Kapi Regnum
Kapi Regnum is a free online multi player browser-based game developed and provided by upjers GmbH & Co KG (formerly UpSim) in Germany. Based on the engine of the successful upjers browser game Kapilands, Kapi Regnum is an economic simulation game set in the Late Middle Ages. Starting of with the status of villein, the players are able to rise to the rank of archduke, by transforming their humble village into a thriving medieval metropolis. With more than 70.000 users on its German server after its first launch on April 27th 2007, Kapi Regnum has rapidly developed a highly ACTIVE community of players.
Gameplay
Kapi Regnum belongs to the rapidly expanding genre of browser games and as such is played directly in the internet, on a web browser. Developed to be playable by any internet user on any computer, whether private or public, the game requires no additional downloads, plug ins or installations, to operate. There are no registration fees, but users may purchase coins to use within the game, in order to speed up their village's development, as well as a Premium account that offers additional tools and features. Payments can be made via online money transfers, mobile phones, a.o., starting at 1 EUR.
An economic simulation game, Kapi Regnum is essentially a strategy game, simulating an economy based on a fictional Middle Age. The game starts off with a tutorial, helping the players discover and use the basic functions necessary to establish their own businesses. As in real-life commerce, every player's economic success depends on a deliberate managing of his/her productions, as well as a lively trade with other players.
Story
The Late Middle Ages (AD 1300-1500) are GeneRally regarded as an era of social and political upheavals and continuous warfare, triggered by such natural disasters as the Great Famine and the spreading of the Black Death. Peasant risings, religious crisis - a turbulent age, that nevertheless gave birth to important new developments in philosophy, theology, science and the arts, marked the first stages of continuing urbanization in parts of Europe (see Middle Ages) and witnessed such ground-breaking historical events Columbus' discovery of America
Drawing on this image of a culture rising from the ashes of war and famine, the story of Kapi Regnum starts off at the ending of just another (fictive) war that has ravaged the lands. The fields are barren, the population is desperate. Peace has been won at a terrible price. The players enter the game with a royal permission to trade, a bag of gold and a bare patch of land to cultivate. Starting off with the rank of villein, their efforts in raising their village from hamlet to metropolis enable them to climb the social ladder and rise from lowly servants to rich noblemen.
Creating your own medieval business empire
Resources
Players may build their village using around 40 different buildings and producing close to 80 different products. As in most economic simulations, resources are necessary for any form of production. The players start off with a certain quantity of basic resources, to enable them to set up their first workshops without having to buy additional material, but will have to start producing or trading sooner or later, once their own supplies have started to diminish.
Quality and quantity
Unlike most games, Kapi Regnum enables the players to produce any item or resource in increasing levels of quality, starting with a quality of “0”. Based on the motto "quality instead of quantity", a product's possible market value rises according to its quality level. Research therefore is essential for the production of marketable goods. But Kapi Regnum takes this equation one step further: If high quality products have a high market value, then so does the expertise needed to produce this level of quality. Paralleling real-life market-values, the trading in research or, as it is called within the game "knowledge", is as important as the trading of goods.
Status symbols
Status symbols are a highly popular game feature. While they do not offer economic advantages by themselves, owning status symbols raises the reputation of a player's city. Status symbols range from precious jewelery to mythical items, such as the Holy Grail or King Arthur's sword Excalibur. Some of these status symbols serve as presents for business-partners only and may not be sold. on the market, while others are awarded for special services to the game community. Reputation points may also be gained by erecting special buildings, such as a university, a hospital or a harbor.
Community
The game's attraction lies in its encouragement of a lively in-game communication, which is accompanied by a game board, offering the players the possibility of trading and talking outside of the game. The possibility of entirely self-sufficient playing remains, as goods may be sold and purchased on the market place without directly having to contact the seller, but a vivid inter-player communication does not only enhance the game's entertainment value, but also enables the players to establish special contractual relationships that may increase their city's economic success and raise its reputation.
Game goal
Even though the game goal technically is to rise from a lowly status to the prestigious rank of Archduke, the game's goal does not necessarily lie in how fast players may reach that level. The game's intention is the creation of a lively gaming community and the bonding of its players on a long-term basis. Game-gimmicks, such as a regularly published in-game newspaper, compiled and edited by players themselves, including quizzes, stories about and inspired by the Middle Ages and announcements of user-meetings, have been created specifically to strengthen that community-feeling.
Server
Kapi Regnum has game servers in German, Dutch and English, the English server having been launched on October 22nd 2007.
External links
Kapi Regnum Servers
Kapi Regnum.com, English server
Kapi Regnum.de, German server
Kapi Regnum.nl, Dutch server
upjers Homepage
References
upjers. Games - Kapi Regnum
Max - das Magazin für Popkultur & Style, Digital Life
Galaxy News - Games, Kapi Regnum
Schmidt, Robert, Gamesdynamite. "Kapi Regnum - Neue Statussymbole eingeführt"
Freitag, Niels, Gamessphere. "Kapi-Regnum angespielt und hinterfragt"
Online Games Inn - "New medieval economy simulation launches"