Solaria - WEB based pbem comments

From: flemyng@cse.ucsc.edu (E.P. Flemyng)

Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 00:00:00 +0000

I recently joined the on-line game _Eath_2025_ by Solaria Interactive. I
am curious about other players' comments and thoughts on the game. Both
my partner and I are playing, and while we enjoy the game, we're curious
about some things.

First, there's the problem of connectivity. I understand that the
designers didn't intend for such a large player population joining so
fast, and it is often (frustrating) difficult to even log in. Once in,
it is common for your connection to be refused in mid-turn because of
demand. Obviously, for a free game, this is a problem to be endured.

While the play is straightforward and understandable, the game suffers
from the normal or common situation of military prowess and nothing but
military prowess. There's no option really besides an ongoing arm's
race, building armaments, attacking other players, building more
armaments, etc. Since the game is supposed to be set in the near future,
a future of imperial rebuilding, this is somewhat understandable, but
leads to predictable and monotonous play. I doubt either my partner or I
will stay with the game much more than a few a more weeks.

How do you build a game that appeals to male and female players of all
ages, allows new players a chance to survive, is simple to run, yet
provides multiple options or pathways to fame and success? International
trade, aerospace research and development, resource management, domestic
policies, realistic relationships between resources and output...all of
these would make the game much more appealing, challenging and
interesting.

I don't know. Any one else out there playing the game who wants to
comment on my comments? I realize I "typoed" up at the top. The game is
titled _Earth_2025_.

Ciao, EPFlemyng