"We will not be part of your machiavellian plans!"

For the last few weeks my time-sink of choice has been Star Wars Battlefront II, an evil leech of a game, but mere methadone compared to the 100% pure gaming smack of Civilization II, a game which - foolishly - I've chosen to reaquaint myself. Whether building Bach's Cathedral in Newcastle, sending sweeping dragoon raids through central Europe or establishing the city of Leeds at the head of the Nile, it's a game that keeps on giving, though, admittedly, mainly to people who attach a nostalgic joy to sitting in their room with curtains closed orchestrating the defeat of the Roman Empire.

Well, it was nice to have a life and friends but I've got more important things to get on with now.