The oldest multi player computer game community--PLATO EMPIRE

Started by secrets of blackmoor, November 26, 2018, 11:23:06 AM

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secrets of blackmoor

Hi, I run a group that meets sunday nights to play the oldest multi player computer game. The game was coded in 1974. Called Empire, it ran on a mainframe computer of networked terminals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLATO_%28computer_system%29

It is now being emulated, so we can play again via a terminal emulator program. Our group keeps getting smaller as our members get older, with some having passed on now. We are lucky if we can muster up 6 players, for a game designed for up to 30.

Empire is star trek based as far as graphics and lingo, yet because of the 2D interface it plays a lot like a WWII naval game.

An Example of Empire Game Play:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qodf2AjrEQo&t=2s

Possibly the last big tournament, was recorded as a screen capture by players on opposing sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfh2w79KLJo

The game is actually very intense. It's sort of like playing Risk with space ships fighting each other as they try to take over planets. Thus it is a mix of tactical combat and team strategy, which is unlike anything I have seen in any other computer game.

The system also has all the other original game designs on it, including the original Battle Zone, which was actually a multi player tank game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRU2Xn_ACjA

One can also find all the original Dungeon Adventures games on this system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPrzb534TY

It takes a little bit of time to learn the keyboard shortcuts, because PLATO mainframe had a different keyboard arrangement. Yet, like most games the new key strokes become intuitive fairly quickly.

Get a sign on and terminal program here:
https://cyber1.org/index.asp

Gusington

Wow...welcome. That is the greatest intro post ever put up here.

I will be shocked...gobsmacked even...if you don't get some takers.


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