Re: Anybody playing Phoenix/BSE?

From: "G Thatcher" <thatcher.int@sk.sympatico.ca>

Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:17:25 +0000

Thanks Rob.

Excellent response!

Greg

> I suppose you wanted more than that....
>
> Phoenix has replaced UK-BSE, with an entirely new game engine but the
> same background. All existing positions have been converted, so
> essentially you have a well-designed modern game system (which
> benefits from a decade of experience with BSE) along with an
> established player base and game background.
>
> It's early days yet, but it looks as if Phoenix provides all the good
> features of BSE, while eliminating most of the problems. I played BSE
> about five years ago, and dropped out for various reasons, but have
> come back for Phoenix.
>
> Essentially, I've never found anything better than BSE for
> large-scale, affiliation based war and power gaming. The game design
> is very 'solid', all game positions can be built by players, and in
> general the game is very player-driven. There are a large number of
> standard orders, with the option of hand-moderated special actions.
>
> The affiliations (player groups) are generally tight-nit and
> supportive, which makes for an excellent team-play atmosphere.  Short
> travel times (six weeks maximum) allow aff members to assist each
> other easily, and for dramatic events to unfold rapidly. This is not
> the age of sail; inter-aff politics happens at contemporary speeds.
>
> BSE had a number of serious flaws, mostly to do with pricing. Each and
> every ship, colony or ground party had it's own turns and incurred its
> own turn fee. Value for money was fairly poor, and in the event of war
> your weekly expenditure could skyrocket. Some game aspects were very
> lacking: inter-player trade and commerce was technically possible, but
> in practice there was nothing to be gained from it.
>
> Pheonix, by comparison, has fully automated turn processing (apart
> from special actions). This allows much better value for money, and
> your weekly expenditure will be mostly stable. Postal play, however,
> incurs additional per-turn charges that can make it very expensive.
> Email play is definitely preferable.
>
> Pheonix has developed the combat system somewhat, introducing a
> variety of new strategic issues, but more importantly the trade and
> espionage rules have been massively improved. The consensus is that
> trade will be much more prevalent in Phoenix.
>
> I would suggest that Phoenix is not very suitable for lone-wolf
> players, nor for those who don't like player-vs-player combat. It's a
> dangerous universe out there, although you'll have your affiliation to
> back you up. Exploration can be expensive (in real terms), though also
> quite rewarding as it supports the development of your starbases.
>
> Phoenix runs every week day, with battles and the like happening on a
> daily basis. This may make it difficult to play if you have a busy
> schedule - if one of your positions is attacked, you'll want to
> respond in time for the next day's run. On the plus side, ships can
> store up five days worth of time, and can queue an unlimited number of
> orders in advance.
>
> You can start off in Phoenix for free, controlling just ships and
> ground parties. Political and starbase positions incur a weekly
> charge.
>
>
>
> rob

References

Anybody playing Phoenix/BSE?
"G Thatcher" <thatcher.int@sk.sympatico.ca>
Sun, 16 Mar 2003 18:02:00 +0000
Re: Anybody playing Phoenix/BSE?
keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)
Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:27:39 +0000
Re: Anybody playing Phoenix/BSE?
keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)
Tue, 18 Mar 2003 11:24:47 +0000