SpiritWars
SpiritWars 3.0 is an on-line turn-based, role-playing (RPG) strategy game built on the rich tradition of classic board games. It features collectible trading cards (TCG) artwork in an online format. It combines aspects of games like Magic: The Gathering, Chess and board-war-game mechanics.
Competition
Competition is one-on-one between two opposing players. However many enthusiasts play multiple games with multiple opponents simultaneously. In addition to hosting competitions, the online server matches up players seeking a game 24/7/365. The community of players is such that there is almost always an opponent available anytime a user logs on. One article reports that over half a million games had been played by 2006. Unlimited free play, tournaments, league play, regular game expansions and a friendly online gaming community made SpiritWars interesting to players into online strategy games.
Play
As with Magic, The Gathering a player accumulates a hand of spells to cast. The hand is replenished one card per turn. Some spells are power sources, others create defenses that can be used to block attacks by enemies. Some spells create warrior/critters that can both move and attack.
The Game Space
The game is played on a hex grid. Initially a player does not know where the opponent is, but somewhere out there is their castle/home base. To win, a player must the opponent's castle. Like the ancient game of Go, SpiritWars was designed to take a few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master.
Business
The name SpiritWars is registered with the USPTO, and has been successfully defended.
The business model is free + fee. Anyone can play anytime for free. However players get more options for a few dollars.
In the free mode, players get AbOUT 200 different spirits (cards), and the ability to customize their dungeon (deck).
Paying members start with over 600 cards, plus hundreds of different maps. Paying customers gain new powers with each victory and lose some with each loss.
Evolution
SpiritWars has become very polished, and smooth-playing over the years. This is a common advantage for this kind of online game, with an ACTIVE developer and a dedicated fan base: they can and do get better with age.
Launched in 1998, SpiritWars was kept online by Randy Chase, the original developer, after its original publisher disappeared into a merger.
Chase kept it going for fans under the banner of Kellogg Creek Software and continued to add upgrades up to the moment of his Untimely passing at 53 in early 2009. Since then, his family has struggled to keep it running off and on. It is currently up and running.
The Chase family is currently seeking a new publisher for the game.