T H E   S I N G U L A R I T Y   T R A P 

☠☠

©2016 Wayne Mathias
all rights reserved
3 Dimensional Space Wargame
(computer generated boardgame)
2 - 6 Players    version 1.0
Basic Edition
 FEATURES:
 Territorial / Combat Game
with changeable alliances
and variable resources
Turn Based (vs realtime based)
using commands then actions method
Limited Sensor Info
 locations etc must be detected
Balanced Playing Field
 6 way symmetry in 3 dimensions
Simultaneous Movement, Combat, etc
 all actions happen simultaneously
once all player orders are entered
Multi-factor combat system
 Weapons, Fire Rate, Damage, Armor

TURN SEQUENCE
① Maintenance and Construction:
 Collect Points, Scrap or Maintain,
Repair, Conceal, Build
② Movement
③ Combat (cycles till all resolved)
 ④ EcoPolitical (Terraform, Alliances)

mini-multiplayer game
$1.99

Basic Edition.
Full function, no frills.

No download required to play.



SYSOP - Initial Installation

  Installation & Guide  



MOD - Manage Games

  Create/Delete/Edit Games  



PLAYERS

  Join / Enter a Game  



Tested
in Firefox
and Explorer

The old histories say, if we can trust those legends, that we left the galaxy and came to this place 5100 standard years after the diaspora from homeworld.
The recent histories say we have been here for 300 years, if years are the same here, since the warped space sucked us in.
The years being the same is in question since this place uses seven different dimensions as the t2 second time dimension.
From the old histories:
   The Eras of Galactic Expansion:
The Slowship Era:  aka Pushing the Speed of Light
The Warpship Eras: Slowship Overtake - Warp Drive Discovered
                   The Diaspora
                   First Interstellar War - Homeworld Lost
                   First Reunification
                   Second Interstellar War - Slipstream Discovered
                   Second Expansion - Quantum Linkage Manipulation Discovered
The Reboot Era:    During this era the Electromagnetic Tech was distance isolated
                   from the disruptive Quantum Tech effects. A Stargate large enough
                   for railroad service would disrupt electronics for 500 klicks around.
                   Hyperspace Jump Discovered - first probe swarm initiated.
The Jumpship Eras: Third Expansion - second probe swarm initiated.
                   Fourth Expansion - jump prediction in outer galactic arms developed
                   Third Interstellar War - blackhole jump interaction theory developed
                   Fifth Expansion - jumps predictable except 1000 light years at galactic center
                   Second Reunification
The Modern Era:    With most of the outer and mid galaxy claimed jump/slip ships are doing the
                   slow work of establishing gates in the central galaxy and launching probes.
                   Early indications are that the Massive Black Hole at galactic center throws the
                   hyperspace jump points to other galaxies. Initial 2-way jump points have been
                   mapped with 5 other galaxies. One sector, orbiting the North polar stream from the MBH,
                   has no returning probes despite a century of launches.
                   Hardy explorers and pioneers have bravely taken jumpships into this sector,
                   but none have returned. Many believe we should concentrate on the other galaxies instead.
In three hundred years we have reached a sustainable population and recreated most of the Ancestor technology.
The nanotech that manufactured babbage engines to operate in proximity to a gate still eludes us.
We have surpassed the Ancestors in gate technology, with one-way gates, the ability to retune a gate,
and finally the ability to alter a planetary node's t2 setting and quantum signature.

One-way gates have enabled us to tap into the atmosphere of gas giants for propulsion and power and funnel the exhaust back to the origin.
One-way gates make a ship an extension of a planet, with couriers and supplies moving easily between base and ship.
However, we rely on a staff to update the fleet location maps and a stack of paperwork for details,
and the ships use speaking tubes for inship communication and abacus and sliderule for calculations.

Nevertheless, our escape awaits us. Only the Others stand in our way.

The Old Guard claims
we must have and respect allies.

The Anthropos Party claims
the only solution is a final one.

The Primus Unum group says
subdue and dominate instead.

The PolitiCorp favors shifting
as advantage presents itself.



Our Foot Couriers stand ready.

Our Engineers and Constructors
are prepared.

Our Map Room is well supplied
with transparencies and markers.

Our Secretarial Pool has
new typewriters and ribbons.

A pure wargame if 
alliances are not used.

Ingame messages / chat
for distance play.

Autoreload Mode for
pass and play.


The Singularity is a closed warped space, with actual mapping revealing a cylindrical nature by spatial coordinates yet warped into a spherical shape when vectors from center are figured, while at the same time the expected surface of the sphere is also that same distance from the center.

It is believed that our section equates to the spatial disturbance orbiting the north pole of our home galactic central black hole. Use of hyperspace jump in that moving area brought us to this space, which many have dubbed the Trap. The Trap appears to comprise its own universe but draws from 6 universes.

Recent research indicates that converting all planetary nodes to a single quantum state instead of the current 7 states will open 2-way transport with that home universe.

 Level 9

Level -9
This information has been distributed to all groups within the Singularity, which is now known to be a Forerunner artifact.

With cooperation we should all be able to exit this space one group at a time, but since each quantum state is more advantageous to a different group we fear conflict may be unavoidable.

If war breaks out our ultimate goal must be to occupy and terraform all planetary nodes to our own quantum signature so we can return home.


War has been declared. Factions within each group are determined to gain control of the Singularity.

 		Game goal: To gain dominant control of the Singularity individually or as a group.

Sharing of information (map screens, etc) among players is neither allowed nor disallowed by game rules.

Can be played with players moving in sequence or out of sequence with multiple browser windows or tabs as pass-and-play or as LAN or web with multiple devices. See the installation guide.

No "save game" is required since game is constantly being saved. Exception: untransmitted orders exist on local page only and are erased if page exited or reloaded. Once transmitted they are saved and cannot be revoked.

Game Overview:

Background:
Quantum gate technology - which prevents electronics from functioning in a large area - divided society into two distinct technological geographies.
Spacer/Gatekeeper zones lacked electronics and were located a safe distance away from the Electric zones.
Hydrogen burning steam engine transports carried cargo and people between planetary zones.
Our Spacer ancestors arrived here with no electronic equipment and all gate connections suddenly severed.

Goal:
Gain control of the Singularity so escape can be accomplished.

Winning

Controlling 25 or more of the 37 planets at the beginning of 3 successive turns is a win for a single player.

Factions:
A winning faction may consist of 2 or 3 players in a 6 player game and 2 players in a 4 or 5 player game.
A faction is formed by declaration at the beginning of a turn where the faction holds 25 or more planets.
A faction must meet alliance requirements and hold 25 or more planets at the beginning of the following 2 turns to win.
A faction dissolves if required alliances are missing or the faction holds 24 or fewer planets at the beginning of a turn.

A 2 player faction consists of 2 players allied with each other and may be declared by either member.
A standard 3 player faction (with all members allied with all other members) may be declared by any member.
An empire faction is formed with a dominant player and 2 allies even if those allies are not allied with each other.
--- Only the dominant player may declare the empire and must control at least 13 planets by them self.
----- Empires additionally dissolve if a turn begins with 2 members not mutually allied and the dominant member below 13 planets.


Alliances are more a non-aggression pact between 2 players than a true alliance
- An ally cannot take your planet and might prevent someone else from taking it just by being there but might keep you from taking a planet just by being there.
- They know way too much about where you have your forces and depending on house rules might turn on you at the end of any turn.
Alliances may overlap.

Information is limited. Everyone can see the ownership and color of all planets.
--- You can see some information on another player's ships in the same space as your ships (id, type, and damage total).
     You can see the location of all allied fleets but not any details on what or how many ships.
---Dark ships can be seen only by the player they belong to and do not provide any sensor information to that player.
     Planets themselves provide no sensor information.
--- Ships can detect the presence of "unknown ships" in adjacent spaces and some have a 2 space sensor range.
--- Combat reports go to all players with a non-dark ship in the combat space during combat.

House Rules:
The game enforces mechanics only and is open to house rules for victory conditions, faction requirements, use of alliances, and information sharing.

Turn Summary:

(A) Economic - collect points and spend them on builds and repairs and maintenance
all players submit orders then information updates for the next section

(B) Movement - any mobile ships can be moved - enemy stationary ships might interrupt moves
all players submit orders then information updates for the next section

(C) Combat - all enemy ship same space encounters continue combat rounds until no further combat is possible
after all combat is completed planet ownership changes are processed and information is updated for the final section

(D) Ecopolitical - planets change colors and alliance settings are submitted
negotiate and submit desired alliance settings - after all submit the information updates and the next turn begins

The Display

Top of Page
The game board with planets and ownerships is a background image with a transparent overlay for each of the 19 levels plus a combined strategic overlay.
Markers are positioned on the overlays for fleets and sensor data.
Level select buttons and summary markers are to the right of the board. The order Entry/Results panel is to the right of that.
The  ❎  just left of Economic Points is a link to the Lobby page.



Middle of Page
In the middle is a quick reference section - ship types, planet points/colors chart, and encoded untransmitted orders.



End of Page
Individual ship details, encounter info, and charted hyperspace jumps in grouped sorted list report form.



Click here to open the rules in condensed format.


Detailed Rules: the long winded with a whole bunch of pictures version

In depth but you get a better overall grasp with the condensed format first.


At the beginning of the game each player holds 1 planet (the color coded space) and has 5 points.

Each turn consists of 4 main sections. All players submit complete orders for each section and then all orders are processed at the same time.
In the case of combat, a new combat round with new odds etc. will begin as long as any possible combats remain.

Tech note:
A buffer is used to store encoded orders until you transmit them - clear this buffer by reloading the page - you can transmit partial orders and still continue.
Combat is a store then transmit for each location step-thru process each round.


A - Economic (MAINTENANCE and CONSTRUCTION)

--Collect 1-5 points per planet owned depending on color (your color = 5, 2 closest colors = 4, gray = 3, 2 semi-opposite colors = 2, far side color = 1),

Example: for the red player:


--followed by scrap orders (ships not scrapped cost 1 point each to maintain),


--then repair orders (1 point repairs 1 point damage) as desired and you can afford,


--then you can order any ships not being repaired to hide (damage the ship system to go dark - dark ships are out of play until repaired but must be maintained),


--and finally any build orders are submitted - can build at any owned planet - unused points are saved

All ships also have a system unit - if damaged the ship goes dark.
All non-dark ships have a sensor range of 1 space.
Only ships can see or detect other ships. Planets are blind.



A sensor unit gives a 2 space sensor range instead of just a single space.
Multifire (fire multi) allows 1 shot per weapon instead of just a single shot.
A Terraformer must have undamaged terraforming to change a planet's color.
Slip and Jump are required for slipstream and jump movement.
Drive determines number of warps and/or jumps and slipstream range.
Weapons determine odds in combat and also affect multifire shots.
Armor must be gone before other units are damaged in combat.



When the final orders are transmitted all are processed and maps and paperwork update with the new information.
===================================================================================================================================

Auto mode: 
When final player finishes submitting orders and triggers order processing, that player will then see the following result or action panel.
All other player displays will advance from WAITING ON OPPONENTS to the following result or action panel on their next page access or reload.

When you are WAITING ON OPPONENTS the blank black button (below the transmit buttons) will change to an Activate Auto Mode button.
Auto Mode is automatic page reload every 10 seconds while still WAITING ON OPPONENTS.
===================================================================================================================================

B - Movement


Moves are ordered as a series of segments. An encounter with a stationary non-allied ship at the end of any segment ends movement for that ship.
--Ships already in an encounter cannot move. Ships that have no drive units cannot move. Ships that do not move are stationary.
--If a ship is ordered to move with no change in position it is still "moving" rather than stationary.

Dark ships (hidden, damaged system) cannot move but are dark rather than stationary.

Drive units - Each drive unit can power 1 jump or 1 warp. Slipstream range is 1 space per drive unit
- a ship uses slipstream as the first move segment followed by any warp segments.
Ships with jump drives can order any mixture of warps and jumps.

Slipstream and Warp are vector plus distance with warp distance always being 1.

Vectors are a board direction plus a vertical component.
Vector selection uses symbols for board direction and vertical movement.

A Jump from any space moves to a fixed (randomly predetermined for each war and location) space and lists the jump in your charts.
Jumps are one way, not reciprocal. The space you jump into has its own jump outof destination.

The  ❎  just left of Economic Points is a link to the Lobby page.


When all players have entered final move orders the moves are processed and the Navigation Log will display.



The Navigation Log will be blank if no ships moved.
If a ship attempts to move off the map that move will show Invalid in the log and movement ends.
--- vertical levels of map go from -9 to 9
If a ship encounters a Stationary non-Dark enemy ship that move will show Static Encounter and movement ends.
Combat begins when final player is finished with the Navigation Log.

C - Combat

 You attack with the combined weapons power of all your target's enemies and defend with all the weapons power of your attacker's enemies that are present in a combat.
Attacker enemies AE and target enemies TE with chance to hit as TE / (AE+TE).

The number of shots you fire depend on your ships and can be allocated among any available targets. All shots must be fired.

Each ship that has a weapon gets 1 shot.
A cruiser or basestar with undamaged multifire gets 1 shot per weapon unit (these are the only ships with more than 1 weapon unit).

Shots that hit damage armor first and after any armor is reduced to 0 damage a random remaining unit on the target ship.
All damage is applied each round. Each hit removes a unit from the target ship so the next hit removes one of the remaining units.
A drive of 2 is actually 2 drive units with weapons and armor being similar while system, sensors, and such are all single units.
1 hit = 1 point damage = 1 unit taken out.

Units that affect combat capability are weapons, armor, multifire, and system.

All ships have a system unit and if it is damaged the ship goes Dark and vanishes to all other players until repaired.
This is same as hiding a ship during the economic portion of the turn and is an Achilles' heel for all ships.

(If weapons and drive both reach 0 the ship is destroyed and vanishes.)

Damaged multifire limits number of shots that ship can make to 1 per round instead of 1 per weapon.

If weapons are reduced to 0 a ship becomes just another target and cannot fire any shots.

Other units are non-combat capabilities: Slip and Jump units, Sensor unit which extends sensor range by 1 space,
Drive units that can keep a weaponless ship still around as a target but have no other combat effect,
and Terraforming units which determine whether a Terraformer that remained stationary can change a planet's color.
In combat these units give the important units things to hide out amongst.



After all players have transmitted orders for all ongoing combats, combat is resolved and reports generated.

  

On the first combat round all players with non-Dark ships in a combat space with enemy non-Dark ships will see firing options.
On successive rounds players with 0 shots at enemies will not see firing options.

Combat reports are generated at end of each round for players who had a non-Dark ship in the combat space regardless of combat participation.
After all reports are seen the round is complete and either another round or ownership come next.

After each combat round a new combat round will begin as long as possible combats remain.
When no combats remain planet ownerships will update for the final section of the turn.

Planet ownerships change according to ship locations and weapon strengths.
A weapon strength of more than 0 is required to take over a planet. Dark ships do not count.

Unowned - goes to highest weapon total or nobody if a tie.

Owned - goes to highest enemy if not a tie, unchanged if ally or owner is highest or tied for highest, becomes unowned if enemies are tied for highest.

D - EcoPolitical

Terraforming:

Every owned planet where the owner has a stationary (did not move this turn) terraformer with an undamaged terraforming unit will change color
1 step closer to the owner's color if not already matching.

Terraforming is automatic to go from 2 to 3 points (that would be going gray) and from 4 to 5 points (your own color).
Where you have a choice of 2 colors (the 2 point and the 4 point colors) you can pick either one.

Alliance Settings:

Each player submits alliance settings as a yes/no for each other player.
If 2 players have each other set as yes they are allies for the following turn.
If either has the other set as no then they are not allies.

The alliance setting options appear with current alliances already set to yes.



After all players transmit alliance settings actual alliances are determined, information updated, and the next turn begins

Allies do not fire at each other in combat and they do not add to enemies weapon factor in combat calculations.
A stationary ally will not interrupt movement. Ally fleet locations show on the game map (but not Dark ships).

Dark ships that survive combat can be repaired to pin the other fleet in place. An annoying strategic/tactical trick that deserves mention.

Map Tokens



 




 





Game Setup - Starting a War


Whoever knows the Mod password creates a war. When all done fighting a war the Mod can delete it. Mod can also resign a player from a war.

Players join the war (select war, select color, and make a password) which puts them on the player lobby page logged in
- they can make a shortcut to the lobby page already logged into the war.

The player lobby page can open chat in a new tab. You enter the game (the map page) from the lobby and e❎it the game to the lobby.
A player can resign themselves from a war on the lobby page.



      👩   🐧   👾   👮  

Those pictures up above are HTML character codes displayed in a 20px font-size.
If you see them as black on grey (text color on background) you might be using Explorer as a browser. Firefox users see pretty colors.
HTML character codes can be used in the Chat / Message board in the game. - see websitebuilders.com/tools/html-codes for codes.
But it sure looks better in Firefox than it does in Explorer for the character codes with built-in colors.