A free SF web game of over 100 players running for 1600 turns (10 years) so far, still suitable for new starters.

Setting

Each player is a new space captain, given an old and failing starship by mysterious aliens with which to make a name for themselves. Local space is a cluster of a hundred stars or so, containing about fifteen hundred assorted locations of interest: any other stars aren't accessible yet. A typical turn consists of having the four officers do things (for example, the science officer might go netrunning in the old Empire's computers while the weaponry officer hunts criminals and the engineer raises cash by asteroid mining), exploring for hidden opportunities, possibly a battle with another player or alien, and often ends with a jump to a different star for the following turn's adventures.

Goals

It's an open-ended game that imposes no goals - players choose what they want to achieve and play until they've had enough, or die in the attempt. There are many routes for advancement in power, knowledge, wealth and skill, with balancing features to prevent any being "best". For example, a trader may make large profits by buying and selling between worlds, if they can beat rivals to the best priced markets and avoid or buy off the inevitable pirate players. An adventurer may explore ancient civilizations to find exotic technology and learn of leads to new finds, while an empire-builder may work up to intimidate alien homeworlds into paying for "protection".

Mechanics

Results are put on a web server as soon as each turn runs (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at noon Pacific Standard Time). The results contain a form for choosing the next turn's actions, heavily customized to the player's current position so that only legal actions can be chosen, mostly selected from menus (i.e. there are no syntax or keyboard entry errors because there's no keyboard!) Having selected all the actions they want for the next turn, the player clicks the "Make It So" button and orders are sent to the adjudication program. At the deadline, all players' orders are combined with other events and new sets of results mailed out. Here's an example turn.

Subspace Times

A newsletter is generated each turn from player contributions, plus mostly true information produced during adjudication. Players also put a lot of information (or disinformation) on their player pages, stored on the server and linked from the game results.

Cost

It's free, and has all the guarantees and support that this implies, but if you do want to contribute to the costs of running the game, follow the advertising links to amazon (uk) or amazon (us) and buy things.

To Play

First read the rules (I'll wait here for you...)

There's currently a waiting list of up to a week, but if you're not put off by that pass this test of competence and enthusiasm to get on the list. If you're not using your own email address do get permission to play from its owner, and don't try to cheat by starting multiple ships in the names of your cats, spouses, imaginary friends etc. - they're much easier to spot than people think..

Things Not To Do

(All these naughtinesses have been done at least once)
  • Don't sign up without reading the rules - you'll never get anywhere!
  • Don't ask me for the rules manually - use the form above!
  • Don't sign up without a real name - I'll think you're trying to get a second ship!
  • Don't use a false reply address - I won't be able to reply to you!
  • Don't sign up without reading the rules - you'll never get anywhere! (counts double...)


    • Utilities for players

    Here are forms for sending mail to other players addressed by ship name, and for having your last set of results or orders sent to you.

    Free Support Resources

    While not essential for playing the game, you may want to set up your own "banner", the image shown when others see your ship: this page from Prescient Solutions includes a very easy method of making suitable gif files. If you need somewhere to store such an image or want a webpage beyond what w++ provides, they're free from Angelfire and Tripod (both have up to 20 MB storage but contain adverts).

    You can help promote TBG by voting for us here once a day, through the Internet Games Archive.

    For any problems which can't be solved by reading the web pages and filling in online forms, email Eric Moore.

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