Feudal Lords
Play-by-mail role-playing game
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Feudal Lords is a closed-end, computer moderated, play-by-mail game set in medieval England. Starting as a game run through a magazine in 1977, it was first published by Graaf Simulations, later run by Flying Buffalo, Inc, and is today published by Rick Loomis PBM Games.
![](#/media/File:Image_of_multi-towered_medieval_castle_with_rocks_in_the_foreground_and_title_"Feudal_Lords"_at_the_top.jpg) Cover image of game. | |
| Designers | John Van De Graaf |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Graaf Simulations, Flying Buffalo Inc., Rick Loomis PBM Games |
| Years active | 1977 to current |
| Genres | Role-playing, medieval fantasy |
| Languages | English |
| Players | 8–17 |
| Playing time | Fixed |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
| Website | http://rickloomispbm.com/ |
History and development
John Van De Graaf created Feudal Lords in 1977 with basic gameplay, set in King Arthur times.[1] Van de Graaf published the game in his Diplomacy magazine, updating the rules and integrating a computer in 1980.[1] In 1982, following a playtest, he published the game through a new company, Graaf Simulations.[1] The design comprised economic, military and diplomatic aspects.[1]
Bill Paxton won Game #1, which ended in 1982.[1] Flying Buffalo also ran the game.[2] The copyright date on Flying Buffalo's rules written by John Van De Graaf is 1982.[2] The UK company, ICBM, ran the game from 1983 to 1990, with Sloth Enterprises picking up the game in 1991.[3] In 1984, Graaf Simulations had over 35 games running.[4] As of October 2021, Rick Loomis PBM Games publishes the game.[5] The game is computer-moderated.[6]
Gameplay
The game is set in medieval England after the death of King Arthur.[7] Each player controls one of the 46 fiefs on the map of England, with non-played fiefs acting independently.[6] Players have 32 possible orders available, but can only submit 12 per one-year turn.[6] Other limits apply, such as one military campaign annually.[6] According to reviewer Chris Frink, these constraints "make for a better-balanced, more interesting game".[6] Players must manage various aspects of medieval life, including maintaining knights, peasants, and townspeople, and accounting for economic factors such as mining and agriculture.[6] Diplomacy is critical to success; winning is not possible without alliances.[6]
The object of the game is to gain control of 23 of the 46 feifs.[6]