| Game Spotlight: Starshiptraders.com by Jaded Starshiptraders.com is a free online multiplayer starship trading strategy game. While simplistic in appearance, the game provides a wide variety of addictive gameplay that can range from simple trading mechanics to complex political schemes. |
The basic premise of this free online only strategy game is to attempt to capture the #1 ranking, with either a solo ship or a team of ships, by either trading goods, destroying your opponents or some combination of the two. Each player can play up to eight different starships, which are represented in game by a text display of a player chosen ship name and team call sign (if you have one). By utilizing a telnet or web-based interface, players can move their starships amongst various numbered sectors in a multitude of different galaxies. The galaxies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are filled with various resources and obstacles for the players to encounter.
At first glance Starshiptraders.com doesn’t look like it would be a whole lot of fun. There are no graphics and the gameplay is fairly simplistic. However, there is much more to this game than meets the eye.
Starships can be customized at various trading posts. Additional holds, protective shields or computers that increase offensive ability can be purchased. Boosters for inter-galactic travel and homing devices for keeping track of your competition are also available.
Trading consists of either purchasing goods from various trading ports or picking up some free goods off planets that are scattered amongst the galaxies and then transporting the goods in your starship to another trading port that needs to buy them. The prices offered by ports fluctuate according to supply and demand, so the basic object is to acquire goods at the cheapest rate and sell them to the ports offering the highest prices. However, the ships must also take into account the fuel cost of transporting their goods, if they wish to make the highest profits.
The war aspect of the game is much like a game of hide and seek. While an unprotected ship remains visible to all who pass through its sector, players can construct defensive starbases that hide their starships from view. Choosing sectors that are difficult to access and/or infrequently visited also plays a large role in defensive strategy. On the offensive side of things, players can build fighter ships to attack other players’ starships and starbases. Attack starbases, which sit in an individual sector and attack any non-team ships that enter, can also be constructed.
By far one of the most intriguing aspects of this game is the political maneuvering that often accompanies the team competitions. An in-game radio and out-of-game message board system facilitates communication between players. The strategizing and political manipulations involved with the inevitable conflict between competing teams is surprisingly complex and entertaining.
Starshiptraders.com is one of those rare games that can be either as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. Playing sessions can last minutes or hours, depending on individual playing style. You can choose to play solely for individual rank or join up with a team or spend all your time flying around and socializing on the radio. The game is as simply addictive to play as it is simple to pick up.
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