MORAT Offline

Just to remind everyone that MORAT isn't just about computer games - it's about any and all types of games. So I thought I'd do a quick recommendation of some games you can play offline.

One slight oddity of offline gaming is that almost all games are only playable multiplayer on something called a 'table'. This is sorta like a LAN. Most games do not have a single player mode, although many games have mods to allow them to be played with anyone across the world. The lag can be a killer though.

All of these games are worth a look.

Avalon Hill's - Diplomacy

Probably one of the most famous long term play-by-mail games there is. Diplomacy has a simple rules set where everyone writes down their moves for the turn, and then you work out which amry gets pushed where. There are only two problems with this game - it takes AGES to sort out all the politics as players make and break alliances. The second problem is that most of the 'start of the game' strategies have been mapped out - and the people who know them will tend to win. The solution to this is to make those people play hungary.

If you like risc, or axis-and-allies (both fairly similar games) then you will want to play this.

Civilisation

It came well before the computer game and is far superior. Lots of complicated rules that boil down to 'throw every counter you've got onto the table and crush the enemy!' A few nice subtleties (such as the frantic trading to try and get gold in exchange for a bit or heresy and a rebellion or two) make for a wonderful game. It takes even longer to play than dip though, and has huge stacks of little cardboard counters which you need exactly the right number of.

Battletech

Honourable mention to this, mainly for the mech design system (which is still only partially implemented ni the computer game versions) Kinda quirky, kinda geek and with too many different versions to count - but still generally fun. Nothing quite like blowing up your mates giant fighting robots with lucky headshots from a guass rifle.

Bridge

I found myself playing this. I found myself enjoying it. The rules aren't as bad as everyone makes out, and as long as no-one takes it too seriously it can be good fun. First a bit of poker-style psychology as you try to decide whether your partner has remembered the bidding system right or not - and then some nice problem solving as you try to deduce the one correct play.

Netrunner

Quite simply, the best card game yet created. If you can find it, and find some opponents, then play it. It sorta manages to simulate cyberpunk, but has a mythos all of its own. But forget all that. Played on a level of pure psychology and strategy, it is a wonderful test of your ability to think. Unlike most card games of this type - the skill is in the playing, not in the deck building.

A game with Dice and Cups

Yup, that's its official name. You'll see it in some movies sometimes. This one is simple enough to describe here. Each player gets a certain number of dice. (Ten, say) and rolls them and hides them upside down in a cup.

Then each player, in turn, announces their score. "Four ones. Four threes. Five twos - etc." (You have to bid either the same number of dice and a higher digit, or a larger number of dice than the person before you)

Instead of bidding a new number of dice, you can challenge the person before you. They have to show their dice - and if they have the dots they said they had - you lose. But if they lied, they lose. Simple. When someone loses, they lose a die (so they will be rolling less next time) and everyone rolls their dice again. Play continues until you throw cushions at the best liar. (Or until only one person has any dice left)

This game has only one problem, if looked at sensibly - the game usually goes to a very last round where both players roll a single die. It comes down to luck then.

Illuminati

(The original SJG version, not the CCG)

How can I describe this game? You backstab, you frontstab, you employ the boy sprouts of america to assasinate the baby elder god and then you reveal that the coalition of grannies are employing orbital mind control lasers to control the gnomes of zurich.

It is very insane, and very fun - although it does suffer from tiny little counters. Although I think that's intentional, since you are positively encouraged to cheat in any way you can.

Backgammon

I have a soft spot for backgammon. Something to do with tea and biscuits. Hope that lady tanya smiles upon you when you decide to play a blocking, rather than a running, game. Quickly guesstimate probabilities of being in danger in your head. It's one of those odd games that looks like it should be entirely down to luck, but actually has quite a bit of skill buried inside. Needless to say, I suck at the 'skill' part.

The Chairmans Game