Machiavelli: PBEM Opponents Wanted From: "Richard Wein" <richard.wein@virgin.net> Date: Wed, 09 Jul 1997 00:00:00 +0000 Hi! I'm looking for opponents for a PBEM (Play by E-mail) game of Machiavelli the Prince (the game formerly known as Merchant Prince). In case you don't know anything about the game, let me give you a few details. Machiavelli is a game for up to 4 players, from Microprose. It seems to be little known, which is a shame, because I think it's got a lot going for it (despite a few flaws). Although no longer published as a separate game (as far as I know), you can still find it in some bargain bins - I picked up my copy for the ridiculous price of �2-99 (about 5 dollars). It's also just been re-released as part of a collection called "20 Giant Games". In Machiavelli, you control a powerful Venetian family, and are trying to make your family the richest. You send out ships and caravans to explore the world (which is initially unknown), find new cities, and establish trade routes with these cities, trading in up to 20 different commodities. Not all cities will allow your ships in, so you may have to bribe the city elders or hire a mercenary army and capture the city to gain access. You can also use armies to attack other players' armies and trade groups, but if you're caught you may lose popularity and have to pay compensation. Other features include: control of cardinals and senators; elections for the Pope and the Doge; assassinations, arson and slander; patronising the arts to raise your popularity; pirates, brigands and storms; Crusades, the Reformation and the Mongols. There's plenty of scope for diplomacy, backstabbing and general skullduggery. If this sounds interesting and you want to know more, please mail me. If you haven't got the game and can't find it, my local store still has some left. Tich <richard.wein@virgin.net> Up