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Lizards (game)

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Lizards
DesignersJonathan Bean
PublishersRoma (Aus), Circle (NZ), Flying Buffalo (US, Madhouse (UK), The Ninth Legion (UK)
GenresRole-playing
LanguagesEnglish
Players16
Playing timeFixed
Materials requiredInstructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil
Media typePlay-by-mail or email
SynonymsLizards!

Lizards (or Lizards!) is a closed-end, computer moderated, play-by-mail role-playing wargame.

History and development

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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

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Cavit 1995. p. 36.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Smith 1995. p. 21.
  3. ^ Editors 1996. p. 9.
  4. ^ a b Lamb 2001. p. 19.
  5. ^ a b Smith 1995. p. 23.
  6. ^ Editors 1996. p. 34.

Bibliography

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  • 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.