Sid Meier on His Legacy, Game Design, & the Appeal of Turn-Based Strategy: BIG TALK w. Adam Sessler

Sid Meier's impact on gaming cannot be overstated. As one of the fathers of the turn-based strategy genre, and the designer of games like Civilization, Pirates, and Railroad Tycoon, he's established himself as one of the titans of the industry. Adam Sessler got a rare chance to sit down with Sid and discuss his legacy, his philosophy on game design, and why he's so attracted to one genre.
00:46 - Becoming a game designer
03:04 - The influence of board games and foundation of design
04:43 - Microprose's interest in reality and their design philosophy
07:10 - The creation of Sid Meier's Pirates!
10:30 - Developing Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon
14:07 - Civilization
18:58 - Why has Sid stuck with turn-based strategy?
23:40 - Did Sid see the gaming industry becoming this big?
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Music by Giraffage: giraffage.bandcamp.com

[@JordanPool13]

What an inspiring person. Such a cool dude, no ego, just a guy who wants to include people in experiences he is interested in making.

[@mrovelino]

we owe Sid Meier in a big way. basically he defined turn based strategy genre

[@SubBrief]

He can have all my money. Thank you, Sid, for a lifetime of entertainment!

[@knossis1]

Sid is a legend, his Civilization game was the first game I played where I would think I'd only played for an hour and would realize eight hours had actually passed. Now a days games can only keep my attention for an hour or less. Miss the time when game play ruled over graphics.

[@TerrorTerros]

Truly a incredible, creative pioneer. Such a shame so many ''new'' gamers don't appreciate his kind of games anymore. While his influence is still felt in nearly all new games these days.

[@AudieHolland]

I played "Pirates!" much like a strategic military game. Since both the Spanish Silver Train and Treasure Fleet had set routes, traveling from major city to major port, planning for the big strike was essential. Both targets had extra soldiers that came with the gold so it was always going to be a difficult mission. Either raid the fort or wage a landwar where your entire band could very possibly be wiped out by the town's militia and cavalry. In the end, I found out that the Silver Train and Treasure Fleet only had about 25-50 extra soldiers. So if I could hit the next port or city that they would visit with a preliminary strike (making sure to exterminate every single Spanish soldier) then when the train or fleet arrived, they would be an easy target for my 200+ pirating band. How did I exterminate entire garrissons? Simple. During the sword fight with the enemy commander/captain, keep hitting him untill he is about to panic. Then allow him to hit you one or two times. This would bring enemy morale back somewhat, prolonging the fight. I would have the sword fight last as long untill the enemy only had a single soldier left (the commander, who could not be killed but would surrender).

[@chadpursley611]

The first Civilization game was one of the first games I remember loving. Now I am on Civ 5, and I play this more than any other game. This is the first Sid Meter interview that I have ever seen.

[@armandomendoza9028]

And that, my Friends, is what we call a living legend.... Alpha Centauri is the definition of "perfection"

[@Rev3Games]

Happy birthday, @sid_meier! Reflect on Sid's legacy with this rare one-on-one interview he gave to Sessler:

[@metrekkie]

I am so excited for the latest innovation in turn based strategy; Sid Meier's Tic Tac Toe.

[@gisellewong4057]

I had soooo much fun as a teen playing Railroad Tycoon and Civ 1, thanks to Sid! I spent hours upon hours just making new railroad lines, watching the cities grow in size, outsmarting my rivals by trapping them with my railroad lines and having 2/3 of the map all to myself~ the games in the 90s were so much fun. Just recently got back into the Civ series and now we're waiting on Civ 7, can't wait to see what new ideas are being brought into the long-standing series!

[@commandantee]

Greatest genius of the game developing! 😍

[@PaleBlueDott]

Happy birthday Sid Meier.You and I celebrate our birthday on the same day!

[@jasonpiano25]

Colonization was one of my first computer games (around 1994, I think). I loved it immediately and have played through the game countless times since. I still have my disc and have played as recently as a few months ago. I even learned a great deal about American history! So, thank you Sid Meier! Keep up the good work!

[@ronpaulprofessionalsexsymb7197]

Sid seems like a very intelligent individual. He really needs more attention. He's able to make a game that is original (looking at you, COD). He is amazing.

[@Homeworkbad]

I really enjoy these interviews with classic video game creators. They are educational and cover topics most people don't think about/ talk about. Keep them up if possible.

[@OrionCallisto]

Thanks Sid for all the memories. Your remake of Pirates is still entertaining the hell out of me to this day, as does your Civ games and the wonderful new X-Com. And also, thank you Adam for this interview and for years of laughter and reflection upon the craft that I love so much. Xplay was a blast while it lasted. Great interview.

[@1969cmp]

There were thought I had as a kid, designing city street with pencil on paper, or world war scenarios and drawing and running out frontlines. This was in the early 80s. A decade or so later, Sid helped my thoughts and day dreams come alive.

[@bishop186]

I can hardly believe Pirates! was so long ago. I can still fondly and acutely remember playing that game.

[@MrFlac00]

I have to say, these interviews are great. Especially when you guys at Rev3 find people involved in the industry who genuinely love games and everything about them. It's a lot of fun to see their own excitement for something which we all take for granted. I don't think I stand alone in saying that these interviews are great. Please keep coming out w/ them