Odyssey Playtest

From: den@netcom.com (Gamer's Den)

Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 07:20:57 +0000

ODYSSEY PLAYTEST

We are looking for 60 playtesters to help us put Odyssey through its paces.

Here's a brief blurb about Odyssey.

Odyssey is a PBEM game system wherein you control characters, armies,
        locations, and guilds and pursue personal and factional objectives.
        If you merge the depth of Legends with the ease of Middle Earth, and
        the newness of Suzerainty, you'll come close to what Odyssey offers.

You create your position complete with characters, items, spells,
        statuses, and troops when you sign up for a game.  Spend your points
        a few powerful characters or a swarm of novices.  Concentrate in
        arcane disciplines, covert activities, combative strength, pious
        fervor, or a little of everything.  Then pick where you want to
        set-up in the world, and when the game starts, you will be on your
        way.

As you play, you may pursue heroic quests, amass military might, gain
        prestige and glory, lay claim to titles and guilds, fight nasty
        beasts, collect magical items, and carve out your own niche.  Work on
        your own or with a group of players.  Your options are virtually
        limitless in the detailed fantasy world through the combination of
        hundreds of orders, spells, and features which Odyssey provides.
        Just use your imagination!

The first module featured on the Odyssey game system is called Heroes' Quest,
which is a long-but-close-ended scenario that has single player victory
conditions.

As a playtester, you join one of 6 10-player games.  Each game focuses on
on a different aspect of the game system and point in the module's power
curve.  We expect each game to process turns twice a week (fast!) for 4 to
5 weeks, at which time we pull the plug.  In addition to critiquing the
design, orders, and environment featured in Odyssey and Heroes' Quest, we
want playtesters to build the strongest position they can in the short
time-frame.  Each game will have a different metric for gauging a position's
strength.

The playtest is free of charge.  We wish to fill the game slots by Friday
morning, 1/27, and we will post electronic copies of the necessary
documentation for playtesters to download.  We will reward valued playtesters
with free turns in commercial Odyssey games.

If you would like to help out, we need the following information from you.

Name
        Email Address
        Related PB(E)M Gaming History
        Your Playing Style (diplomat? secretive? military?)
        Preferred Game, a combination of
                Early, Mid, or Late Game
                Character or Military Position

For example,

John Smallberries
        berries@yoyodyne.com
        I've played Legends, ME-PBM, and Quest.
        Since I'm a Red 'Lectroid from Planet 10, I enjoy amassing
        power quickly and humbling my foes.
        I'd prefer a military position in a mid or late game, but I'll
        take anything available.

Send the your request to support@den.com on the Internet or 73613,3472
on CompuServe.

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