Galactic Empires (game)

Galactic Empires
DesignersOriginal design by Daniel Pierce (1979), David Pierce (1996) and Mark Wardell (2018)
PublishersPierce Enterprises (1979-1996), Wy'East Games (1996-present)
PublicationSeptember 1979
Years active1979-2002, restarting late 2024.
Genreswargame, science fiction, play-by-mail
LanguagesEnglish
PlayersUnlimited
Setup time5 minutes
Playing time20-60 minutes per turn. Potential of hours corresponding with other players planning and negotiating.
ChanceMedium
SkillsNegotiation, Strategy game
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email

Galactic Empires is a space-based open-end, play-by-mail (PBM) wargame.

History and development

Galactic Empires was a computer moderated.[1] open-ended, space-based, science fiction play-by-mail wargame of medium complexity published by Pierce Enterprises and later by Wy'East Games. The game launched in 1979 and was "well established" by 1984.[2] By 1986, some of the empires were "massive".[3] Turns had no time limit, enabling overseas players as well.[3] The game designer was Dan Pierce, who attempted to improve on Starweb.[3] By 1985, the publisher had moved the game system from a "TRS 80-1 to a Tandy 1200 HD" for speed and expansion purposes.[4] Dan eventually lost interest in the game, so his brother David took over for many year. In the Mid-90's Mark Wardell, Wy'East Games, took over first under a licensing agreement and later purchasing the game outright.

Gameplay

Gameplay shared similarities with Starweb.[2] Four empires types were available: "Empire Builder, Star Merchant, Xenophobe, [and] Pirate".[3] Players choose between four character types.[2] Available elements include "ships, ground based military equipment, economic components, etc.", providing gameplay options for players.[2]

Reception

Dave Weidner reviewed the game in a 1986 issue of Flagship. He gave it a generally positive review, stating that "In all, Galactic Empires is a game that is simple enough for a novice, while still challenging enough for the most advanced player, at a reasonable cost".[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Balicki 1983. p. 20.
  2. ^ a b c d McLain 1984. p. 43.
  3. ^ a b c d Weidner 1986. p. 18.
  4. ^ Editors 1985. p. 29.
  5. ^ Weidner 1986. pp. 18–20.

Bibliography

  • Balicki, Rick (1983). "Game Reviewers Notebook: Galactic Empires". The Nuts & Bolts of PBM. No. 15. p. 20.
  • Editors (Summer 1985). "The Spokesmen Speak: Galactic Empires". Flagship. No. 7. p. 29.
  • McLain, Bob (January–February 1984). "Gamealog: Galactic Empires". Gaming Universal. No. 2. p. 43.
  • Weidner, Dave (Spring 1986). "Galactic Empires: Free-Wheeling Mayhem". Flagship. No. 10. pp. 18, 20.