============================================================ SUPERNOVA II A Never-Ending Strategic Scale Space Power Game ============================================================ --Introduction to SuperNova II-- SuperNova II is based on the highly popular SuperNova game system which was nominated for the GAMA Best PBM Game of the Year award in 1986. SuperNova II is an improved version of this game. SuperNova II has enjoyed considerable success since its initial release and was voted the Best PBM Game of 1988 by the readers of the PBM magazine, Paper Mayhem. The inspiration for SuperNova II comes from many years of exposure to science fiction, wargaming and Play by Mail gaming. The Rolling Thunder design team has spent many years in the Play by Mail industry and it is our pleasure to bring this game to you. It's what we do, it's all we do! SuperNova II (SN II) is a correspondence game of galactic conquest, colonization and exploration based on the highly popular SuperNova game system. Rolling Thunder Games moderates SuperNova II using a computer system for data storage & combat resolution, and a full time staff of professional gamemasters to handle your instructions. As a player, you choose your own objectives, interact with an unlimited number of other players and control your own destiny. You will construct might warfleets, colonize entire worlds and explore the galaxy in search of the unknown. You will constantly make decisions that will affect the course of your empire, influence the history of the galaxy and perhaps even the history of the universe. SuperNova II provides a playing environment of incredible detail, diversity and flexibility. The galaxies of SuperNova II are a complete space fantasy environment featuring detailed planets, diverse lifeforms and many, many unknown elements that wait to be discovered. All this and more you will discover as your exploration vessels leave your home system to explore the stars. --History of the Galaxy-- The galaxy consists of several clusters of stars that are referred to as Star Regions. The distance between Star Regions is very great and travel between them has, so far, been impossible. Initially your race will be concerned with the more immediate needs of a young, growing empire but, in time, you will become aware of the deeds of past civilizations and the secrets which have lain secret for uncounted centuries. As your empire expands among the stars, you will slowly become aware of events that occurred long ago. It is fabled that ancient races once roamed the galaxy at will, but some unknown cataclysm brought them to the brink of extinction. It is believed that some still exist, but little is known of them. Indeed, there is much to learn as you prepare to send forth your intrepid scouts and explorers.... --The Galactic Map-- The galaxy has been divided into a number of large Star Regions. Initially you will know very little about the Region in which your empire begins its rise to power, and even less will be known about nearby regions. The physical limitations for each Star Region are 61 sectors wide by 61 sectors tall by 9 sectors thick, thus allowing for three-dimensional movement. The total volume of space per region is 33,500 sectors. The number of possible Regions in the galaxy you will be in is virtually unlimited. The game will continue to expand into new Regions as long as there is enough interest to warrant such expansion. The center of the galaxy is represented by the Aldebaran Star Region while other areas are represented by the Draconis, Orion, Centauri, Rigel, Procyon, Eridani, Sirius and Herculis Star Regions. The ancient history of each Region will be related to that of the other Regions and many of the special finds, ancient sites and so forth will be similar. There are differences, however, from Region to Region. Some of the changes are minor while others are quite significant. Thus, players who are participating in more than one Region will find that each Region has a slightly different flavor to it. In addition, each Star Region is linked to the others so that an empire founded in one Star Region can someday travel to another Star Region. The distances between Star Regions is considered to be too great, however, to allow for normal movement between them and special methods (and technology) are required. The secret of such travel is, of course, unknown in the beginning of the game and may require several years to discover. Young races in newly established Star Regions have no reason to fear the races of older Star Regions, at least in the beginning. Later, when the young have had time to grow and expand, to form alliances and gather knowledge, the possibility of meeting a race from an older Star Region can be considered. --Current Game Status-- Currently (as of June 1993), four Star Regions (Andromeda, Draconis, Orion, and Rigel) are up and running (and several regions are running in the USA). A new region, Sirius, will start in a few months from now. SuperNova II remains as the largest active large scale space power game in the world, with a huge following of active players. For more information or to join, contact: The PBM Express PO Box 885 3300 AW Dordrecht The Netherlands tel: 078-316453 fax: 078-316474 bbs: 078-316476 (8N1)