In the world of Civilization, few games have had as lasting an impact as Civilization 2’s infamous “Eternal War.” A single game that spanned over a decade, pushed to its limits by player James “Lycerius” Moore, resulted in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and endless conflict.
Moore played one game of Civilization 2 on and off for nearly 10 years, eventually reaching the year 3991 AD. The resulting world was described as a “hellish nightmare” with only three civilizations remaining: the Celts, Vikings, and Americans, engaged in an eternal struggle over a barely habitable earth.
The game’s outcome was not surprising to Moore, who had predicted its grim fate. “I think people have this morbid curiosity about the world and where it’s going,” he said in a 2012 interview. “I think it really captured a lot of people’s imaginations.”
The Eternal War has become a fascinating footnote in gaming history, with many players still trying to recreate its outcome. Meanwhile, Civilization 7 offers a more optimistic vision of human progress, but fans of the older games may miss the depth and complexity of Civ 2’s simulated world.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/a-hellish-nightmare-remembering-the-most-famous-civilization-game-ever-played-civ-2s-eternal-war