri|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Edge'' praised the uniqueness of expression saying it was "the same kind of old-fashioned, consensual storytelling that once drew universes out of ASCII."<ref name=Edge2006p1/> The in-game writing and faction leaders were also well-received for their believability, especially the voice acting.<ref name=Tito2005p1/><ref name="ignreview" /><ref name="fsquadreview" /><ref name="avaultreview">{{cite web|last=Hines|first=Pete|title=Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri PC Review|url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri-pc-review/|publisher=The Adrenaline Vault|access-date=2010-06-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826233353/http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/sid-meiers-alpha-centauri-pc-review/|archive-date=2010-08-26}}</ref> GameSpot reviewer Denny Atkin called the factions and their abilities ''Alpha Centauri''{{'}}s "most impressive aspect".<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/sidmeiersalphacentauri/review.html| title = Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Review| first = Denny| last = Atkin| website = GameSpot| date = February 19, 1999| access-date = March 1, 2011| archive-date = 2011-09-07| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110907144029/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/sidmeiersalphacentauri/review.html| url-status = live}}</ref> Greg Tito of The Escapist said, "the genius of the game is how it flawlessly blends its great writing with strategy elements."<ref name=Tito2005p2/>

''Alpha Centauri's'' turn-based gameplay, including the technology trees and factional warfare, was commonly compared to ''Civilization'' and ''Civilization II''.<ref name="Edge review">{{cite magazine |title=Alpha Centauri |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |issue=69 |pages=74–75 |date=March 1999}}</ref> The Adrenaline Vault's Pete Hines said, "While ''Alpha Centauri'' is the evolutionary off-spring to [''Civilization''] and [''Civilization II''], it is not [''Civilization II''] in space. Although the comparison is inevitable because of the lineage, it is still short-sighted."<ref name="avaultreview" /> ''Edge'' in 2006 praised "Alpha Centauri's greater sophistications as a strategy game."<ref name=Edge2006p1/> IGN said "Alpha Centauri is a better game than Civilization II; it's deep, rich, rewarding, thought-provoking in almost every way."<ref name="ignreview" /> Game Revolution's reviewer was less magnanimous, saying "Alpha Centauri is at least as good a game as Civilization 2. But it is its great similarity that also does it the most detriment. Alpha Centauri simply does not do enough that is new; it just doesn't innovate enough to earn a higher grade."<ref name="grevreview" /> The ability to create custom units was praised,<ref name="fsquadreview" /><ref name="avaultreview" /> as was the depth of the tech tree.<ref name="avaultreview" /><ref name="grevreview" /> The artificial intelligence of computer-controlled factions, which featured adaptability and behavioral subtlety,<ref name="redefining">{{Cite news | last = Scheisel | first = Seth | title = Redefining the Power of the Gamer | work = The New York Times | date = June 7, 2005 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/arts/07arti.html | access-date = September 28, 2016 | archive-date = October 4, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131004212647/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/arts/07arti.html | url-status = live }}</ref> was given mixed comments; some reviewers thought it was efficient and logical,<ref name="ignreview" /><ref name="gproreview" /> while others found it confusing or erratic.<ref name="avaultreview" /><ref name="grevreview" /> ''Edge'' was disappointed in the game's diplomacy, finding "no more and no less than is expected from the genre" and unhappy with "the inability to sound out any real sense of relationship or rational discourse."<ref name=Edge2006p2/>

{{blockquote|If you're looking for gratuitous eye candy, then you're obviously in the wrong place. Alpha Centauri's graphics are quite good, but they're not going to make anyone sit up and take notice.|Bob Colayco, FiringSquad<ref name="fsquadreview" />}}

The game's graphics were widely acknowledged to be above average at the time of its release, but not revolutionary.<ref name="ignreview" /><ref name="fsquadreview" /> Its maps and interface were
considered detailed and in accordance with a space theme,<ref name="fsquadreview" /><ref name="grevreview" /> but the game was released with a limited color palette.<ref name="avaultreview" /> The in-game cutscenes, particularly the [[full motion video]] that accompanied technological advances, were praised for their quality and innovation.<ref name="fsquadreview" /><ref name="avaultreview" /> ''Alpha Centauri's'' sound and music received similar comments;<ref name="ignreview" /><ref name="avaultreview" /> FiringSquad said "<nowiki>[The sound effect quality]</nowiki> sort of follows the same line as the unit graphics – not too splashy but enough to get the job done."<ref name="fsquadreview" />

''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Sid Meier creates yet another masterpiece in this game that, at a glance, looks all too familiar."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=April 1999|page=87}}</ref>

''Alpha Centauri'' has won several Game of the Year awards,<ref name=Tito2005p2/> including those from the ''[[The Denver Post|Denver Post]]'' and the ''[[Toronto Sun]]''. It won the "Turn-based Strategy Game of the Year" award from [[GameSpot]] as well. The [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Alpha Centauri'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|PC Strategy Game of the Year]]" at the [[2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]; it also received nominations for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]", "Computer Entertainment Title of the Year", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Game Design|Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Design]]".<ref name="IAA_GOTY">{{cite web |title=Second Interactive Achievement Awards – Game of the Year |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104011602/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |archive-date=November 4, 1999}}</ref><ref name="IAA_Computer">{{cite web |title=Second Interactive Achievement Awards – Computer |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991104003923/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |archive-date=November 4, 1999}}</ref><ref name="IAA_Craft">{{cite web |title=Second Interactive Achievement Awards – Craft Award |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991103220401/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |archive-date=November 3, 1999}}</ref> In 2000, ''Alpha Centauri'' won the [[Origins Award]] for ''Best Strategy Computer Game of 1999''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firaxis.com/smac/game.cfm |title=Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: The Game |publisher=Firaxis |archive-date=2008-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124172058/http://www.firaxis.com/smac/game.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The editors of ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' named ''Alpha Centauri'' their "Best Turn-Based Strategy Game" of 1999, and wrote that it "set a new standard for this venerable genre."<ref name=pcgamerusawards1999>{{cite journal |date=March 2000 | title=The Sixth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=7 | number=3 | pages=46, 47, 49, 50, 54–56, 60, 62 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Staff }}</ref> ''Alpha Centauri'' has the distinction of receiving gaming magazine ''[[PC Gamer]]''{{'}}s highest score to date as of 2019 (98%), alongside [[Half-Life 2]] and [[Crysis (video game)|Crysis]],<ref name=Tito2005p2/> surpassing ''Civilization II''{{'}}s score (97%).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/256.html |title=PC Gamer Online: Civilization II (July 1996) |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |date=October 8, 1999 |access-date=2020-10-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991113155711/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/256.html |archive-date=November 13, 1999 }}</ref> ''Alien Crossfire'' was a runner-up for ''[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]''{{'}}s 1999 "Add-on of the Year" award, which ultimately went to ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade]]''.<ref name=cgmawards1999>{{cite web |author=Staff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324005917/http://cdmag.com/articles/026/150/intro.html |url=http://cdmag.com:80/articles/026/150/intro.html |title=The ''Computer Games'' Awards; The Best Games of 1999 |date=March 6, 2000 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] |archive-date=March 24, 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref>