Игры, основанные на принципе 4X - термин, придуманный Аланом Эмричем (Alan Emrich) в его сентябрьском обзоре игры Master of Orion для журнала Computer Gaming World. Термин 4X расшифровывается как "исследуйте, расширяйте, эксплуатируйте и уничтожайте" (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate). Проще говоря, игры из этой серии позволяют закончить несколькими способами, будь то мирный или агрессивный, пассивный или нацеленный на быстрое прохождение; все пути могут привести к победе... или поражению.
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021
- TMA / TMA / 1987
Reach for the Stars: The Conquest of the Galaxy
- SSG / SSG / 1988
Sid Meier's Civilization
- MicroProse Software / MicroProse Software / 1991
Spaceward Ho!
- Delta Tao Software / New World Computing / 1992
Master of Orion
- SimTex / MicroProse Software / 1993
Master of Magic
- SimTex / MicroProse Software / 1994
Sid Meier's Colonization
- MicroProse Software / MicroProse Software / 1994
Alien Legacy
- Ybarra Productions / Sierra On-Line / 1994
Ascendancy
- The Logic Factory / Virgin Interactive / 1995
Emperor of the Fading Suns
- Holistic Design / SegaSoft / 1996
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
- SimTex / MicroProse Software / 1996
Deadlock: Planetary Conquest
- Accolade / Accolade / 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization II
- MicroProse Software / MicroProse Software / 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization
- MicroProse Software / MicroProse Software / 1996
Stars!
- Entertainment International / Empire Interactive / 1996
Sid Meier's Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds
- MicroProse Software / MicroProse Software / 1997
Space Empires III
- Malfador Machinations / Malfador Machinations / 1997
Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain
- Heliotrope Studios / THQ / 1997
Lords of Magic
- Impressions Games / Sierra On-Line / 1997
Imperium Galactica
- Digital Reality / GT Interactive Software / 1997
Deadlock II: Shrine Wars
- Cyberlore Studios / Accolade / 1998
Lords of Magic: Legends of Urak
- Impressions Games / Sierra On-Line / 1998
Star Wars: Rebellion
- Coolhand Interactive / LucasArts / 1998
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Birth of the Federation
- MicroProse Software / Hasbro Interactive / 1999
Imperium Galactica II: Alliances
- Digital Reality / GT Interactive Software / 1999
Civilization: Call to Power
- Activision / Activision / 1999
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
- Firaxis Games / Electronic Arts / 1999
Civilization II: Test of Time
- MicroProse Software / Hasbro Interactive / 1999
Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire
- Firaxis Games / Electronic Arts / 1999
Call to Power II
- Activision / Activision / 2000
Space Empires IV
- Malfador Machinations / Shrapnel Games / 2000
Reach for the Stars
- SSG / SSI / 2000
Star Trek: New Worlds
- 14 Degrees East / Interplay Entertainment / 2000
Sid Meier's Civilization III
- Firaxis Games East / Infogrames / 2001
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play the World
- Firaxis Games / Infogrames / 2002
Haegemonia: Legions of Iron
- Digital Reality / Wanadoo Edition / 2002
Haegemonia: The Solon Heritage
- Digital Reality / Wanadoo Edition / 2003
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Conquests
- BreakAway Games / Atari / 2003
Galactic Civilizations
- Stardock Entertainment / Strategy First / 2003
Master of Orion 3
- Quicksilver Software / Infogrames / 2003
Galactic Civilizations: Altarian Prophecy
- Stardock Entertainment / Strategy First / 2004
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
- Firaxis Games / 2K Games / 2005
Sword of the Stars
- Kerberos Productions / Lighthouse Interactive / 2006
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords
- Firaxis Games / 2K Games / 2006
Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords
- Stardock Entertainment / Paradox Interactive / 2006
Space Empires V
- Malfador Machinations / Strategy First / 2006
Sword of the Stars: Born of Blood
- Kerberos Productions / Lighthouse Interactive / 2007
Lost Empire
- Pollux Gamelabs / Paradox Interactive / 2007
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword
- Firaxis Games / 2K Games / 2007
Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar
- Stardock Entertainment / Stardock Entertainment / 2007
Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor
- Stardock Entertainment / Stardock Entertainment / 2008
Lost Empire: Immortals
- Pollux Gamelabs / Paradox Interactive / 2008
East India Company
- Nitro Games / Paradox Interactive / 2009
Endless Space
- Amplitude Studios / Iceberg Interactive / 2012
Legends of Pegasus
- Novacore Studios / Kalypso Media / 2012
StarDrive
- Zero Sum Software / Iceberg Interactive / 2013
Pandora: First Contact
- Proxy Studios / Slitherine / 2014