Re: Odyssey vs. Legends

From: Ted Thompson <ted-thompson@usa.net>

Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000

The reference to the Legends LTE as a dos program is true, but it
runs fine under all versions of Windows. The LPE which is a new GUI
(graphical user interface) is supposed to be much better, I haven't seen
it yet, but there is a large test base of I think at least 40 players
and the designer, using it to work out the kinks and put in the features
players will find making turns much easier and quicker. The only
downside I see of a game like Legends is that there is a learning curve,
you really need to read the full set of rules to get an idea of what is
possible in the game, use them some, ask questions on email lists, and
once you get the hang of it, you're fine. Basically I started out as a
hero to learn a subset of the orders and applicable rules, as my
position expanded, I incorporated more rules and orders, and grew from
there.

From my understand of Odessey, which I have never played, it was
designed very similar to Legends, I don't know if the designer or input
to the advisor was a former Legends players, but if you look at both
systems (which I did look at their rules) the similarities are extremely
nerve-wracking from a legal stand point. But then again, the courts have
no concept of reality on computers, and the computerized business
paradigm, and the intent of the law. So any difference on gaming would
be mind boggling.

Although I don't know how large a customer base Odessey has in
terms of each game played, I know I do enjoy playing a game that has as
many players as possible (that's the fun, player interaction) and
getting 150-200 players in a game (like certain variants or the 1st
couple games of a new module) is thrilling. There's just lots of
possibilities, on how the game is played and where the possible sites of
dominant power build. Basically, I know I'm a power builder, strategic
game type player. I like playing wargames, or empire building games. For
that type a player, Legends is the best I have seen, especially since
the designer speaks to the Legends populace through the email listserver
5 out of 7 days a week for feedback, opinions, clarification, of just
fun talking about stuff. Such an evolving game is hard to pull away
from. But with that, I probably wouldn't play Legends if they didn't
have their graphical user interface. Being, I'm impatient,  having to
wait for stuff via snail mail is a royal pain. Email is the best, and
their LTE helps me so much in doing the turns as an empire grows, since
the complexity grows as you as you grow and work with other players. I
wouldn't have decided to play if there was not email turns or LTE, I'm
sure of that.

> has such an interface. At the moment a Dos program
> called LTE (to process turns with, to import map data
> from your allies, etc), and this summer a Windows
> program called the LPE will be out which keeps
> track of ALL info in the game in a terrific way. As
> Legends is as complex as (your description of) Odessey,
> that will be a terrific tool! It also will allow entering
> orders at a mouse click, with on-line help, and importing
> and exporting of map and game info of allies.
>
> Hmm, I think I would nearly wanna bet that
> Midnight Games will win some award *again* NEXT year, with this
> great  LPE :). THIS year they got nominated on behalf of the expanded
> Legends II Rules (published last summer) as the best New Play By Mail
> game by GAMA (ORIGIN'S AWARD).  (They're voting  for the winner coming
>
> month(s), so I do not know the outcome yet) .
>
> kind regards,
> Aayko
> http://www.tip.nl/users/ayma/legends.html

References

Re: Odyssey vs. Legends
ayma@tip.nl
Wed, 20 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Odyssey vs. Legends
bergjeff@erols.com
Wed, 13 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Odyssey vs. Legends
"Greg Berger" <gberger@arcadis.be>
Thu, 14 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Odyssey vs. Legends
ayma@tip.nl
Wed, 20 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Odyssey vs. Legends
bergjeff@erols.com
Wed, 13 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Odyssey vs. Legends
"Greg Berger" <gberger@arcadis.be>
Thu, 14 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000