Power (game)

*Power*
Publishers	Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI)
Years active	~1990 to current
Genres	Role-playing, science fiction
Languages	English
Players	40
Playing time	Fixed
Materials required	Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media type	Play-by-mail or email

Last updated November 20, 2023

Power (also Power+) is a closed-end, computer-moderated, play-by-mail space-based game of intrigue. It was published by Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI). By late 1985, an updated version of the game, Power+, had replaced Power. Gameplay involved 40 players vying for rulership of a space empire comprising 35 planets. Players could interact with hundreds of non-player forces including dozens of organization types and individuals. Each turn, players chose from a menu of available actions, many related to intrigue.

History and development

Power was published by Entertainment Concepts Inc. (ECI).^[1] The medium complexity game was computer moderated and closed-ended.^[1] By late 1985, an updated version of the game, Power+, had replaced Power.

Gameplay

40 players per game vie for rulership of a space empire comprising 35 planets.^[2] 585 non-player forces (NPFs) were in play, ranging from military and government organizations to civilian groups and individuals of various types.^[2] Victory conditions varied by player.^[3] They generally required 16 turns controlling the throne and many NPFs, although eliminating all other players also worked.^[4] To be crowned ruler, players required "popularity, wealth, and Senate approval".^[2]

NPFs included anti-Government groups, militaries, spies and assassins, guards, churches, courtiers, diplomats, entertainers, mercenaries, reporters, executives, PR men, police, Royal guards and servants, saboteurs, the Secret Service, the Senate, terrorists, and unions.^[5]

Players chose up to twenty actions per turn from a menu. These included "investigation, movement, investment, propaganda, hiring NPFs ... slander, theft, blackmail, bribe ... assassination, [and] military combat".^[2] The game was in a separate category of games with Illuminati in that "almost everything happens through manipulation of third parties rather than direct physical involvement".^[6]

Reception

Bob McLain reviewed the game in a 1984 issue of Gaming Universal , stating, "This is ECI's first attempt at a totally computer moderated game, but they seem to have done an excellent job."^[1]

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References

Bibliography

Coulshed, Mark; Dunne, Bill (Autumn 1985). "Power: Flagship Demonstration Game". Flagship. No. 8. p. 26.
Dutton, Jim (January–February 1984). "Concepts for Entertainment". Gaming Universal . No. 2. pp. 18–19.
Editors (Summer 1985). "The Spokesmen Speak...". Flagship. No. 7. p. 29.
Kelly, John W. (November–December 1985). "An Historic Review of Power". Paper Mayhem . No. 15. p. 21.
Maddox, Raymond (Autumn 1985). "Powermonger". Flagship. No. 8. p. 26.
McLain, Bob (January–February 1984). "Gamealog: Power". Gaming Universal. No. 2. p. 44.
Palmer, Nicky (Autumn 1985). "The Battle for Influence". Flagship. No. 8. p. 27.
Safigan, Steve; Palmer, Nicky; Coulshed, Mark; Robertson, Bruce; Vallance, William (Summer 1985). "Power: Flagship Demonstration Game". Flagship . No. 7. pp. 18–19.