Rome may not have been built in a day, but gamers can achieve that goal with Europa Universalis Rome: Gold Edition, the strategy game now available for Mac OS X from Virtual Programming.

This edition packages the previously-available Europa Universalis: Rome with its Vae Victus expansion pack, which features a variety of improvements to the core game, including rewards for players who complete missions and the ability for players to trigger events at their discretion.

Here's how the game is described: "Europa Universalis Rome: Gold Edition covers the years 280 BC to 27 BC, beginning with the first Punic War and ending as the true Roman Empire flourishes. Players can start a game at any date in that range and choose from among 10 different cultures, including the Roman, Celtic, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations, with over 53 playable factions vying for control of a map covering hundreds of provinces. Players trade, negotiate, or fight with their neighbors, dealing with many different historical characters as they advance their technologies.

"Those historical characters are given a personality overhaul in the Vae Victus expansion pack, with the ability to interact with them in more ways, including options to imprison, banish, or execute, or award titles and promotions. The user interface has also been revamped, and the military artificial intelligence has been given an upgrade to make it more challenging. When players tire of computer-controlled opponents, they can head online, where up to 32 gamers can compete in competitive or co-op mode."

Europa Universalis Rome: Gold Edition is available now at Virtual Programming's Deliver2Mac digital download service (http://www.deliver2mac.com/). Pricing is US$29.95.

System requirements call for: Mac OS X 10.5.8, an Intel processor, 1GB RAM, a 128MB video card (Nvidia GeForce 7300 or ATI RadeonHD 2600/4850/4870 or better), 1.2GB of hard disk space, and a broadband Internet connection for product registration and online multiplayer. Intel GMA integrated graphics chipsets and ATI X1600 and X1900 video cards aren't supported.