''Continuum'' is a closed-end, science fiction

play-by-mail A play-by-mail game (also known as a PBM game, PBEM game, turn-based game, turn based distance game, or an interactive strategy game.) is a game played through postal mail, email, or other digital media. Correspondence chess and Go (game), Go wer ...

game of expansion and conquest published by Zephyr Enterprises and MBT Games. A game of space exploration and conquest, up to 20 players per game started with a star system and attempted to eliminate all other players. An alternate ending was possible by agreement with remaining players. Exploration, economics, diplomacy, technology advancement, and combat were game elements. Players could develop fleets up to 25 starships. The game received generally positive reviews in various gaming magazines in the 1990s.

History and development

''Continuum'' was a science fiction play-by-mail game, of expansion and conquest published by Zephyr Enterprises. Browning 1994. p. 10. It was a game of medium to high complexity. Games were closed-ended, with each drawing to a conclusion. Smith 1993. p. 10. By 1998, it was being published by MBT Games of North Highland, CA. Faust 1998. p. 4.

Gameplay

There were up to 20 players per game—each beginning with a star system. The game's purpose was to eliminate the other players. An alliance of remaining players could also call the game to an end. Smith 1993. p. 12. Exploration, economics, diplomacy, and combat were all game elements. Gameplay took place on a

hex map A hex map, hex board, or hex grid is a game board design commonly used in simulation games of all scales, including wargames, role-playing games, and strategy games in both board games and video games. A hex map is subdivided into a hexagonal ...

with 1600 hexes and 160 stars. Players could invest to increase technology levels for weapons, ship propulsion, and other ship components. Over time, players could develop fleets of up to 25 ships. Faust 1998. p. 5.

Reception

Joey Browning reviewed ''Continuum'' in the January–February 1994 issue of ''

Flagship A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of navy, naval ships, characteristically a flag officer entitled by custom to fly a distinguishing flag. Used more loosely, it is the lead ship in a fleet of vessels, typically ...

''. He called it a fun game and praised the gamemaster while cautioning against some tedium involved with filling out the turns. Browning 1994. p. 11. He stated that "If you're looking for a moderately deep game with simple rules and an emphasis on naval combat, this is a good one to try." Mark Macagnone reviewed the game in the September–October 1995 issue of ''

Paper Mayhem ''Paper Mayhem'' is an out-of-print play-by-mail (PBM) game magazine that was published in Ottawa, Illinois. The staff published the initial issue in July 1983 and the magazine ran until mid-1998. Its format was 40 pages published six times per ...

''. He rated the game 4 stars of 5 for Fun Index, 4.5 stars for the gamemaster response and the Rulebook, and 5 stars for Turn Sheets and Turn Results, with an overall rating of 4.75 stars. Macagnone 1995. p. 29. Stacey Faust reviewed the game in the March–April 1998 issue of Paper Mayhem, also calling the game fun. She rated the game 4.5 of 5 stars for Fun and Moderation, and 5 stars for Challenge/Frustration, Playability, and Value. She recommended the game for both novices and experts.

References

Bibliography

* * * * {{Play-by-mail games 20th-century role-playing games American games American role-playing games Multiplayer games Play-by-mail games Role-playing games introduced in 1993 Role-playing games introduced in the 1990s Science fiction games Science fiction role-playing games Space conquest games Space opera role-playing games Strategy games Tabletop games

History and development

Gameplay

Reception

See also

References

Bibliography