State of War (play-by-mail game)

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State of War
PublishersGame Systems, Inc.
Years active1987 to unknown
GenresRole-playing, wargame
LanguagesEnglish
Players20
Playing timeFixed
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email

State of War is a closed-end, computer-moderated, play-by-mail (PBM) wargame. It was published by Game Systems, Inc.

History and development[edit]

State of War was a computer moderated PBM game published by Game Systems, Inc.[1] After three years of development, the game launched in January 1987.[2] In 1988, KJC Games launched the game in the United Kingdom with a limited run of 500 available positions.[3] The game was moderately complex.[4]

Gameplay[edit]

The game is closed-ended with players striving for the most victory points.[3] The setting is a futuristic North America.[2] Gameplay takes place in a crisis period after nuclear war in Europe.[5] Twenty players led states with gameplay occurring on a hex map.[6] Combat, diplomacy, and economics were elements of gameplay.[7] Victory points could be achieved through a variety of methods.[3] One player compared it to the game Earthwood.[2] Victory could come individually (the most victory points) or through an alliance by meeting multiple conditions.[4]

Reception[edit]

Stewart Wieck reviewed the game in a 1998 issue of White Wolf, stating that it was a, "good, solid, and well-programmed game," and "A good game on which to cut your PBM teeth."[7] He rated it a 7 of 10 for Materials and Game Moderation, an 8 for Diplomacy, and a 9 for Strategy. Overall he rated the game at 8 of 10 points.[7] Tim Sullivan reviewed the game in a 1988 issue of The D2 Report, calling it a "high-energy, modern day wargame".[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wieck 1998. p. 61.
  2. ^ a b c Game Systems Inc. 1986. p. 44.
  3. ^ a b c Kavanaugh 1988.
  4. ^ a b Cale 1986. p. 19.
  5. ^ Lacey 1989.
  6. ^ Wieck 1998. pp. 61–62.
  7. ^ a b c Wieck 1998. p. 62.
  8. ^ Sullivan 1988. p. 30.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Cale, Terry (Winter 1986). "State of War". Flagship. No. 17 (U.S. ed.). pp. 19–22.
  • Game Systems, Inc. (March–April 1986). "State of War (is now a reality)". Paper Mayhem. No. 17. p. 44.
  • Kavanaugh, Brendon (July 1988). "1988 Game Launches: State of War". Crash. No. 54.
  • Lacey, Ian (January 1989). "PBM Take-Overs: State of War". Crash. No. 60.
  • Sullivan, Tim (February–March 1988). "From the Helm: State of War". The D2 Report. No. 16. p. 30.
  • Wieck, Stewart (1998). "The PBM Reviews: State of War". White Wolf Magazine. No. 10. pp. 61–62.

Further reading[edit]

  • Scheid, Mike (May–June 1987). "State of War: Review and Strategy Notes". Paper Mayhem. No. 24. pp. 6, 8.
  • Stassun, Peter (January–February 1990). "State of War - Designer Notes". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. pp. 16–17.