Star Sgaaga! From: Chris.Brannon@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Chris Brannon) Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1992 23:13:58 +0000 :> To: Chris.Brannon@lambada.oit.unc.edu :> Subject: Re: Star Saga :> Organization: University of Nevada, Reno Department of Computer Science :> Cc: :> :> I'm afraid I'm not involved, but I'm curious ... Is this game :> at all related to Star Saga the Computer game... either way if you :> have the time to input a description I'd be much obliged. :> :) :> Steve I'm not familiar with the computer game, but I know they are not related. Star Saga is a long running, open-ended PBM that started about 8 years ago. The game is radically different than it was way back them, though (:-)) The Alpha Galaxy is still very active, and does get enough new players that things are relatively balanced. Last January Infinite Odysseys (which runs the game) opened up a completely separate Beta Galaxy, with all new players, starting from scratch. Everyone runs a world, with very different lifeforms. Basically, you have a certain number of "design points" which allow you to start with different abilities. Some of these points go to Technology (11 categories, ranging from Weaponry to Colonization), others to your world size (the larger the world, the higher the production amount, but the harder it is to raise your technology), and you can also customize your lifeform. Everything you do to your lifeform affects its ability to fight, its adaptability to new environments (important for colonization), and its ability to research. There are a variety of mental abilities to choose from, such as telepathy and even teleportation. These abilities can be increased in range and effect, but have to be researched just like regular Technology is. There are numerous ship types, such as Heavy Fighters, Carriers, Frigates, Drydocks, and Cargo Ships (probably 20 of these sorts of vessels). Which ships you can build depends upon your Production Technology Level. In addition, there are the warships. As you get higher technology, you can build bigger warships, with bigger guns. They start out at 15,000 tons, and eight years later, I am at 32 million tons... That is a BIG ship! The object is to explore and expand! There are thousands of star systems, each with planets (1-10). You can explore the planets and find techno goodies, such as devices to increase your population growth rate and technology, weapons, city and planet shields, etc. Your home coordinate is 0, 0, 0, and the galaxy (the new one) is 100x80x9 sectors (max one system per sector). You do not know where another player is until you find them, and you have no clue as to where you are located in the galaxy, so if you join with a friend, expect to do some extensive mapping before locating him! Battle in this game will consist of tens of thousands of vessels between developed empires. You can take over other's worlds, and add them to your own production capabilities. In order to subjugate a world, you must defeat the space fleet, any orbiting defenses, then the ground based defenses, and then your Land Units must engage the defending Land Units (Regulars, Special Forces, and Heavy Weapons) who have the advantage of Strongholds and various Mass Destruction Bombs (governed, of course, by your MDB Technology). This is one hell of a game! One of its best features is the Special Order, through which you can genetically alter your lifeform (if you have the money), design new ships and defensive units, etc. The only down side to this game is that the turn around time is very erratic. My last turn returned to me w/i 6 days, but four turns ago, I waited 4 weeks. This is due to the Moderators passion for improving the game, updated rules, adding new options and abilities, etc. He also has a real job ;-) !!!! For what it is worth, I have run 23 turns since late January in the new (Beta) galaxy. It is mostly computer run (IBM'ers can send their turns in via disk, but not through e-mail, yet), but there is great flexibility. I have played a lot of games, and I have never found a game with this many options. Turns are $5, with the option to spend a couple of more bucks for more fleet movements (with so many ships, it takes a long time to enter them!) or more Special Orders. I have explored a little over 300 planets so far, and haven't quite explored every system within 3 sectors of my homeworld. If you want to take a look at the rules, write: Infinite Odysseys POB 1024 La Porte, TX 77572-1024 Rules and two free turns is $12.75. You can buy the rules for $5, which can later be applied towards the $12.75 set up fee. I cannot emphasis enough how enjoyable this game is! Chris Brannon ChrisBrannon@Delphi.Com Chris.Brannon@bbs.oit.unc.edu Chris.Brannon@lambada.oit.unc.edu -- The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service. internet: bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80 Up