The name of the scenario references its core feature—the dynamic "Rise and Fall" of civilizations through time—and its creator, Gabriele Trovato, known as "Rhye" in the forums community.

[3] The popularity of these prompted Civilization IV developers Firaxis to invite him to contribute content for inclusion in the game upon its release.

The first, RFC MP, was released on 21 October 2007 and enables multiplayer games of Rhye's and Fall of Civilization over the internet, LAN or locally in hotseat mode.

It is similar to regular Rhye's and Fall of Civilization but is played on a randomised map of various sizes, climates and "Earth likeness".

When a new civilization appears, any foreign cities in its core territory will "flip" to the new civ; this can have the effect of simulating such historical events as the breakup of the Roman Empire and the American Revolution.

If a "major power" controlled by the AI in the game becomes extremely unstable, it will cease to exist and its former territory will be split up into several independent nations.

A city afflicted with plague will lose one population point per turn, as well as a hefty unhealthiness penalty.

Units garrisoned in or close to plague-affected cities will take damage until they die or the plague ends.

Rhye's and Fall of Civilization is also designed to simulate the drastic impact that the arrival of Europeans had in the New World.

Unless they are destroyed by the conquistadors, Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Mayans typically become vassals to colonial powers, including Spain, France, England, and Portugal.

Upon completing two Unique Historical Victories, a Triumphal Arch is built in the capital which increases military unit production, and a new golden age starts.

Mercenary units have a civilization's name (or a barbarian city's name) attached as a prefix e.g. Thracian Crossbowman or Egyptian Swordsman.

The relationships between Civil Service, Constitution, Military Tradition, and Nationalism were completely rearranged so that Music and Military Tradition were no longer "dead end" technologies and Civil Service was now an optional prerequisite, rather than an absolute one, for many later-era technologies.

[14] A review of Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword also praised Rhye's and Fall for being superior to the official Firaxis game mods.