We sure do like Civilization, but a browser-based, war-centric MMO with very similar sounding mechanics? That's something we could really get into. Lucky for us, Snail Games just announced that its free-to-play MMORTS Ministry of War, currently in beta, will launch next Wednesday, November 17.

Like Civ, MoW takes human history and drops it into an interactive playground. "Imperial Rome, Persia, Egypt, or China" are all at your disposal for world domination against other folks online, and beta users get a reward for participation with a "special in-game item pack." Snail Games promises that no more server wipes will take place after next Wednesday's launch, so now might be a good time to start plotting your path to hegemony.