Power (game)
{{Short description|Space-based play-by-mail game of intrigue}}
{{Infobox game
| name = Power
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| publisher = Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI)
| years = ~1990 to current
| genre = Role-playing, science fiction
| language = English
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| players = 40
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| playing_time = Fixed
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| materials = Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
| media_type = Play-by-mail or email
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{{Italic title}}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.
History and development
Power was published by Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI).McLain 1984. p. 29. The medium complexity game was computer moderated and closed-ended. 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.Safigan, et al. 1985. p. 18. 585 non-player forces (NPFs) were in play, ranging from military and government organizations to civilian groups and individuals of various types. Victory conditions varied by player.Couldshed 1985. p. 26. They generally required 16 turns controlling the throne and many NPFs, although eliminating all other players also worked.Safigan, et al. 1985. pp. 18–19. To be crowned ruler, players required "popularity, wealth, and Senate approval".
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.Palmer 1985. p. 27.
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". 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".Flagship Editors 1985. p. 29.
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."
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
- {{Cite magazine |last1= Coulshed|first1= Mark|last2= Dunne|first2=Bill|date= Autumn 1985 |title= Power: Flagship Demonstration Game|magazine= Flagship |number=8|page= 26|ref=Cou85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Dutton|first= Jim|date= January–February 1984|title= Concepts for Entertainment|magazine= Gaming Universal|number=2|pages= 18–19|ref=Dut84}}
- {{Cite magazine |author= ((Editors))|date= Summer 1985 |title= The Spokesmen Speak...|magazine= Flagship |number=7|page= 29|ref=Edi85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Kelly|first= John W.|date= November–December 1985 |title= An Historic Review of Power|magazine= Paper Mayhem|number=15|page= 21|ref=Kel85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Maddox|first= Raymond|date= Autumn 1985 |title= Powermonger|magazine= Flagship |number=8|page= 26|ref=Mad85b}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= McLain|first= Bob|date= January–February 1984|title= Gamealog: Power|magazine= Gaming Universal|number=2|page= 44|ref=McL84}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Palmer|first= Nicky|date= Autumn 1985 |title= The Battle for Influence|magazine= Flagship |number=8|page= 27|ref=Pal85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last1= Safigan|first1= Steve |last2= Palmer|first2= Nicky|author-link2= Nicholas Palmer|last3= Coulshed|first3= Mark |last4= Robertson |first4= Bruce|last5= Vallance|first5= William|date= Summer 1985 |title= Power: Flagship Demonstration Game|magazine= Flagship|number=7|pages= 18–19|ref=Saf85}}
{{refend}}
Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Maddox|first= Raymond|date= Summer 1985 |title= Powermonger|magazine= Flagship |number=7|page= 19|ref=Mad85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last= Michell|first= Bill|date= Winter 1985 |title= Ned Stillwell's Advice to the Aspiring Powermonger |magazine= Flagship |number=9 |page= 23|ref=Mic85}}
- {{Cite magazine |last1= Thomas|first1= Cameron|last2= Palmer|first2=Nicky|date= Winter 1985 |title= Power: Flagship Demonstration Game |magazine= Flagship |number=9 |page= 22|ref=Tho85}}
- {{Cite magazine |author=((Editors))|date= Spring 1986 |title= Power: Flagship Demonstration Game|magazine= Flagship |number=10|page= 29|ref=Edi86}}
- {{Cite magazine |author=((Editors))|date= Summer 1986 |title= Power: Flagship Demonstration Game|magazine= Flagship |number=11|pages= 30–31|ref=Edi86b}}
- {{Cite magazine |author=((Editors))|date= Spring 1987 |title= Power: Demo Game ... Gone!|magazine= Flagship |number=14|page= 9|ref=Edi87}}
- {{Cite magazine |last=King|first=Paul|date= Autumn 1987 |title= Where Lies the Power |magazine= Flagship |number=16|pages= 27–29|ref=Kin87}}
{{refend}}
{{Play-by-mail games}}
Category:American role-playing games
Category:Fantasy role-playing games
Category:Role-playing games introduced in the 1980s