State of War (play-by-mail game)

State of War is a closed-end, computer-moderated, play-by-mail (PBM) wargame. It was published by Game Systems, Inc.

History and development State of War was a computer moderated PBM game published by Game Systems, Inc.Wieck 1998. p. 61. After three years of development, the game launched in January 1987.Game Systems Inc. 1986. p. 44. In 1988, KJC Games launched the game in the United Kingdom with a limited run of 500 available positions.Kavanaugh 1988. The game was moderately complex.Cale 1986. p. 19.

Gameplay The game is closed-ended with players striving for the most victory points. The setting is a futuristic North America. Gameplay takes place in a crisis period after nuclear war in Europe.Lacey 1989. Twenty players led states with gameplay occurring on a hex map.Wieck 1998. pp. 61–62. Combat, diplomacy, and economics were elements of gameplay.Wieck 1998. p. 62. Victory points could be achieved through a variety of methods. One player compared it to the game Earthwood. Victory could come individually (the most victory points) or through an alliance by meeting multiple conditions.

Reception Stewart Wieck reviewed the game in a 1998 issue of White Wolf, stating that it was a, "good, solid, and well-programmed game," and "A good game on which to cut your PBM teeth." He rated it a 7 of 10 for Materials and Game Moderation, an 8 for Diplomacy, and a 9 for Strategy. Overall he rated the game at 8 of 10 points. Tim Sullivan reviewed the game in a 1988 issue of The D2 Report, calling it a "high-energy, modern day wargame".Sullivan 1988. p. 30.

See also List of play-by-mail games

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