04-19-2017, 05:01 PM
I just received an email from Jay, who is the owner and supporting patron of Cluster Wars. He reports that Vern Holford, the designer/developer/moderator of this legendary game is gravely ill and now in hospice care.
I don't know the current status of Cluster Wars with any certainty, but I believe that there had been one game currently running, and that it had been suspended at some point. I am guessing that Vern's health issues might have had something to do with it. If there are any Cluster Wars players who'd like to report on when the game was last processing turns, I'd like to hear about it.
Obviously I am deeply saddened to have heard this news. Cluster Wars (and the core design known as Empyrean Challenge) made a big impression on me a long time ago. It is easily in my top-5 games of all time. Vern, as designer and host, supported new and veteran players alike with great respect and professionalism at all times. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.
I don't know the current status of Cluster Wars with any certainty, but I believe that there had been one game currently running, and that it had been suspended at some point. I am guessing that Vern's health issues might have had something to do with it. If there are any Cluster Wars players who'd like to report on when the game was last processing turns, I'd like to hear about it.
Obviously I am deeply saddened to have heard this news. Cluster Wars (and the core design known as Empyrean Challenge) made a big impression on me a long time ago. It is easily in my top-5 games of all time. Vern, as designer and host, supported new and veteran players alike with great respect and professionalism at all times. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.