From: ptl@netcom.com (Tom Lehmann)
Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT Throneworld Overview
Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 06:56:21 GMT

Several people have asked me for more information about Throneworld, one of
the "works in progress" at TimJim/Prism Games.  Here it is.
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Throneworld is a game of galactic conquest set in the same universe as Time
Agent, during the Servants Revolt.  In Throneworld, 2-6 alien races vie to
establish a new galactic imperium by sending forth fleets and armies to
conquer neighboring worlds.

Each player directs the expansion of one of six different alien races, starting
from a single homeworld.  During production turns, players build new space
fleets and ground forces.  These are then sent forth ("jumped") to conquer
nearby planetary systems.  Conquered worlds generally add their development
value to their empires production total.  Players will also perform research
each turn to improve one of their empires' four technologies:

 * Jump - this determines how far fleets may jump and how distant a system may
   be and add to empire production.  Jump also affects drop invasions past
   enemy Shields.
 * Comm - this determines if a fleet is in range to be ordered to jump or to
   perform a regular invasion.  It is also used to scan unknown systems or jam
   enemy actions.
 * Space - how well an empires fleets fight in space.
 * Ground - how well an empires armies fight on the ground.

The map consists of hexes, each containing one system or world.  The outer ring
of hexes contain the player homeworlds and the sparsely settled outer worlds.
The central hex holds the Imperial Throneworld.  There are six chits listing
the Throneworld's forces and combat technologies; each game one of them is
chosen randomly during setup and placed facedown in this hex.  Between the
outer hexes and the Throneworld lie the inner worlds.  These are generally
harder to conquer than the outer worlds (but easier than the Throneworld).

Each world is described by a system tile, placed in that hex during setup.
System tiles list the following:

 * Development value - the economic value of the system, ranging from 0-6
   (homeworlds and the Throneworld are 10).  Systems with a value of 0 are
   empty systems.
 * Combat technologies - the space and ground technologies of any defending
   forces.
 * Neutral Forces - the fleets and armies defending that system.  Empty
   systems have no defending forces.

Space combat occurs after jumping a fleet into a system with unfriendly fleets.
Ground combat occurs when invading an unfriendly system.

A combat is fought in rounds, until one side is destroyed or, in space only,
retreats.  Each round, both sides fire their units by rolling dice as indicated
on the combat mat (the same unit may roll a different number of dice when
defending instead of attacking).  Every "6" rolled is a hit.

If one side has a greater combat technology than the other (either space or
ground as relevant), it adds this difference to its die rolls (the other side
still hits on "6s").  Most units (except Heavy Infantry and Command Bunkers)
are destroyed after a single hit.  In space, each Shield will absorb one hit
per round.  Thus, it takes four hits to do any damage at all to a fleet with
three Shields.  Owners assign losses and, in space, check cargo capacity
before beginning the next round of combat.

Unless a victory attempt is in progress, play proceeds in turns consisting of
four phases, during which each empire acts in order:

 1. Expansion - one regular jump, followed by one scan or survey jump.
 2. Action - play an action chit or pass; then turn in and draw new chits.
 3. Empire (skipped during a victory attempt) - resolve one event chit,
    followed by research and, possibly, production.
 4. End - flip over all used Command Bunkers; determine next turns empire
    order (except during a victory attempt).

Each player has a hand of five action chits, one of which can be played each
turn.  These allow extra jumps, research, local production, etc.  Some action
chits (intercept and jam) allow players to react to or block other players
actions.

The goal is to take a set number of systems.  The Throneworld is worth six
systems.  Once an empire controls enough systems - and survives a turn without
this total being bettered or driven below the number needed - that player wins!

Tentative Plans

Throneworld's production status, scheduled release date and final components
are still being finalized.  Current thoughts are that it will contain a
mounted, color mapboard, 6 empire mats, 2 battle mats and either 880 full
color, die-cut counters (4 sheets) or 400 counters and a set of stackable chips
with printed decals.  It will retail for $45-50.

This overview is Copywrite 1996 Prism Games and is provided for informational
purposes only.