Incunabula

In this strategy game, three to seven players (1-6 humans and at least one
computer-controlled) compete to progress from tribe to clan to nation to
empire.

They will face not only each other, but also famine, plague, civil war,
insurrection, and earthquakes. To win, each player will build cities and
fleets; do battle; form alliances; produce grain, metal, and trade goods; and
barter.

Players must also choose a “basis of law” (Theocracy, Oligarchy, Utopia, or
Khanate). This choice will affect consumption rates, production, and battle
strength. It can also affect the probability and/or severity of the various
disasters. Khanates are nomadic raiders and have some slightly different rules
from the other types.

Although the game is turn-based as far as each player giving movement
commands, the execution of the commands is random. After all players have
entered their commands, the computer executes them in a random order. In some
cases, this can prevent another player’s orders from being carried out.

In addition to the main game, players can also choose from two shorter
scenarios. The first is called Imperium. In it, players just build cities and
fleets and do not trade. The winner is the player who defeats the others in
battle. The second scenario is Traders. In this game, there is no movement or
battle, just trade. The first player to accumulate 1000 trade points wins.

The game is loosely based on the Civilization board game which was published
by Avalon Hill.