'Civilization' heading for Facebook

Civilization creator Sid Meier has confirmed that an online version of the popular strategy title is coming to Facebook.

Civilization Network will arrive on the social networking website next year. The game will emphasise cooperative play, allowing friends to share technology and form military alliances with one another.

"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 wrote on its Facebook fan page.

It is yet to be revealed whether the version will support in-game currency or goods that must be purchased with real money, nor was there any mention of an 'energy' system, as featured in Mafia Wars.

Civilization Network will enter closed beta "soon". Players who wish to take part can sign up on its official Facebook site.