Civ World Taking Registrations For Closed Alpha

If you've been waiting to check out Civilization's entry in the world of Facebook gaming, you may be able to get your hands on it in the near future. Civilization World will be holding a closed alpha starting January 12, and you can sign up now to be a part of it. First, you'll need to wrangle up at least four buddies. As Sid Meier posted in an open letter to fans, alpha candidates have to form up in teams, which can range anywhere in size from between five to 50 players.

Here's a little taste of what you can expect to see, straight from Sid:

"Civ World games will have a well-defined beginning and end, each ending with a triumphant civilization and one person recognized as that game’s most prestigious player. Along the way, as you progress through the different eras of time, you'll have the chance to win era victories as well. We want players to have both a final goal to work towards, as well as short-term objectives to achieve as they play. The trophies you unlock with your triumphs will carry over from game to game, and you can show them off in your throne room."

Speaking of throne rooms, players who make it into the alpha will get a special trophy that they can display to show off the fact that they were there from the beginning. Neat-o!

We'll have to wait to see if the Facebook incarnation maintains the series' addictive qualities. One thing's for certain, though: "Civ World" is slightly catchier than its former title, "Sid Meier's Civilization Network." That old name was so 2009.