Rise of Nations is a real-time strategy game about human history and civilzation. Real-time means that the events in the game continue as you play rather than waiting for you to prepare and take a "turn." This makes this a much faster game than Civilization III, with which it has many things in common.

"The entire span of human history is in your hands" is the theme of this game. Players get to create new cities, improve city infrastructures and expand national borders. They get to conquer foes through military might using everything from sling-shots to cannons to stealth bombers to nuclear weapons; they get to corner the market on key commodities and consolidate power under your rule; wheel and deal across time with history's eminent cultures.

In addition to the option of going to war, players can gain dominion through non-military strategies including espionage, diplomacy, technology races and territory expansion.