Phoenix Playtest From: den@netcom.com (Gamer's Den) Date: Mon, 18 Apr 1994 19:44:27 +0000 > > > PHOENIX PLAYTEST < < < Gamer's Den plans to start the playtest for Phoenix this week, and we are looking for eager players to help us out. We will host 3 playtest games, each containing between 16 and 20 players. Two of the games will process 3 times a week while one will process once a week. If you are interested, please drop us a line at support@den.com (Internet) or 73613,3472 (CompuServe) and tell us which turn frequencies you are willing to play. You can found out more about Gamer's Den from readmes by emailing info@den.com on the Internet or downloading the file INFO.DEN in library 15 of the PBMGAMES forum on CompuServe. PLAYTEST OVERVIEW The playtest covers testing our automated signup, processing, and billing system as well as checking out the game itself. Your feedback will help us smooth out any wrinkles. As a playtester, we will ask you to play in one of the three games throughout the test period. We will run these games to their logical conclusion even if they extend beyond the playtest period. In addition, we will occasionally ask you to perform a project that tests a portion of our system, both mechanically and from a potential customer standpoint. These projects should never take more than half an hour of your time. Games average 30 turns in length. All playtesters will receive a free draft copy of the printed rules (150+ pages). In addition, we will distribute a player interface program for PC's (MSDOS) for your evaluation sometime after the playtest begins. Some of the games may include experienced Phoenix players, maybe even a designer or two. Beware <g>!! ABOUT THE GAME Phoenix is an elegant, engaging and well-balanced PBEM space game of diplomacy, exploration, economic expansion, and military conquest for novice and expert players alike. Phoenix is the six-year-old brainchild of veteran game designers Garrett, Goodman, and Woods. You control a space empire composed of one of seven different racial types expanding from a single homeworld. Your goal is to control over half the galaxy, either singly or jointly with up to a quarter of the players in the game. Pump R&D points into your combat, sensor, jump drive, and science technologies. Balance your military and economic growth as you explore the galaxy and search for your neighbors. Drop off command centers on secure planets to monitor and direct your expansion. Centralize your production on a few planets or distribute your efforts. Most important, negotiate with other players while paying close attention to the planet tally to ensure you are one of the winners. HIGHLIGHTS - A constant pool of new games to join. - Compete against real human opponents. - Public games open to all Gamer's Den members. - Special private games for you and your friends. - Game sizes ranging from 2 to 20 players. - Turn based gaming with 1 or 3 turns per week. - Submit your turns and receive results using Internet email or CompuServe's PBMGAMES forum. - Up to 200 orders per turn submission. - Game mechanics and order format that are easy to understand. - Captivating game play. - Prechecking for all turn submissions to help spot order errors before a turn runs. - Forecasting ability uncovers grave tactical errors before they 'happen' to you. - MSDOS turn viewer/generator coming Fall '94. The size of the galaxy scales with the number of players, and a new balanced map is generated for each game. Beginners are encouraged to start in smaller games to become accustomed to the system, and then move to larger games to delve into Machiavellian diplomacy at its finest. --------- We hope to hear from you!!! Gamer's Den ps BTW, Phoenix is an excellent game. Phoenix Copyright (c) Garrett, Goodman and Woods 1988-1994 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Up