This topic is a result of a discussion that happened on Irc. Apparently Gargulec is craving for some multiplayer gameplay. There were some ideas tossed around, and I was supposed to drop some info about Stars! but in the end decided to do a short listing of the games I mentioned on irc.
1) Stars!What is it: A old 4x game (if you don't know what 4x games are - think Civilization or Master of Orion). Game generates a map full of planets (up to around 1000) in which up to 16 players fight for domination, researching technologies to build starships and conquer all. Simple, at least in theory. The game itself is turn based play-by-email.
How does it look: Where to get it: There is an installer here
http://www.sendspace.com/file/83c4ni - the game needs also a serial, and a unique one for each player. There are two ways of acquiring one - first is a site called Stars Autohost, whos owner sells serials cheaply (the game is pretty much abandoned by now, and that guy has a keygen someone created in past and blessing of original creators - requires paypal account and ~$5 though), second one is contacting me - I have twenty-some serials that some people "donated" on the internet. The catch is that you most likely won't be able play with anyone outside of chaosforge with these.
Why the hell would I play it: Well Gargulec mentioned he loathes 4x, but at the same time he said that he would play if I gathered players for it. So if you want to make him feel the paint this is your option ;P
2) MegamekWhat is it: Megamek is a client that allows to play Battletech (board/minaitures-game that was the basis for Mechwarrior series) online. Plain and simple.
How does it look: Where to get it: http://sourceforge.net/projects/megamek/ is the site of the project, would have to check and see what's more worthy of a download right now - stable or dev version.
Why the hell would I play it: It's battletech/mechwarrior, duh.
3) NetstormWhat is it: A less-known RTS game in which you become a priest for a tribe of people living on a floating island. You battle other priests for power - the game has nearly no "units" in traditional sense, instead you have to rely on building bridges and attaching destructive devices to them.
How does it look: Where to get it: http://www.netstormhq.com/ - I think you have to register, though at worst I could drop the installer files at sendspace or something.
Why the hell would I play it: The idea of battling islands is novel, and the gameplay can be quite fun from what little experience I had with it.
4) Blood BowlWhat is it: Think american footbal, but in the world of warhammer, and with voilence being not quite contained. Scoring a touchdown with the ball is nice, but doing so with skull of an opposing player can do quite as well.
How does it look: or
Where to get it: One version is to buy Cyanide's Blood Bowl computer game - it costs 40 euro, and gives nice graphics and handy UI, at the drawback of costing money and not having all the races available (there is supposed to come out an extended edition to come out this year). Alternatively there are out there some clients that allow playing the game online much the way megamek allows playing battletech games, and at least one of these is fully workable if outdated on rules. Of course they don't have shiny graphics, and control is going to be much more complicated.
Why the hell would I play it: Because Blood Bowl is the greatest sport ever ;)
Author
Topic: Chaosforge multiplayer games (Read 5791 times)