1602 A.D. is the year, cities are overcrowded, poverty and starvation abound. A small band of voyagers set sail to discover new territories and hopefully, a new life. In 1602 A.D. players join the ranks of explorers and pioneers in colonizing new cities, juggling the demands of diplomacy, developing industry, setting up trade routes, and engaging in war fare to save their new civilization. 1602 A.D. utilizes empire-building skills such as colonization, trade, diplomacy, and industry while civilization many ways, including thought the use of trade and diplomacy, by reaching civilization milestones, and even by conquering all other opponents.