Supernova II
Supernova II (or SuperNova II) is a computer moderated, play-by-mail (PBM) game of space conflict.
| Other names | SuperNova II |
|---|---|
| Designers | Peter Donnan and Russel Norris |
| Publishers | Rolling Thunder Games |
| Years active | 1989 to unknown |
| Genres | science fiction, play-by-mail |
| Languages | English |
| Playing time | Fixed |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
History and development
Supernova II was a play-by-mail game of space conflict designed by Peter Donnan and Russel Norris and published by Rolling Thunder Games.[1] Flagship editor Tim Sullivan called it a "sophisticated space opera".[2] It was released in the U.S. and UK in February and August 1989, respectively.[3] It improved on their initial offering of Supernova.[4] Supernova II was computer moderated, an update from Supernova's hand-moderation.[3] By 2004, Rolling Thunder Games released Supernova III.[5]
Gameplay
Players custom designed ships for assignment in fleets which could take offensive or defensive actions.[4] Twelve ship types were available.[4] These included: Colonial Transports, Destroyers, Escort Carriers, Explorers, Fast Freighters, Fleet Scouts, Frigates, Heavy Freighters, Heavy Troop Transports, Light Cruisers, Star Destroyers, and Troop Transports.[4] Players selected a race to play as well, a consequential choice for gameplay.[3]
According to Wayne Mohan, "SuperNova is the Commando unit, a small, elite band of your finest" which can explore or accomplish other tasks.[6] Intrigue and diplomacy were elements of gameplay.[6] Both combat between ships and ground combat were possible.[4]
Gameplay in Supernova II was challenging and careful play in the first eight months was critical to success.[7] The editors of Flagship stated that it was "one of the hardest games to play well from turn 1".[3] Rick McFarland put its complexity just below games like Empyrean Challenge.[8]
Reception
A reviewer in the September–October 1987 issue of Paper Mayhem highly recommended Supernova II, stating it was "an improvement over the original in almost every area".[6] He noted that combat played a greater role and gameplay was challenging.[6] As of November 1989, Supernova II was the highest rated game of 53 listed PBM games in Paper Mayhem.[9][lower-alpha 1] In the November–December 1989 issue of Paper Mayhem, Supernova II took 1st place in the Best PBM Game of 1989 list.[10] The game also took 1st place in the magazine's Best PBM Game of 1989 list.[11]
See also
Notes
- Games were rated on "playability, design, ease of understanding the rules, and ease of understanding game printouts" with Supernova II scoring 7.732 out of 9 points from 60 registered votes.
References
- Mohan 1987. pp. 10, 13.
- Sullivan 1988. p. 30.
- McFarland 1989. p. 16.
- Mohan 1987. p. 10.
- Burlingame 2004. p. 10.
- Mohan 1987. p. 13.
- Bunker 1988. p. 24.
- McFarland 1989. p. 12.
- Editors 1990. p. 2.
- Editors 1989. p. 2.
- Editors 1990. p. 2.
Bibliography
- Bunker, Robert J. (January–February 1988). "Empire Management – A Survival Guide for Supernova II". Paper Mayhem. No. 28. pp. 24–27.
- Bunker, Robert J. (March–April 1988). "Death Machine Alliance Formation in Supernova II". Paper Mayhem. No. 29. pp. 27–29.
- Burlingame, Martin (February–March 2004). "Supernova III: A Pirate's Viewpoint". Flagship. No. 106. pp. 10–11.
- Editors (November–December 1989). "Best PBM Game of 1988". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 2.
- Editors (January–February 1990). "Best PBM Game of 1989". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 2.
- Editors (January–February 1990). "Best PBM Game Ratings as of 11-12-89". Paper Mayhem. No. 40. p. 23.
- Mohan, Wayne (September–October 1987). "Supernova II: More Guts, More Glory". Paper Mayhem. No. 26. pp. 8–10.
- Mohan, Wayne (September–October 1989). "Supernova II: (Upgrade), The Early Strategy and Exploits of a Seeker Review Position in the New Star Region of Rigel". Paper Mayhem. No. 38. pp. 6–11.
- Mohan, Wayne (November–December 1989). "Supernova II Continued". Paper Mayhem. No. 39. pp. 16–19.
- Sullivan, Tim (February–March 1988). "From the Helm: Supernova II". The D2 Report. No. 30. p. 30.
Further reading
- McFarland, Rick (1989). "The Young Race's Guide to Supernova II". Flagship. No. 23. pp. 10–11.
- McFarland, Rick (1989). "Supernova II: Birth of an Empire". Flagship. No. 24. pp. 12–14.
- McFarland, Rick (March 1990). "[Supernova II] Economic Superpower". Flagship. No. 25. pp. 17–18.
- McFarland, Rick (May 1990). "War in Supernova II". Flagship. No. 26. pp. 34–36.