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Space (computer game)

Space
Developer(s) Edu-Ware
Publisher(s) Edu-Ware
Designer(s) Steven Pederson
Sherwin Steffin
Platform(s) Apple II
Release
Genre(s) Role-playing video game
Mode(s) Single player
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Space II
Developer(s) Edu-Ware
Publisher(s) Edu-Ware
Designer(s) Steven Pederson (creator)
Sherwin Steffin (creator)
David Mullich (designer)
Platform(s) Apple II
Release
Genre(s) Role-playing video game expansion pack
Mode(s) Single player
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Space is a text-based role-playing video game franchise for the Apple II that was originally designed by Steven Pederson and Sherwin Steffin of Edu-Ware Services, and then expanded upon in a sequel by David Mullich, in 1979. These games were notable for not only being one of the first science fiction RPG's to appear on personal computers, but also for providing a level of realism not found in other games of the time.

Players begin by creating characters to play in a futuristic interstellar society and then enrolling them in one of the military services: Navy, Army, Scouts, Merchant Marines, and other Services. While in the service, players choose their character's training, provided they qualify for it. Depending upon characters' physical and mental abilities, they may learn such skills as brawling, bribery, swordsmanship, computers, interstellar navigation, spaceship piloting, and so on. Through training and study, characters can also increase their base physical and mental abilities.

Characters have a choice to leave the service after every four years of enlistment, provided that they have not been killed or suffered serious injury. After retiring from the service, characters can engage in one of the scenarios that are included with each version of the game. Scenarios can increase a character's wealth or grant possessions, but with the exception of the Psychodelia scenario in Space II, they cannot voluntarily alter a character's abilities. However, most character traits degrade over time as the character ages during gameplay. If a character dies during any of the scenarios, the text file defining the character is immediately erased from the game disk.

The game system was based upon the Traveller role-playing-game, created by Game Designers Workshop, which sued Edu-Ware for copyright infringement in 1982. In an out-of-court settlement, both Space and Space II were removed from the market.


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