Information has come to light about the near-inevitable next instalment in this most venerable of game series. During an interview over at GameDaily, Firaxis head-honcho Jeff Briggs informed the interviewer, and by extension the entire internet, that his company has two new games in production. One of them is an update to the evergreen Pirates while the other is the fourth instalment in the Civilisation series. No other details are known, but this news will no doubt excite the many legions of fans who will find themselves salivating a the prospect of kissing yet another few months of their lives away as they struggle to become supreme ruler of all history. I've got my bib on.

By Sam Gibson