SpiritWars blends a variety of design concepts into an
engaging on-line playing experience that transcends traditional product categories and
genres. With unlimited strategic options, low bandwidth requirements and a gallery of
elegant classical art, SpiritWars
provides a refreshing counterpoint to the current generation of action-oriented games
offered on the Internet.
The fundamental interface and playing mechanics are reminiscent
of chess, the most time-proven strategy game in history. The dynamic population of varied
playing pieces introduces a captivating and evolving strategic element previously found
only in collectable trading card games.
Developed by Kellogg Creek
Software, SpiritWars is the result of a three-year design and development effort headed by
award-winning designer Randy Chase. The game is offered in two versions, a free version
that allows unlimited free play and an enhanced member (pay to play)
version.
SpiritWars was first released for online public play on
Dec. 20, 1998 and has logged over 250,000 games played to date. Both
versions are supported by the Kellogg Creek Software game servers.
SpiritWars, designed exclusively for on-line play, offers an
enjoyable and rewarding playing experience even
within the realistic bandwidth of consumers using 14.4 baud modems (and faster). With the
commitment to support only on-line play between human players, the design team was free to
explore strategic complications that would have been prohibitive if artificial
intelligence for computer playing opponents had been required.
SpiritWars is a turn-based game, pitting two players against one
another in a battle to destroy each others castle. The games fundamentals are
easy to learn, involving putting pieces into play on a terrain-based game board and moving
them into position to destroy the opponents castle. A widely varied population of
playing pieces and magical spells, however, create infinitely diverse playing
opportunities as each player defines a unique playing style and philosophy. The game can
be learned in minutes, but the games expanding design and population will deliver
years of challenging play.
While the addictive challenge of mastering SpiritWars provides
enough strategic options to engage the most dedicated players, even casual gamers can
easily master the basic mechanics of play. The playing world offers a rich visual and
literary world to illustrate the mythical theme of the game. The game seamlessly
integrates a stunning collection of timeless
classical art and literary prose into the unique gaming experience.
SpiritWars transports the player to
the fictional world of Valhalla to battle other players in a strategic game of battle and
conquest. The players draw from hundreds of varied spirits residing in their kingdom to
develop successful playing strategies around unique combinations of magical spirits.
The hybrid design of SpiritWars will attract players from a
variety of familiar gaming categories. SpiritWars will have immediate playing appeal to
fans of strategy games (both board and computer based) and traditional war games. The
expanding population of playing pieces, dynamically changing as players win and lose
games, will feel enticingly familiar to players of the various popular collectable trading
card games.
With a heavy reliance on traditional mythology and folklore,
SpiritWars offers a natural appeal to the fantasy gamers. The games stylish look,
anchored by an art gallery representing historys greatest painters, and its colorful literary prose clearly position
SpiritWars as an attractive alternative for players looking for a more cerebral playing
experience.
The familiar board game design will offer a friendly reference
point for casual players not comfortable with the action-oriented games currently
dominating the Internet.
SpiritWars was designed to expand and grow over time, with new
spirits being introduced into the playing population every few weeks, creating an
ever-changing world of evolving strategic options and playing opportunities.
SpiritWars is a registered trademark of Kellogg Creek Software.