2K Games publishing Civilization compilation, Jade Empire PC

For those discerning gamers who prefer to employ their hands in sculpting lives and constructing sprawling empires, 2K Games have announced the forthcoming release of a completely compelling compilation of Civilization games. Though the chosen title, Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles, may lead you to believe that the package comprises a stack of yellow paper hastily scribbled upon by the esteemed Mr. Meier and thoroughly detailing his development trials, tribulations and battles with encroaching madness ... it actually just contains all the games in the series. Those would be:

• Sid Meier's Civilization I
• Sid Meier's Civilization II
• Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds
• Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization
• Civilization II: Test of Time
• Sid Meier's Civilization III
• Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play the World
• Sid Meier's Civilization III: Conquests
  
• Sid Meier's Civilization IV
• Sid and Nancy's Civilization 2K6: Stoned Age (unconfirmed)

In addition, the undoubtedly heavy box will house a Civilization tabletop card game with over 250 custom cards, a 96-page book detailing the history of the series, a making-of DVD, tech-tree posters, podcast MP3s, wallpaper images and, err, more (it says here). Grab it from a shelf this October and, should you choose to pay for it, hand the inept cashier $69.99.

2K Games also revealed that they will be publishing the PC (that's personal computer, in this case) version of Bioware's martial arts RPG, Jade Empire. Picking it up in lieu of the April 2005 Xbox version will net you enhanced graphics and AI, new fighting styles, more monsters, an art booklet and an unusual desire to dispense flying kicks. Get it this January and struggle to find out why Sid Meier's Jade Empire isn't a real game.

Read -- Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles press release
Read -- Jade Empire PC press release