Infogrames has officially announced Civilization III: Play the World, its upcoming turn-based strategy game expansion. While the expansion's existence was revealed earlier this month, few specific details were known about the upcoming add-on.

　　Civilization III: Play the World will contain full multiplayer support for Internet, LAN, play-by-e-mail, and hotseat games, and it will feature a turn-based mode, a simultaneous mode, and a new turnless mode. Players can compete in short, fast-paced game types such as elimination, regicide, and capture-the-flag, or play a more traditional Civilization-style game.

　　In addition to the new multiplayer modes, the expansion will include eight new civilizations, each with specialized units; eight new leaders; new map features such as airfields, outposts, and radar towers; two new terrain sets; and interface enhancements such as unit stacking and auto-bombard. It will also feature complete game editor and scenario support, including feudal Japan and World War II unit packs, that will let players create scenarios from any time period.

　　"We're thrilled with the reception our fans around the world have given Civilization III," said Sid Meier, cofounder of Firaxis Games, the studio that created the Civilization games. "They love Civ III and they are telling us they want more--more interesting civilizations to play, the ability to play with their friends, and a chance to create their own unique Civilization worlds. We've listened and we're giving them all of that, plus much more."

　　Infogrames and Firaxis will be demonstrating Civilization III: Play the World at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles later this month. The expansion is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2002.

　　Civilization III was released in October, and it is the latest installment in the popular Civilization strategy game series, which has sold more than 4 million games since its debut in 1991. Civilization III features a number of new features and improvements on the previous games, including better graphics, 3D animation, enhanced combat and diplomacy options, and additional paths to victory. GameSpot named Civilization III the full review of the game.