Lords of Valetia

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Lords of Valetia is a 1977 fantasy, role-playing play-by-mail (PBM) game published by RB&B Design Operations, Inc.

History[edit]

In a 1984 issue of Gaming Universal, Steve Jackson said that Lords of Valetia was "the most spectacular PBM fiasco in history" related to the issue of short-lived PBM companies of the period.[1] Rick Loomis echoed this idea, noting that this was "the most notorious of the disappearing companies".[2] According to Loomis, the first moderator "was running the whole thing in between college classes".[2] He stated that the game reportedly had more than 1,000 paid players at the outset.[3] After some delays, game ownership changed and the game ran briefly before additional delays and another ownership change.[2] Financial challenges then caused the game's collapse.[2]

Gameplay[edit]

Lords of Valetia was a fantasy role-playing PBM game run by subscription.[4] The hand-moderated game was based on Dungeons & Dragons.[3]

Reception[edit]

Brian Esterson reviewed Lords of Valetia in The Space Gamer No. 15.[4] Esterson commented that "In all, the game shows thought and imagination. [...] Very little information, aside from the rules, is given to you at first. You learn about the land and the creatures in it as you explore."[4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jackson, Steve (Summer–Fall 1984). "Steve Jackson's Column". Gaming Universal. No. 3–4. pp. 14–15.
  2. ^ a b c d Loomis, Rick (Summer–Fall 1984). "Buffalo Chips". Gaming Universal. No. 3–4. pp. 48–49.
  3. ^ a b Loomis, Rick (July–August 1985). "Keeping Posted: Rick Loomis on Play-By-Mail". Space Gamer. No. 75. pp. 35–36.
  4. ^ a b c Esterson, Brian (January–February 1978). "Lords of Valetia". The Space Gamer (15). Metagaming: 30.