Ikariam

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General Information
Ikariam is a free online real-time strategy game released in 2008 by Gameforge AG. The concept behind Ikariam is much like Sid Meier's well-known Civilization games. Each player is given a small town and constructs buildings such as Barracks, Ports, and Taverns to create a larger town, and palaces, which are constructed to allow for the expansion of the empire. Unlike most online browser games, Ikariam puts great emphasis on trade and diplomacy, though it does also feature combat. It is impossible for a town to be completely captured by another player, but it can still be pillaged or temporarily be occupied or blockaded.

Gameplay
Ikariam runs on different servers using the Greek alphabet, referred to as "worlds" or sometimes "realms". Servers aimed at different countries or language-groups use the same names for their worlds. There are some Test Servers and Speed Servers as well.

Players of Ikariam start off on an island with other players, a miracle, a luxury resource source (Quarry, Sulphur pit, Vineyard or Crystal mine), a saw mill, an island forum (Agora) and a Barbarian village.

Players need to research in each of the four research trees –, , , or - in the Academy, in order to build better structures; Military to create higher-level land-based units to pillage other people's towns or defend one's own; and Seafaring to establish new colonies, and to create better ships for blockading other people's ports to intercept the cargo ships going through, or for clearing such blockades.

Players can join alliances, which are groups of players who cannot attack one another and in most cases help each other with resources and defense. Players can also, with other research, make military, trade or cultural agreements with other players.

Players can also pillage, blockade, occupy, defend and free towns. On your capital's island there also are barbarians that you may attack, but they can't attack you. They get stronger after each attack. You can pillage Building Material, Wine , Marble , Crystal Glass and Sulphur. These resources help you build everything, from buildings like Academy to Warehouse, and from units such as Archers, Slingers and Cooks, to ships such as Ram-Ships and Fire Ships.

Conclusion
Ikariam is a fun addictive game for all ages that you will love to enjoy. You may get attacked at times but it is still so much fun!