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From: beecher@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Ben Beecher)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.games
Subject: Spaceward Ho!
Message-ID: <1991Feb2.002015.13082@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu>
Date: 2 Feb 91 00:20:15 GMT
Reply-To: beecher@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (Ben Beecher)
Organization: Columbia University
Lines: 73

I want to add my voice to those who praise Delta Tao Software for
their fabulous new game, Spaceward Ho!  Here are a couple of excerpts
from recent comments in this newsgroup:

cem@cs.brown.edu (Charlie Moylan) writes:
>To anyone interested in excellent strategy games for the Macintosh:
>  Recently I picked up a copy of a game called "Spaceward Ho!" from a
>tiny company called Delta Tao.  It is one of the best Mac games I've
>ever played.

tel@adimail.UUCP (Terry Monks) writes:
>Delta Tao seems to be a nice organization...What I like about
>them is the feel of the early Mac and Apple days. Sort of a Zen/Tao free
>atmosphere comes across.

I share Terry's opinion of this small, friendly company.  Their
software is top-notch and they use minimal packaging to help preserve
our environment.  The programs I bought come in slim white boxes
without styrofoam or cardboard fillers.  Spaceward Ho! and Strategic
Conquest V3.0 are reasonably priced ($30 each) and Delta Tao sends an
invoice with the package so the customer pays AFTER receiving the
product.  They ask for comments from their customers and their
emphasis is on producing quality software rather than making a big
profit.  It's very encouraging to find a company with this
orientation.

Now, about the game...

Spaceward Ho! is the best strategy game I've seen.  The rules are
fairly simple yet there are many different strategies you can pursue.
The object is to take over as much of the galaxy as possible, while
competing against one or more computer players.  You can also play
against other human players over the network.  You have to allocate
your resources to building spaceships (various types) and advancing
your technology.  As your technology improves you can build better
spaceships.  Here are some of the strategic decisions you need to
make, bearing in mind that your strategy must change as the game
develops:

  * Do you want to build spaceships sooner or wait until you have
    better technology?

  * What emphasis do you put on the five technologies: range, speed,
    weapons, shields, and miniturization?

  * Spread out to colonize more planets, or concentrate on defending
    the planets you have?

  * Do you want to maximize your income, your resources, your
    spaceships, or your planets?

You have to explore the planets in the galaxy until you find some that
are habitable.  Use your income to make a planet more habitable, or
use it to extract resources from the planet and to build more
spaceships.  Remember to conserve your resources because towards the
end of the game they become scarce.

The game information is displayed in one big window and about four
smaller windows so that you can display everything at the same time if
you have a large monitor.  Otherwise you can display only those
windows you are interested in.  There is also a help window which
gives you information about the item your cursor is pointing to.  I
could go on but I'll save my breath and keep reading this newsgroup
for more comments about Spaceward Ho!

For more information contact:
	Delta Tao Software		(408) 730-9336
	760 Harvard Ave.
	Sunnyvale, CA 94087

Ben Beecher		beecher@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu
Network Planning	212-854-7439
Columbia University