Civilization Network arrives in June

Sid Meier's Civilization game for Facebook -- called Civilization Network -- won't arrive until June, according to this Variety article.

Fans may be bummed about this news, especially since the announcement in October '09, said they'd be hunting for people to beta test the game "soon" and the full game would launch in 2010.

This socialized version of the classic PC game series seems like it will have more of the same turn-based strategizing required to win, but will also have a component where you'll work with Facebook friends to form a government, win elections and create the great Wonders of the World.

"The game will offer everything you enjoy in Civ in a fully persistent environment – you can play as much as you like, whenever you like, and it'll be free to play," Meier says in his initial description of the game.

We have to wonder, though, how 'free' is free? We suspect the game, much like other 'free' Facebook games, will also include a for-pay component that will allow players to buy virtual items/abilities that will give them a leg up in their quest to rule the world. Don't put those wallets away yet, Civ fans.