First released in 2001, and designed by company President and CEO, Jeff Briggs, Sid Meier's Civilization III saw the return of the Civilization franchise, first created by Sid Meier in 1991, which is recognized as the greatest strategy game series of all-time. Since its release, Civilization III has sold millions of copies worldwide and won numerous accolades for its addictive, open-ended gameplay, which combines strategy with simulation.