Feudal Lords (play-by-mail game)

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Feudal Lords
Cover image of game.
DesignersJohn Van De Graaf
PublishersGraaf Simulations, Flying Buffalo Inc., Rick Loomis PBM Games
Years active1977 to current
GenresRole-playing, medieval fantasy
LanguagesEnglish
Players8–17
Playing timeFixed
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email
Websitehttp://rickloomispbm.com/

Feudal Lords is a closed-end, computer moderated, play-by-mail game set in medieval England. Starting as a game run through a magazine in 1977, it was first published by Graaf Simulations, later run by Flying Buffalo, Inc, and is today published by Rick Loomis PBM Games.

History and development[edit]

John Van De Graaf created Feudal Lords in 1977 with basic gameplay, set in King Arthur times.[1] Van de Graaf published the game in his Diplomacy magazine, updating the rules and integrating a computer in 1980.[1] In 1982, following a playtest, he published the game through a new company, Graaf Simulations.[1] The design comprised economic, military and diplomatic aspects.[1]

Bill Paxton won Game #1, which ended in 1982.[1] Flying Buffalo also ran the game.[2] The copyright date on Flying Buffalo's rules written by John Van De Graaf is 1982.[2] The UK company, ICBM, ran the game from 1983 to 1990, with Sloth Enterprises picking up the game in 1991.[3] In 1984, Graaf Simulations had over 35 games running.[4] As of October 2021, Rick Loomis PBM Games publishes the game.[5] The game is computer-moderated.[6]

Gameplay[edit]

The game is set in medieval England after the death of King Arthur.[7] Each player controls one of the 46 fiefs on the map of England, with non-played feifs acting independently.[6] Players have 32 possible orders available, but can only submit 12 per one-year turn.[6] Other limits apply, such as one military campaign annually.[6] According to reviewer Chris Frink, these constraints "make for a better-balanced, more interesting game".[6] Players must manage various aspects of medieval life, including maintaining knights, peasants, and townspeople, and accounting for economic factors such as mining and agriculture.[6] Diplomacy is critical to success; winning is not possible without alliances.[6]

The object of the game is to gain control of 23 of the 46 feifs.[6]

Reviews[edit]

Michael Gray reviewed the game in a 1983 issue of Dragon. He gave it positive marks for the rules and the logical setup of the orders sheets. He assessed the game as "fun", stating "I heartily recommend it."[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Van de Graaf 1983. p. 19.
  2. ^ a b Van De Graaf 1982.
  3. ^ Holokar 1992. p. 24.
  4. ^ Fantasy Gamer 1984. p. 44.
  5. ^ Spencer 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Frink 1984. p. 29.
  7. ^ Fast 1987. p. 16.
  8. ^ Gray 1983. pp. 35–36

Bibliography[edit]

  • Fast, Byron (Nov–Dec 1987). "The Ins and Outs of Feudal Lords". Paper Mayhem. No. 27. pp. 16–17.
  • Frink, Christopher (April–May 1984). "Simply Captivating: Feudal Lords Review". Keeping Posted. Fantasy Gamer. No. 5. pp. 29–30.
  • Graaf, John Van De (1982). "Feudal Lords Rules" (PDF). Flying Buffalo, Inc. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  • Neal, Michael D. (Sep–Oct 2005). "Lordly Designs". Flagship. No. 115. pp. 22–23.
  • "PBM Update: Graaf Simulations". Fantasy Gamer. No. 4. February–March 1984. p. 44.
  • Spencer, David (October 7, 2021). "PBM's Newest Company: Rick Loomis PBM Games". Suspense & Decision. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  • Van de Graaf, John (November–December 1983). "The Evolution of Feudal Lords". PBM Universal. No. 1. p. 19=Van83.

Further reading[edit]

  • Carrier, Chris (May–June 1985). "Feudal Lords". Paper Mayhem. No. 12. pp. 13–15.
  • Gray, Mike (April 1983). "The PBM Scene: Facts You Can Use When YOU Choose What Game to Play: Feudal Lords". Dragon. No. 72. pp. 35–36.
  • Holkar, Mo (May 1992). "Putting the Feud in Feudal Lords". Flagship. No. 37. pp. 24–27.
  • Marte, Stephen B. (July–August 1990). "Feudal Lords Game 31 / Year 812". American Gamer. No. 1. pp. 5–8.
  • McLain, Bob (November–December 1983). "A Looke at Feudal Lords: On How Things Work and Related Matters". PBM Universal. No. 1. p. 12–16.
  • McLain, Bob (November–December 1983). "On Crowning the King and Other Heroic Matters". PBM Universal. No. 1. p. 17–18.
  • McLain, Bob (Jun–Jul 2004). "Right of Kings". Flagship. No. 108. pp. 10–11.
  • Orzoff, Nathan (1983). "Rules Review of Feudal Lords". Nuts & Bolts of Gaming. Vol. 3, no. 14. p. 14.
  • Palmer, Nicky (Summer 1984). "Feudal Lords". Flagship. No. 3. pp. 4–7.
  • Van De Graaf, John (May–June 1985). "Feudal Lords Designer's Comments". Paper Mayhem. No. 12. pp. 16–18.
  • Young, A.D. (April–May 1984). "Econo-Strategy for Feudal Lords". Fantasy Gamer. No. 5. pp. 30–31.
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