Family Wars is a closed-end, play-by-mail (PBM) game. It was published by Andon Games.
Gameplay Family Wars was a closed-end, computer moderated play-by-mail game.Webber 1988. pp. 14–15. It was an organized crime game with players acting as the family leader.Wieck 1988. p. 54. 18 players led crime families in a 14 × 20-block city comprising multiple precincts. The setting was the 1930s.Webber 1988. p. 14. Players used "effort points" to conduct various actions.Wieck 1988. p. 55. Diplomacy was also a key part of gameplay. According to reviewer David Webber, "winning the game depend[ed] upon your skill at recruiting family members, influencing public officials, increasing your income, and eliminating your enemy facilities".
According to reviewer Patrick O. Dick, the three most important elements of gameplay were diplomacy, political influence, and warfare.
Reception In a 1988 issue of White Wolf, reviewer Stewart Wieck said that Family Wars was a "very enjoyable game", and recommended it to readers. Paper Mayhem editor in chief David Webber also reviewed the game in a 1988 issue, stating "I liked Family Wars."Webber 1988. p. 15. Webber noted that diplomacy was the best part of the game and emphasized its importance. Patrick O. Dick echoed this, stating that it was first "a game of diplomacy".Dick 1986. p. 31.
See also It's a Crime (play-by-mail game) List of play-by-mail games
References
Bibliography