Epic (play-by-mail game)
{{Short description|Play-by-mail fantasy game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox game
| name = Epic
| subtitle =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| width =
| label_width =
| other_names = Epic: The King's Game
| AKA =
| manufacturer =
| designer = Jim Landes
| publisher = Midnight Games
| years = 1985 to unknown
| genre = Role-playing, play-by-mail
| language = English
| system =
| players =
| setup_time =
| playing_time = unlimited
| random_chance =
| materials = Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
| media_type = Play-by-mail or email
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Epic is a computer-moderated, fantasy play-by-mail (PBM) game.
Publication history
Epic was a computer-moderated, fantasy PBM game. Jim Landes designed the game and moderated it with his wife. Their company was Midnight Games.Townsend 1987. p. 27. The game was published in 1985.Editors 1985. p. 39. Flagship editors compared the game to Quest of the Great Jewels, Tribes of Crane, and Earthwood. By 1988 the game was enjoying success in Australia, Great Britain, and the United States.Vale 1988. p. 5. By 1992 a new edition was introduced—Epic: The King's Game.Bunker 1992. p. 34.
Gameplay
The Epic world comprised 22,000 provinces of varying types. Players could choose six character types: Arch-Priest, Merchant, Necromancer, Nomad, Warlord, and Wizard. Races were similar to those in Dungeons & Dragons, with additional races such as saurian, maratasen, and dak. Combat, diplomacy, and intrigue were elements of gameplay.
Reception
The editors of Flagship reviewed Epic in 1985, stating that it was "one of the year's more impressive new offerings, and worth a look if you fancy a fantasy wargame".Editors 1985. p. 40. A reviewer in a 1987 issue of Paper Mayhem gave the game a mixed review, noting its quantitative nature and detailed rulebook as a drawback for a fantasy game.Townsend 1987. p. 30. John Woods reviewed Epic in a 1989 issue of The Games Machine, stating that it was "one of the best computer-moderated wargames on the market".Woods 1989. p. 63.
In 1988, the game tied for 5th place in Paper Mayhem's Best PBM Game of 1988, along with Crack of Doom and Quest of the Great Jewels.Editors 1988. p. 2.{{efn|1st place in 1988 went to Supernova II, 2nd place went to Hyborian War, and Duelmasters and Alamaze tied for 3rd place.}} In 1990, the game tied for 5th place again, with Supernova II, in Paper Mayhem's Best PBM Game of 1990.Editors 1990. p. 2.{{efn|1st place in 1990 went to Legends, 2nd place to The Next Empire, 3rd to Alamaze, and 4th place to Monster Island.}} Robert J. Bunker reviewed Epic: The King's Game in 1992, stating it was "enjoyable, well thought-out and supported by one of the most reputable companies in PBM gaming".
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Bunker|first= Robert J.|title= Epic: The King's Game Review|magazine=Paper Mayhem|date= March–April 1992|issue= 53|pages= 34−35|ref=Bun92}}
- {{cite magazine |author= ((Editors))|title= The Spokesmen Speak: Epic|magazine=Flagship|date= Autumn 1985|edition=U.S.|issue= 8|pages= 39−40|ref=Edi85}}
- {{cite magazine |author= ((Editors))|title= Best PBM Game of 1988|magazine=Paper Mayhem|date= November–December 1988|issue= 33|page= 2|ref=Edi88}}
- {{cite magazine |author= ((Editors))|title= Best PBM Game of 1990|magazine=Paper Mayhem|date= November–December 1990|issue= 45|page= 2|ref=Edi90}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Plunkett|first=Rex|date=August–September 1987 |title= Get Nasty In Epic|magazine= D2 Report: The Play-by-Mail Gamer's Reading Companion |number=13|pages= 37–38|ref=Plu87 }}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Sullivan|first=Tim|date=February–March 1988 |title= From the Helm|magazine= D2 Report: The Play-by-Mail Gamer's Reading Companion |number=15|pages= 29–30 |ref=Sul88}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Townsend|first= Jim|title= The Epic Adventures of the Extortion Contortion|magazine=Paper Mayhem|date= July–August 1987|issue= 25|pages= 27–30|ref=Tow87}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Woods|first=John|title= PBM Update: Epic Proportions|magazine=The Games Machine|date= October 1989|issue= 23|page= 63|ref=Woo89}}
{{refend}}
Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Thomas|first= Cameron|title= Starting with an Edge in Epic: The King's Game|magazine=Paper Mayhem|date= September–October 1990|issue= 44|page= 14|ref=Tho90}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Vale|first=Paul|title= The Paths to Epic Success (Part 1)|magazine=Flagship|date= 1988|edition=U.S.|issue= 19|pages= 5−7|ref=Val88}}
- {{cite magazine |last= Vale|first=Paul|title= The Paths to Epic Success (Part 2)|magazine=Flagship|date= February 1989|edition=U.S.|issue= 20|pages= 45−46|ref=Val88}}
{{refend}}
{{Play-by-mail games}}
Category:American role-playing games
Category:Fantasy role-playing games
Category:Role-playing games introduced in the 1980s