This standalone expansion of Civilization IV completely converts the game engine to give players an experience much more similar to that of another Sid Meier classic: Colonization. Gamers take charge of a group of English, Spanish, French, or Dutch citizens fleeing their homeland in pursuit of freedom in the New World, and then players must learn to trade and negotiate with natives and other colonists and eventually fight for their own freedom and independence. Diplomatic options have increased, with new ways to trade resources, gold, and land, and players can acquire founding fathers such as John Smith, Patrick Henry, and Samuel Adams to help guide the nation to freedom. Multiplayer options include Internet and e-mail play modes, as well as LAN and hotseat modes, and players can make use of modding tools and a map editor to customize their games.