MicroProse Becomes Even More Civilized

Although it has published Sid Meier's Civilization all along, MicroProse solidified its association with the Civilization brand yesterday when it acquired Hartland Trefoil Ltd., the creator and publisher of the original Civilization board game.

Game designer Francis Tresham founded the company in 1971; the Civilization board game was published in 1980. From the beginning the company has marketed its products through licensing relationships with other companies; for instance, Avalon Hill has distributed Civilization (the board game) outside of Europe since 1982.

Francis Tresham will work with MicroProse, once the acquisition is complete, as a games design consultant, MicroProse said.