Sign up for Civilization World alpha test

Firaxis' superhero development bossman Sid Meier has revealed that its upcoming Civilization game for Facebook is now called Civilization World – and there's a closed alpha test starting on 12th January.

If you fancy taking part then you can sign up on the official website, where you will then need to form a team to take part. That's because in Civ World you collaborate with friends to become ruler of the world.

In the full game you will be able to sign up individually, but for the alpha you need to do so as a team to help simulate real-world conditions for testing. Teams can consist of anything from five to 50 people.

If you do get involved in the alpha, you can expect to be rewarded with a "special item" to display in your Civ World throne room when the full game is released later this year, in order to demonstrate that you're one of its founding players.

Writing (appropriately enough) on Facebook, Sid Meier also talked a little bit about how the game works:

"Civ World games will have a well-defined beginning and end, each ending with a triumphant civilization and one person recognised as that game's most prestigious player," he explained.

"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."

Should be good. Like.