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The brainchild of videogame luminary Sid Meier, the Civilization series pioneered the turn-based strategy genre through its addictive mix of exploration, economics, warfare, research, and diplomacy. The first game in the series charged players with building a "legacy that would stand the test of time." Later games greatly expanded on the formula of the first game, but still retained the same deep gameplay. Civilization games are so notorious for their addictive nature that an alarm clock was included in Civilization IV, alerting payers when they may have played the game for too long. Of course, we always played with the alarm off, we can't stand anything interrupting our Civ time.

Notable Games
Alpha Centauri
Civilization II
Civilization IV

Brainchild of Will Wright, the Sim franchise has proven one of the most influential in gaming history. It began in 1989 with the release of SimCity. The Sim games challenged players intellectual, rather than testing their dexterity. These were rare games that could not be won or lost, merely experienced. Eventually, Sim left the realm of the inorganic and tackled simulating normal life. When EA released The Sims in 2000, it became an instant hit and became the best-selling PC title of all time. Wright's design ingenuity created a powerful franchise that continues to be among the most popular in gaming.

Notable Games
The Sims
SimCity
SimEarth

When it released in 1987, Metroid introduced gamers to the original strong female protagonist. The game was beloved not only for its intense shooting mechanics, but also its expansive alien planets that could be explored in a nonlinear fashion. With Metroid Prime, the series made its transition into 3D for the first time -- and in first-person no less! Hardcore fans were wary of this shift until they were placed inside Samus's formidable powersuit and saw the world through her visor. Immediately, gamers everywhere were enthralled by the game's immersive worlds and gargantuan bosses. Metroid may not quite have the same name recognition as Mario or Zelda, but it is inarguably one of the strongest franchises of all time.

Notable Games
Metroid Prime
Metroid: Zero Mission
Super Metroid

Few franchises on this list can claim to have almost single-handedly created a new genre in videogames. But that's what Resident Evil did when it debuted on the PlayStation in 1996. The series has since spread across every platform available and even into movie theatres with two (surprisingly) successful films. Many games have imitated Resident Evil's formula, but none have truly captured its unique blend of spooky exploration and head shots. And just when the franchise seemed to be running out of steam, Resident Evil 4 reinvented the genre it created with one of the finest examples of modern gaming.

Notable Games
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 4

A successful and beloved series of fantasy RTS games, Warcraft became a phenomenon with the release of the MMORPG World of Warcraft. Set in the same universe as the original three RTS titles, WOW vividly brought the world of Azeroth to life. Now boasting more than 7.5 million subscribers worldwide, World of Warcraft has become enough of a pop culture phenomenon to merit the satire from Comedy Central's South Park. Warcraft's RTS history certainly earned it a place as one of the top 25 franchises, but it's WOW that propelled it into the top 10.

Notable Games
Warcraft
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
World of Warcraft

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