Supernova II

Supernova II
Other namesSuperNova II
DesignersPeter Donnan and Russel Norris
PublishersRolling Thunder Games
Years active1989 to unknown
Genresscience fiction, play-by-mail
LanguagesEnglish
Playing timeFixed
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email

Supernova II (or SuperNova II) is a computer moderated, play-by-mail (PBM) game of space conflict.

History and development

Supernova II was a play-by-mail game of space conflict designed by Peter Donnan and Russel Norris and published by Rolling Thunder Games.[1] Flagship editor Tim Sullivan called it a "sophisticated space opera".[2] It was released in the U.S. and UK in February and August 1989, respectively.[3] It improved on their initial offering of Supernova.[4] Supernova II was computer moderated, an update from Supernova's hand-moderation.[3] By 2004, Rolling Thunder Games released Supernova III.[5]

Gameplay

Players custom designed ships for assignment in fleets which could take offensive or defensive actions.[4] Twelve ship types were available.[4] These included: Colonial Transports, Destroyers, Escort Carriers, Explorers, Fast Freighters, Fleet Scouts, Frigates, Heavy Freighters, Heavy Troop Transports, Light Cruisers, Star Destroyers, and Troop Transports.[4] Players selected a race to play as well, a consequential choice for gameplay.[3]

According to Wayne Mohan, "SuperNova is the Commando unit, a small, elite band of your finest" which can explore or accomplish other tasks.[6] Intrigue and diplomacy were elements of gameplay.[6] Both combat between ships and ground combat were possible.[4]

Gameplay in Supernova II was challenging and careful play in the first eight months was critical to success.[7] The editors of Flagship stated that it was "one of the hardest games to play well from turn 1".[3] Rick McFarland put its complexity just below games like Empyrean Challenge.[8]

Reception

A reviewer in the September–October 1987 issue of Paper Mayhem highly recommended Supernova II, stating it was "an improvement over the original in almost every area".[6] He noted that combat played a greater role and gameplay was challenging.[6] As of November 1989, Supernova II was the highest rated game of 53 listed PBM games in Paper Mayhem.[9][a] In the November–December 1989 issue of Paper Mayhem, Supernova II took 1st place in the Best PBM Game of 1989 list.[10] The game also took 1st place in the magazine's Best PBM Game of 1989 list.[11]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Games were rated on "playability, design, ease of understanding the rules, and ease of understanding game printouts" with Supernova II scoring 7.732 out of 9 points from 60 registered votes.

References

  1. ^ Mohan 1987. pp. 10, 13.
  2. ^ Sullivan 1988. p. 30.
  3. ^ a b c d McFarland 1989. p. 16.
  4. ^ a b c d e Mohan 1987. p. 10.
  5. ^ Burlingame 2004. p. 10.
  6. ^ a b c d Mohan 1987. p. 13.
  7. ^ Bunker 1988. p. 24.
  8. ^ McFarland 1989. p. 12.
  9. ^ Editors 1990. p. 2.
  10. ^ Editors 1989. p. 2.
  11. ^ Editors 1990. p. 2.

Bibliography

  • Bunker, Robert J. (January–February 1988). "Empire Management – A Survival Guide for Supernova II". Paper Mayhem. No. 28. pp. 24–27.
  • Bunker, Robert J. (March–April 1988). "Death Machine Alliance Formation in Supernova II". Paper Mayhem. No. 29. pp. 27–29.
  • Burlingame, Martin (February–March 2004). "Supernova III: A Pirate's Viewpoint". Flagship. No. 106. pp. 10–11.
  • Editors (November–December 1989). "Best PBM Game of 1988". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 2.
  • Editors (January–February 1990). "Best PBM Game of 1989". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 2.
  • Editors (January–February 1990). "Best PBM Game Ratings as of 11-12-89". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 23.
  • Mohan, Wayne (September–October 1987). "Supernova II: More Guts, More Glory". Paper Mayhem. No. 26. pp. 8–10.
  • Mohan, Wayne (September–October 1989). "Supernova II: (Upgrade), The Early Strategy and Exploits of a Seeker Review Position in the New Star Region of Rigel". Paper Mayhem. No. 38. pp. 6–11.
  • Mohan, Wayne (November–December 1989). "Supernova II Continued". Paper Mayhem. No. 39. pp. 16–19.
  • Sullivan, Tim (February–March 1988). "From the Helm: Supernova II". The D2 Report. No. 30. p. 30.

Further reading

  • McFarland, Rick (1989). "The Young Race's Guide to Supernova II". Flagship. No. 23. pp. 10–11.
  • McFarland, Rick (1989). "Supernova II: Birth of an Empire". Flagship. No. 24. pp. 12–14.
  • McFarland, Rick (March 1990). "[Supernova II] Economic Superpower". Flagship. No. 25. pp. 17–18.
  • McFarland, Rick (May 1990). "War in Supernova II". Flagship. No. 26. pp. 34–36.