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Forgotten Realms (play-by-mail game)

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Forgotten Realms
DesignersPaul Brown
PublishersReality Simulations, Inc.
Years active~1994 to current
GenresRole-playing, heroic fantasy
LanguagesEnglish
Players50
Playing timefixed (30–50 turns)
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email

Forgotten Realms, subtitled "War of the Avatars", was a computer-moderated play-by-mail game (PBM) published by Reality Simulations that was set in the Savage Frontier of the Forgotten Realms.[1]

Development

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The game was designed by Paul Brown.

Gameplay

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50 players per game adventured in a world comprising 5,000 hexagons of varied terrain, where they controlled various characters, military forces, and communities.[2] Diplomacy and combat were important parts of gameplay.[2] The company published a "top-10 chart" every turn to highlight significant realm accomplishments.[2]

Each game lasted until one of the players met the victory conditions, usually 35–50 turns, at a cost of $1.50 per turn plus 50 cents for each move (to a maximum, of $15 per turn.)[3] After twenty turns, players could summon a god's avatar to aid them.[3]

Reception

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Kuo W. Ping reviewed the game in the July–August 1996 issue of Paper Mayhem magazine and stated it was "one of the best PBM games I have yet played". Ping described the game as "very fun and enjoyable" and rated it with "high marks" while suggesting two areas to improve.[2]

Awards

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Forgotten Realms won the Origins Award for Best New Play-by-Mail Game of 1994.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Forgotten Realms: Play-By-Mail Game". www.reality.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Ping, Kuo W. (July–August 1996). "A Quick Look at Forgotten Realms". Paper Mayhem. No. 79. p. 4–6.
  3. ^ a b Lindahl, Greg. "Forgotten Realms -- War of the Avatars". pbm.com. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  4. ^ "Origins Award Winners (1994)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-09-18.