4X games Alan Emrich

emrich coined term 4x ( explore, expand, exploit, exterminate ) in 1993 review of master of orion in computer gaming world, describing strategy games involve exploration, expansion, , exploitation of territory, , extermination of opponents. design of master of orion includes several suggestions , tom hughes made.

until april 2002 emrich lead designer of master of orion 3, attempted add 5th x, experience, genre. left developer, quicksilver software, reasons neither party wished explain.