Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
Power (game)
Space-based play-by-mail game of intrigue From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
Power (also Power+) is a closed-end, computer-moderated, play-by-mail space-based game of intrigue. It was published by Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI). By late 1985, an updated version of the game, Power+, had replaced Power. Gameplay involved 40 players vying for rulership of a space empire comprising 35 planets. Players could interact with hundreds of non-player forces including dozens of organization types and individuals. Each turn, players chose from a menu of available actions, many related to intrigue.
Remove ads
History and development
Power was published by Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI).[1] The medium complexity game was computer moderated and closed-ended.[1] By late 1985, an updated version of the game, Power+, had replaced Power.
Gameplay
40 players per game vie for rulership of a space empire comprising 35 planets.[2] 585 non-player forces (NPFs) were in play, ranging from military and government organizations to civilian groups and individuals of various types.[2] Victory conditions varied by player.[3] They generally required 16 turns controlling the throne and many NPFs, although eliminating all other players also worked.[4] To be crowned ruler, players required "popularity, wealth, and Senate approval".[2]
NPFs included anti-Government groups, militaries, spies and assassins, guards, churches, courtiers, diplomats, entertainers, mercenaries, reporters, executives, PR men, police, Royal guards and servants, saboteurs, the Secret Service, the Senate, terrorists, and unions.[5]
Players chose up to twenty actions per turn from a menu. These included "investigation, movement, investment, propaganda, hiring NPFs ... slander, theft, blackmail, bribe ... assassination, [and] military combat".[2] The game was in a separate category of games with Illuminati in that "almost everything happens through manipulation of third parties rather than direct physical involvement".[6]
Remove ads
Reception
Bob McLain reviewed the game in a 1984 issue of Gaming Universal, stating, "This is ECI's first attempt at a totally computer moderated game, but they seem to have done an excellent job."[1]
See also
References
Bibliography
Further reading
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads