Multiuser Space Colonize and Conquest From: tom@tnc.UUCP (Tom Buchsbaum) Date: Sun, 28 Oct 1990 17:38:11 +0000 Galactic Challenge Documentation Galactic Challenge is a multi-player game that runs for 24 hours 7 days a week, for 2 to 4 weeks. You may join a game in progress at any point. The object of the game is to control the most resources, and to own the largest, highest standard of living, colonies. Scenario The game begins as a great homestead exploration race. A previously uninhabited galaxy has been earmarked for colonization. Five hundred star systems exist in the galaxy with as many as five habitable planets each. The Federation of Galaxies has established three outpost colonies to service the needs of the colonists. The elite, the smartest, the best managers, the best warriors of the universe have been invited to compete to see who shall become Ruler of the new galaxy. You, the player, are one of these priveledged elite. The success of the Federation of Galaxies has been largely the result of its strong commitment to competition, survival of the fittest, and free markets. As part of the invita- tion, the federation will provide you with certain resources which will allow you to explore the new galaxy, finding the most habitable planets, and allow you to colonize as many as six of them at any one time. Each planet that you select to colonize will be given certain starting resources including a small number of factories and 4000 housing units. The Federation will also provide free transportation to colonists to your colony from other overcrowded galaxies - as fast as you can build housing for them - if you allow immigration to your colony. At the end of 14 to 28 game years (2 to 4 weeks in real time), the Ruler of the galaxy is chosen. He is the leader of the team with the highest score. Also honored are the players with the highest and second highest individual scores. Then honors are given to all members of the winning team. Like diplomacy, every kind of deception, lying, back-stabbing and overt attack is allowed. Unlike diplomacy, there is a team aspect to this game where honor and duty are meaningful. Characters in this game go on to explore a new galaxy again every 28 days. They carry their reputaion with them. Spies, liars, and teammates who let you down in a pinch don't get invited to join a good team a second time! Colony Management There are many ways that you can alter and control the way a colony operates and grows in order to achieve your objectives. When first establish- ed, the colony is set up to grow slowly but conservatively. You are encouraged to adjust its parameters, but be careful - adjust only one or two things at a time, adjust only by small amounts, and carefully inspect the results of your change. Learn by experimenting. Colonies will quickly self destruct if you don't understand what your changing, or change parameters in a drastic or radical way. Each colony has eleven industries. Each industry has certain outputs and inputs. You control the labor input directly, and control the new factories allocated to the industry. You also control the technology level of each industry by spending research points as you wish. Battle There are many dimensions of battle. There is simple economic dominance of the 24 trade sectors. There is ship to ship battle with phasers, torps and missiles, with real time radio communication between allied ships to coordinate their attacks. And there are planetary attacks with fighters, troops, nukes, environmental slime weapons, and even planet crackers to deprive your opponents of their populations and economic base. For more information, call the public unix board, "The Next Challenge" at 703-239-8993. Tom Buchabaum tom@tnc.UUCP = uunet!tnc!tom Up