![[Ooops]](boom.jpg "Advice - Good and Bad?")
| I do not play
this game - but I've been "looking in from the outside" as it were -
but this is my basic understanding of what I see...? For those who
haven't heard of it before! Firstly - it's an internet game - a highly complex Sci-Fi multiplayer, war, commerce, alliance and mayhem game. There are a number of "alien" races you can choose to play as.  this image is copyright Kenneth WissemanSecondly - it's played by e-mail (PBEM) using a rather cool Graphical User Inteface (GUI). Some sites host games and players join into a particular game scenario and submit orders on a regular basis - these orders are resolved as a "turn" and the results reported - again graphically. A game scenario can take many weeks to play. A screenshot???  click on the image for a larger view? Thirdly - it is still under Beta test (not really ready yet) and a large community is playing it knowing that there are bugs still - and are helping the creator - Tim Wisseman - (a kind of "one-man-band") - to find those bugs and to fine tune the thing to perfection.  this image is copyright Kenneth WissemanFourthly - These players know that Tim is creating this thing to make his fortune (hopefully)- and are willing to help. Some want to create software tools and new races to be included as "3rd Party Races" - for free - just to see this thing succeed. Some 3rd Party Races have already been incuded and there are a number of well used assistant tools also available.  this image is copyright Kenneth WissemanTim has this loyal support because of his relationship with his players - they know he is creating a concise and detailed game that won't just be one of those "flashes-in-the-pan" - i.e. NOT one of those commercial thrash-it-out - reap the reapy stuff - and then drop it and forget it things.... Other stuff ? Well - it's the Sci-Fi wargamer's dream!? You need to have a dedication to detailed control of your situation in most cases and be prepared to spend an hour or two a few times a week to submit your orders (besides reporting bugs, exchanging banter/bravura with other players and understanding why your tactics succeeded or failed utterly!). The previous version VGAP3 is still very popular too. Basically? The game suits analytical wargamers So I suspect players are either a) Brilliant b) Stupid c) One of the above? The player mix seems to be primarily? (in no particular order) Natonalities? a mix of American, UK, German, Scandinavian, Australian, Spanish and....well, wherever this place was?  Occupations? a) Software Student Sci-Fi Addicts b) Software Professional Sci-Fi Addicts c) Sci -Fi addicts d) other Sci-Fi Addicts Attitude? a) humourously belligerent b) good mannered but bonkers d) raving I am almost tempted to play myself ! Then again - I'm a Hardware Engineer? |