Quest (game)

Example turn 1 order sheet for the Border Kingdom

Play-by-mail (PBM) games feature a number of differences from tabletop games. The typical PBM game involves many more players than an average tabletop game can support.[1][lower-alpha 1] PBM game lengths are usually longer, depending on a number of factors. Turnaround time is how long a player has to prepare and submit "orders" (moves and changes to make in the game) and the company has to process them and send back turn results.[3] The average turnaround time in the 1980s was two weeks, but some modern PBM games are play-by-email (PBEM) with shorter turnaround times of twice per week or faster.[4][lower-alpha 2] Open ended games allow players to strengthen their positions without end, with players continually entering and leaving the game. Examples include Heroic Fantasy and Monster Island.[5] Conversely, closed end games typically have all players starting on equal terms, with rapid, intense, player vs. player gameplay that ends when a player or group achieves some victory condition or is unopposed.[6] Examples include Hyborian War and It's a Crime.[7] The complexity of PBM games can range from the relatively simple to the PBM game Empyrean Challenge, once described as "the most complex game system on Earth".[8][lower-alpha 3]

Once a player has chosen a game and receives an initial game setup, gameplay begins. This generally involves players filling out order sheets for a game (see example image) and sending them to the gaming company.[3] The company processes the turns and returns the results to the player, who completes a subsequent order sheet.[3] Diplomacy is also frequently an important—sometimes indispensable—part of gameplay.[10] The initial choice of a PBM game requires consideration as there is a wide array of possible roles to play, from pirates to space characters to "previously unknown creatures".[11] Close identification with a role typically increases a player's game satisfaction.[6]

Quest became available for play in 1991.[17] It is an open-ended game.[18] Patrick Rogers stated in 1993 that Quest was Europe's largest PBM game.[19] Initially well-received in Europe, by 1994, Adventures by Mail had licensed the game in the United States.[20] The game was also available for play in Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.[17] As of 1994, there were two games underway in the U.S. version, each of which could comprise 1,000 parties.[20] In the same year, Reviewer Richard L Smith identified KJC Games as the game's European publisher (based in England).[21] Peter Lambeck also identified in 1994 that, in the U.S. version, there were two games underway, each with a capacity of 1,000 parties.[21]

The game had a First and Second Age which together comprised almost 20 worlds for gameplay.[22] The Second Age featured improved combat.[23] After 2000, the game's twenty worlds consolidated into four.[22]

By 2002, KJC Games had released a new version for play: Quest Game Master Edition or Quest GME.[24] This version was also available for play by email.[24] At the time, the game—previously computer-moderated—involved a human moderator.[24] In 2002, the game continued to improve, with reviewer Dan Reed stating, "I cannot see a point in the future where boredom is likely ... An oak amongst PBM games is growing tall and wide, and will go yet further."[23]

As of 2022, KJC Games was the only game publisher.[17] The Second Age—published post-2000—remains, with plans for a Third Age never realized.[17] KJC Games also generated a version called Quest Unlimited which allows unlimited turn orders via email, permitting rapid gameplay and progress.[17]

Quest's design follows the Dungeons & Dragons model.[20] Players control parties of six players, which can expand to fifteen.[20] Four races and four professions are available for each player character.[20][lower-alpha 5] Character attributes comprised: "Gold, weapons, skill, toughness, awareness, charisma, experience, % of load, energy level and health".[18]

Initial parties require diversity in races and professions.[18] Players can explore outdoor areas and dungeons, among other areas.[20] There are various methods to find treasure and items, although some items have no use.[25] In 1992, a group of players voted a vase as the game's "most useless item".[26]

The game occurs on Kharne, a fictional world comprising an area of 200×200 squares.[20] Population centers across the island provide the groups of adventurers with various options, including shopping, transport, training, and obtaining quests.[18] Players can interact with non-player characters in and around population centers with a "talk" command.[18] While adventuring, magic, religion, and gods will likely come into play, as well as creatures such as goblins, sewer demons, lizard men, and even dragons.[18]

According to reviewer Peter Lambeck, the game's purpose is to "accumulate money and experience, build up your party, and have fun".[20] Religion, magic, and party combat are part of gameplay, with multiple gods and spells available.[18] Diplomacy is also key to successful gameplay.[24]

Quest GME involves a greater degree of in-world history related to cities and gameplay.[24]

Quest won the 1993 Origins Award for Best New Play-by-Mail Game of 1993.[27] Carol Mulholland, the editor of Flagship, recommended the game in 1994.[28]

Reviewer Lambeck stated in a 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem magazine that the turn results were very detailed and "the turns are both entertaining and engrossing".[29] In the Nov–Dec 1994 issue of Paper Mayhem magazine, Richard L. Smith outlined multiple improvements he recommended for the game while stating that he "continued to play despite the amount of frustration [he] had with the game".[30]

In the Mar–Apr 1995 issue of Paper Mayhem, Quest tied for 44th place out of 65 in the PBM Game Ratings list with a 6.241 out of 9 possible points. On the same list, Quest received the 4th largest number of reader responses of the 65 games considered.[31][lower-alpha 6]

• List of play-by-mail games