| Designers | Jonathan Bean |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Roma (Aus), Circle (NZ), Flying Buffalo (US, Madhouse (UK), The Ninth Legion (UK) |
| Genres | Role-playing |
| Languages | English |
| Players | 16 |
| Playing time | Fixed |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
| Synonyms | Lizards! |
Lizards (or Lizards!) is a closed-end, computer moderated, play-by-mail role-playing wargame.
History and development
Lizards was designed by Jonathan Bean, [1] and published in Australia by Roma. [2] It was also published by Circle in New Zealand and Madhouse in the United Kingdom, [2] and Guerilleros Associes in France as of 1996. [3] Flying Buffalo, Inc. published the game in the United States. This low-complexity game was closed-ended and computer moderated. [4] The game's rulebook was high-quality with a color cover—unusual for a PBM game. [2] It had humor woven throughout. [5] In 2001, The Ninth Legion in the UK was publishing the game. [4]
Gameplay
Lizards is a wargame involving fighting clans of lizards. [2] Players led individual clans. [2] 16 total players vied for victory on a 32×32 hex map. [2] Besides other players, the setting contained various living and nonliving lethal threats to players, from sea monsters to volcanoes. [2] Five types of lizards were available for players: (1) red lizards, or troops, (2) green lizards, or farmers, (3) black lizards, or spellcasters, (4) grey lizards, or builders, and (5) spies, which could be any color. [2]
Reception
A commentator in 1996 found the game entertaining but suffered from slow clan movement rates. [6] A reviewer in a 1996 issue of Flagship said it was "A good game", although he thought the gameplay was simple, which could appeal to some players. [5]
See also
References
- ^ Cavit 1995. p. 36.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Smith 1995. p. 21.
- ^ Editors 1996. p. 9.
- ^ a b Lamb 2001. p. 19.
- ^ a b Smith 1995. p. 23.
- ^ Editors 1996. p. 34.
Bibliography
- Cavit, Errol (May–June 1995). "Lizards Strategy Debate". Flagship. No. 55. p. 36.
- Editors (January–February 1996). "The Spokesmen Speak: France". Flagship. No. 59. p. 9.
- Editors (January–February 1996). "Rumours from the Front: Lizards". Flagship. No. 59. p. 34.
- Lamb, Greg A. (March–April 2001). "Lizards! Not as Simple as It Looks, and Always Fun". Flagship. No. 90. pp. 19–21.
- Smith, Trav (March–April 1995). "Lizards". Flagship. No. 54. pp. 21–23.