Re: Human Moderated Games?

From: karkarodon@aol.comNOSPAM (Karkarodon)

Date: Fri, 02 Apr 1999 00:00:00 +0000

<< Are there still any 100% human-moderated games out
there? >>

Yes!  Brass Dragon Games currently runs CONQUEST, which is run by human
moderators.  The cost is $6.00 a turn, and turns come out about every four to
six weeks.  Includes a high quality graphic map, newsletter per section, etc.,
etc.  Considered one of the best PBM's by Paper Mayhem, and Brass Dragon Games
has always been considered one of the better PBM companies.

Brass Dragon Games is a small business that offers play-by-mail (PBM) games
that focus on the role-playing experience. We began with the idea that a game
should be fun and flexible rather than devoted to crunching numbers and
outspending other players. There are many PBMs on the market, but most are
computer-moderated, limiting the player�s options and providing little return
on your money. It is our goal to provide games that can grow with your
imagination, beyond the limits of a computer program.
	Presently, our main feature is Conquest, a fantasy role-play simulation. Each
player adopts the position of a leader in a fantasy world called Alandane.
Players can choose from an assortment of races, cultures, and societies. Do you
yearn to be a lord or lady of your own manor, consorting with the royalty of
your court? Are the cavernous realms of dwarven clans an atraction for their
splendor and riches? Do the scattered elvish tribes, whether forest warrior or
philosopher wizard, call to your wisdom in developing their unification?
Perhaps you wish to study the arcane arts from your isolated tower on the hill,
while overseeing the gnome peasants toiling under your gaze? Better still, the
sea is in your blood and sailors call out your name as you lead pirate ships
towards their new prey along the shipping lanes....or choose to be the
merchants preparing to fend off the braggart pirate captain.
	Yet, there are other possibilities. Lead rampaging hordes of barbarians or
ogres against the weak human settlements. Raise armies of undead and demons in
your unholy realm and conquer the unsuspecting cities near your growing shadow.
Hunt down your enemies as a goblin chieftan or pillage the lands with your
orcish tribes. Even the life of the feared dragon, inspiring loyalty and
bringing tribute from the lowly humans nearby, can be for you to experience in
Conquest. King or queen, human or orc, demon-lord or demon-killer, the choices
are yours.
	Conquest is a role-playing experience since it is a real person who handles
the moderation duties of the game, not a computer. Each turn, you submit a list
of instructions to the Moderator, detailing how to spend your gold, what do
with your military, where to send the hirelings, and any other actions you wish
to pursue. The lands are rich in history, magic, and of course, danger. Yet,
there are great rewards for the brave and daring. Whether you pursue the
interpersonal relations with other players or simply focus on internal
exploration and knowledge, Conquest is a fascinating game of discovery and
growth. Every game Section is different, each with unique peoples and
treasures.
	For more information, contact us at the mail or email address provided above.
We will send you details concerning game startup, turn speed, and answer any
questions. Welcome to the world of Alandane!

Currently, Conquest runs about once every 5 weeks, at $6.00 per turn.  It is
heavily player interactive (we have a message board on the net for each
Conquest section).  The reason for the slower turn around is that each section
is hand moderated, which means each word is written by a human being each turn.
 That takes far more time then just plugging in numbers and getting a print
out, like you do with some play-by-mail games.

For more information, contact Karkarodon@aol.com

I hope everyone is well!

Joseph Naftali
Creator/Writer of The Dark
Owner of Brass Dragon Games
Moderator of Conquest Section F

"If we increase the size of the penguin until it is the same height
as the man, and then compare the relative brain sizes, we now find
that the penguin's brain is still smaller.  But - and this is the
point - it is larger than it was!"

References

Human Moderated Games?
"Joseph Bloch" <jkbloch@earthlink.net>
Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:00:00 +0000