Publishers | Mindgate |
---|---|
Years active | 1984 to 1993 or later |
Genres | science fiction, space opera |
Languages | English |
Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
Media type | Play-by-mail |
Synonyms | SDW |
Stars of the Dark Well is a open-ended, mixed-moderated play-by-mail (PBM) game that was published by Mindgate.
Stars of the Dark Well was a PBM space opera published by Mindgate. [1] After multiple years of playtesting, the game launched in 1984. [2] By 1988, the game had about 150 players. [3] The game was mixed-moderated—hand-moderated with computer augmentation. [3] Reviewer Terry Weatherby compared the game to Beyond the Stellar Empire. [3]
The game was set in the year 2480 in an area called the "Second Dominium" by a black hole called "The Dark Well". [3] Players could join government groups such as the Frontier Guard or private groups such as Delta Force, Forth wing, Merchant's Guild, and others. [3] Various alien races were also available to roleplay. [3] 37 actions were available, including "Move, Jump, Orbit, Dock, Buy, Sell, and Transfer". [4] In 1988, Mindgate announced an ongoing expansion of the available playing field based on demand and a rules update. After the expansion, there were 400 available star systems and 2,000 planets. [5] [a]
Terry Weatherby reviewed the game in two 1988 issues of Flagship. He stated that the game "provides, even with its occasional faults and inconsistencies, a good background and simple game system for those seeking to roam the stars at a reasonable, competitive cost. I've enjoyed the game very much and I'm sure others would enjoy it, too". [6] In the July–August 1993 issue of Paper Mayhem, the game was rated 36 of 81 PBM games with a rating of 6.482 of 9 points. [7]
Publishers | Mindgate |
---|---|
Years active | 1984 to 1993 or later |
Genres | science fiction, space opera |
Languages | English |
Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
Media type | Play-by-mail |
Synonyms | SDW |
Stars of the Dark Well is a open-ended, mixed-moderated play-by-mail (PBM) game that was published by Mindgate.
Stars of the Dark Well was a PBM space opera published by Mindgate. [1] After multiple years of playtesting, the game launched in 1984. [2] By 1988, the game had about 150 players. [3] The game was mixed-moderated—hand-moderated with computer augmentation. [3] Reviewer Terry Weatherby compared the game to Beyond the Stellar Empire. [3]
The game was set in the year 2480 in an area called the "Second Dominium" by a black hole called "The Dark Well". [3] Players could join government groups such as the Frontier Guard or private groups such as Delta Force, Forth wing, Merchant's Guild, and others. [3] Various alien races were also available to roleplay. [3] 37 actions were available, including "Move, Jump, Orbit, Dock, Buy, Sell, and Transfer". [4] In 1988, Mindgate announced an ongoing expansion of the available playing field based on demand and a rules update. After the expansion, there were 400 available star systems and 2,000 planets. [5] [a]
Terry Weatherby reviewed the game in two 1988 issues of Flagship. He stated that the game "provides, even with its occasional faults and inconsistencies, a good background and simple game system for those seeking to roam the stars at a reasonable, competitive cost. I've enjoyed the game very much and I'm sure others would enjoy it, too". [6] In the July–August 1993 issue of Paper Mayhem, the game was rated 36 of 81 PBM games with a rating of 6.482 of 9 points. [7]