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From: jeffrey m. braun <jmbraun@ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Looking for a game like "The Warp Factor"...
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Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1993 19:51:07 GMT
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A long time ago when I was young and had a Apple II+, I played a game
called "The Warp Factor".  It was a space strategy game consisting of two
sides.  Each side could have a variety of ships which the player would
pick from a list of different fleets.  These fleets were loosely based
upon popular sci-fi movies and t.v. shows (Star Trek, Star Wars,
BattleStar Galactica, etc.). 

The two sides could consists of any number of ships (well actually, I
think you were limited to nine on each side; but nine's a lot to handle
in this game), and this perhaps gave the computer game it's real spice. 
One game might consist of only an X-Wing fighter (actually called a
Freeman Fighter) verses a Tie-Fighter (actually known as an Imperial
Fighter); while another game might team a fleet of three Federation
Dreadnoughs against six Kligon Heavy Crusiers (and again, the Federation
was actually known as the Alliance and the Kligons were the Klargons).  

Finally if this wasn't enough, you didn't simply "win" the game by
destroying the other side.  The  computer would rate the battle and
determine who did better, and pronouce them the winner.  In example,
seven kligon Dreadnoughs would easily destroy one X-Wing fighter, but the
X-Wing might end up winning the game based upon this tremendous handicap.
 The computer would base it's decision upon a predefined rating for each
ship (X-Wing class had a rating of 1, Federation Dreadnough had a rating
9, and on up to a Starbase rated at 21), as well as the amount of ship
damage, and whether a ship was destoried or captured.  (Captured ships
are worth two-times their normal value; so one strategey is to
destroy/recapture any ship your opponent might have captured from you). 
Often games would end in a draw, with a slight advantage being given to
the side that left standing.  

It was a very enjoyable game.  You could make detailed attack plans based
upon your ships weapons and defenses and the preceived strength of the
otherside.  You had fine controls over all areas of your ships system. 
Plus the game required a lot of cleverness on your part, in order to win
the game verses simple being the last one alive.  This was probably one
of the greatest features for two people playing each other, although
knowing you out witted the computer was fun as well.  

The game was sold by Strategy Games, but I've called the company and they
no long make it.  

So why am I posting this detailed listing of experiences from my past? 
Well, I was wondering if there is anything out on the market or on the
network that sounds like this game AND can be played from a home
Macintosh Centris 650?  I've just recently bought the machine and I would
love if I could find any sort of version of this game.  I am also very
interested in any source code as well. 

Thanks.  

Jeff Braun

p.s.
 If you send me e-mail please send to either jmbraun@ucs.indiana.edu or
jmbraun@iubacs; replying to this post probably won't work.  

--
jeffrey m. braun
internet: jmbraun@ucs.indiana.edu
bitnet: jmbraun@iubacs
