Darkworld

Darkworld is a roleplaying play-by-mail (PBM) game.

Darkworld
PublishersMichael Williams
Years active1982 to unknown
Genresrole-playing, play-by-mail
LanguagesEnglish
Playing timeunlimited
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail

History and development

Darkworld was a roleplaying, play-by-mail game published by Michael Williams.[1] It was launched in 1982.[2] It was open-ended[3] and hand moderated.[4]

As of the end of 1987, the game had approximately 100 players.[5] By then, only 53 of 900 "blocks" had been explored, with blocks comprising 1,750 sectors.[5] The game map included over 1.5 million sectors.[1]

Gameplay

Gameplay occurred on the planet of Darkworld.[1] Players could roleplay one of 40 available races.[1] Multiple roleplaying settings were available, allowing players to "take on the gods, fight the evil orcs, delve into the realms of magics, become a king, or just do nothing".[3] Turns could be played weekly, and included both normal and special actions, the latter requiring narrative descriptions of a desired action.[3] Game elements included combat, construction, diplomacy, economics, and location (or movement).[3] Magic was also a key part of the game.[5] Players could encounter "cities, castles, temples, ruins, dimensional gates, underground valleys, and twelve different types of terrain" with cities as a hub for many activities.[2]

Reception

PBM Universal's editor, Bob McLain, reviewed Darkworld in its first 1983 issue.[4] He stated that it was "A 'must' for whomever wants non-stop fun."[4] Bill Dunne reviewed the game in a 1985 issue of Flagship, praising its diversity of game settings and possibilities.[6] He stated it was a "standard style of role-playing game with little player interaction and with a creative gamemaster, who puts you in a very nonstandard scenario".[6]

See also

References
  1. Williams 1985. p. 13.
  2. Webber 1983. p. 10.
  3. Dunne 1985. p. 14.
  4. McLain 1983. p. 28.
  5. Williams 1988. p. 20.
  6. Dunne 1985. p. 15.

Bibliography
  • Dunne, Bill (Summer 1985). "Darkworld: Intersection of a Thousand Fantasies". Flagship. No. 7. pp. 14–15.
  • Loth III, John Kevin (March–April 1987). "A Turn of the Darkworld". Paper Mayhem. No. 23. pp. 13–14.
  • McLain, Bob (November–December 1983). "Gamealog: Darkworld". PBM Universal. No. 1. p. 28.
  • Webber, Dave (March–April 1984). "Darkworld: A Review...". Paper Mayhem. No. 5. p. 10.
  • Williams, Michael (Summer 1985). "Darkworld [Ad]". Flagship. No. 7. p. 13.
  • Williams, Mike (December 1987 – January 1988). "Tales from the Dark Side". The D2 Report. No. 15. pp. 20–21.

Further reading
  • Dias, Dan (April–May 1987). "Darkworld: The Adventures of Talbot Lyle". The D2 Report. Vol. 2, no. 3. pp. 23–25.
  • Dias, Dan (June–July 1987). "Darkworld: The Adventures of Talbot Lyle [cont.]". The D2 Report. Vol. 2, no. 4. pp. 12–13.
  • Dias, Dan (August–September 1987). "Darkworld: The Adventures of Talbot Lyle [cont.]". The D2 Report. No. 13. pp. 39–40.
  • Vasquez Jr., Praxedes (October–November 1987). "Darkworld: As the Darkworld Turns...". The D2 Report. No. 14. pp. 42–45.
  • Vasquez Jr., Praxedes (February–March 1988). "Darkworld: As the Darkworld Turns". The D2 Report. No. 16. pp. 17–20.
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