12-04-2011, 12:06 AM
(12-03-2011, 11:17 AM)Jim_Landes Wrote: After my first computer game company (Horizon Simulations) folded in 1980, I started life anew in Anchorage Alaska and shortly thereafter started a little hand moderated PBM game called “Swords of Pelarn” under the company “Midnight Sun Games”. This game was based upon the history and players of the role-playing game “Pelarn” and the format was following roughly the model of “Realms of Sword and Thunder” by Empire Games run by Glenn Holiday.
Realms of Sword and Thunder was one of my favorite games, even though it didn't run for long and the turns took weeks to process. I'm still in touch with Glenn Holliday, the designer. It's a shame he wasn't able to automate enough of the game to make its operation feasible.
And I remember, Jim, that you gave public credit to Glenn's game as inspiration for Swords of Pelarn. That was a classy thing to do!
In Gaming Universal #3, I wrote: "So, if you want a game with an existing (and very impressive) library of data there for the asking, join ROSAT. If you want in on the ground floor, try SOP [Swords of Pelarn]."
Obviously, in hindsight, not one of my better recommendations, since I believe ROSAT folded shortly thereafter.
Speaking of my favorite games, does anyone remember Court of Kings, an absolutely fantastic mixed-moderated game from The Round Table? It ran on monthly turn cycles, but the moderator was never able to get her labor-intensive turns out the door on time. Of course, the game folded quickly. I wish I could remember the moderator's name. Pat something, maybe.
-- Bob McLain