Release

Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Critic score

91/100

Platform families

3

Editorial overview

Inside Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

What it is

Legendary designer Sid Meier presents the next evolution in strategy games, with the most addictive, compelling gameplay yet. Explore the alien planet that is your new home and uncover its myriad mysteries. Discover over 75 extraordinary technologies. Build over 60 base upgrades and large scales secret projects for your empire. Conquer your enemies with a war machine that you design from over 32,000 possible unit types.

Play styles

Single player · Multiplayer

Perspective

First person · Bird view / Isometric

Themes

PC

LUDEX game dossier

Simulator Strategy Turn-based strategy (TBS)

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

Firaxis Games · Electronic Arts

91Critics4.6/5Tuesday, February 9, 199927.5 years ago

Official site

Rate this game

Connected releases

2

Game data from IGDB

Science fiction · 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate)

Languages

3 supported

Cinematic archive

See the world in motion

Official footage, in-game captures, and production artwork—collected into one immersive gallery.

15 assets

Official trailers

Trailer

Dev Diary

Screenshots & key art

Beyond this game

Explore the complete universe

One complete franchise view connects the main releases, spin-offs, settings, and related game families.

FranchiseSid MeierEnter the franchise

Content map

Everything connected to this release

DLC, expansions, editions, and bundles are different products. Each stays in its own lane so you always know what you are looking at.

1 Expansion1 Bundle

Major add-ons

Expansions

Substantial new chapters that remain attached to the original game.

1 release

ExpansionSid Meier's Alien CrossfireOct 20, 1999Requires the base game

Store collections

Bundles

Packages combining this title with other games or downloadable content.

1 release

BundleSid Meier's Alpha Centauri Planetary PackFeb 23, 2000Multi-item package

Production dossier

The complete game record

Cast, creators, hardware, release history, and the details that define how this game plays.

Who made it

Platforms

Linux
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Mac

Release history

Feb 09, 1999PC (Microsoft Windows)
Feb 19, 1999PC (Microsoft Windows)
Feb 03, 2000Mac
Mar 10, 2000Mac
Jan 24, 2013Mac
Jan 24, 2013PC (Microsoft Windows)
Aug 2000Linux

Themes & modes

Science fiction4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate)Single playerMultiplayer

Windows

Minimum

Minimum: • OS *: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 • Processor: 1.8 GHz • Memory: 512 MB RAM • Graphics: 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c • DirectX: Version 9.0c • Storage: 600 MB available space • Additional Notes: Requires a monitor that supports a minimum resolution of 800x600

Recommended

Recommended: • OS *: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 • Processor: 1.8 GHz • Memory: 512 MB RAM • Graphics: 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9.0c • DirectX: Version 9.0c • Storage: 600 MB available space • Additional Notes: Requires a monitor that supports a minimum resolution of 800x600