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Abstract Games online (against people and real time)
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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This list wants to gather all the information about abstract games playable on-line in real time.
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I strongly encourage you to make comments or corrections to the data
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The rules:
1) Only abstract strategy games.
For a definition of what I consider an abstract strategy games, look at the great list by CDRodeffer:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
For information about online play of non-abstract games please look at these excelent lists :
Computer Versions of Board Games:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
Best Multiplayer Online Board/Card Games:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
2) Only servers to play against other humans.
The best program for a computer opponent in dozens and dozens of games is "Zillions of Games". The interface is easy, the graphics are good and the expandability is infinite. The demo version play only the standard games. For adding the hundreds of user submitted games you will have to pay for the complete version. The Zillion website is at:
www.zillionsofgames.com
Aside for zillion you can check the excellent list by Chaosbreaker: Free Computer Artificial Intelligence Opponents for Abstract Strategy Games
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
3) Only real-time play.
For playing abstracts by email your best bet is Richard Pbem (Gamerz.net). Dozens of text based games, most of which are impossible to find elsewhere. For many games there is also a graphical interface.
http://www.gamerz.net/pbmserv/
You will find much more information (and links to graphical interfaces) on Richard's Pbem here :
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
Another interesting turn-based server for abstracts is Little Golem, with about 15 games, including Go, Breakthrough, Amazons, LOA, Einstein, Connect 6. The interface is completely graphical and easy to use.
www.littlegolem.net
Some less known and recent invented abstract games (like Blam! and games by Mark Steere) can be played by email at Super Duper Games:
http://games.daltons.ca/
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist.php3?action=view&listi...
4) Places where you can actually play.
Some multigames server have a lot of games, but then it is almost impossible to find an opponent in some of the games. Any addition here should be of a place where there is always someone connected, or if no place qualifies it should specify the times at which is possible to find opponents.
5) Preferably Free.
I will try to list only free sites. If a game can be played only on a pay-site, or if no free site has enough players, then there will be a paysite listed.
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1.
Board Game: 56 Games!
[Average Rating:5.02 Unranked]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Server for multiple games. Some of them are listed again for the specific games.
Sites:
www.kurnik.org
Polish site with a complete english (and many other language). Many games and great interface. Lots of strong player, some of who speak english. Probably the best server for abstract games.
www.brettspielwelt.de
It is THE place for gaming online. Plenty of games, and some abstracts too. In particular Ingenious and Clans which are not available elsewhere. The interfce (only with client download) is a little clumsy, especially if you don't speak german. Look at http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/77942 for a complete guide with instructions and a list of games.
http://games.yahoo.com/
http://zone.msn.com/
Enourmous sites with many games and thousands of players. They have some issues with cheaters, rude users and other usual problem of the big servers.
www.boardspace.net
Difficult to get used to the interface, but great graphics and many games available. Usually the number of player is limited, so it is better to schedule a match.
www.ludoteka.com
Spanish site with english version. Some games can be found only here (Unlur, Frisian Checkers...). The attendance is very good (altough you can have trouble in finding skilled opponents for the most esotic games). The interface is really friendly and clear. Rated games and some other features are available only paying.
www.highergames.com
Another site with a lot of games. Fancy interface and many games which can`t be found anywhere else. The attendance is not that great yet, but I expect it to increase.
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2.
Board Game: Go
[Average Rating:7.78 Overall Rank:43]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: http://kgs.kiseido.com/
Attendance : More than 100 people.
Best Time : Anytime.
Web Interface : Java based.
Clients : With additional features, like avatars.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.vog.ru
Attendance : 20-30 people
Best Time : Anytime
Web Interface : Not available.
Clients : Downloadable. Very good interface.
Comments:
In addition to every kind of checkers it has also backgammon, chess and some other games.
It is a pay-site if you want a fixed nickname and some other perks. However it is the best for checkers that I have found. For a free site try yahoo games.
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5.
Board Game: Blokus
[Average Rating:7.14 Overall Rank:214]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.blokus.com
Attendance : 8-10 people
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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7.
Board Game: Twixt
[Average Rating:6.60 Overall Rank:858]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.k2z.org
Attendance : 2-5 people
Best Time : Sunday 8pm GMT
Web Interface : Java.A little clumsy.
Clients : Downloadable Windows.
Comments:
At the moment the server is down.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.tantrix.com
Attendance : 10-30
Best Time : Anytime.
Web Interface : Java. A little clumsy.
Clients : None.
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9.
Board Game: Hex
[Average Rating:6.76 Overall Rank:1512]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.kurnik.org
Attendance : 5-10
Best Time : 11am-11pm GMT.
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
Other Site: www.boardspace.net
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10.
Board Game: ZÈRTZ
[Average Rating:7.36 Overall Rank:189]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
-
Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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11.
Board Game: YINSH
[Average Rating:7.67 Overall Rank:69]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.kurnik.org
Attendance : dozens of people.
Best Time : Anytime.
Web Interface : Java based.
Clients : None.
Other Site: http://games.yahoo.com/
Attendance : hundreds of people.
Best Time : Anytime.
Web Interface : Professional Java based.
Clients : None.
Comments:
To access click on "All 29 boardagames" and then on "Reversi".
The usual problem of yahoo games apply also here. Cheaters, wildly varying strenght/rating ratio, bad-behaved kids and some obnoxious people. All in all,however, it is enjoyable.
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14.
Board Game: Arimaa
[Average Rating:7.53 Overall Rank:959]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.arimaa.net
Attendance : 3-4 people.
Best Time : Usually 1AM - 5AM GMT
Web Interface : Nice Java based.
Comments:
Good environment. The technical level of the site is high, with replayable games, bots, possibility to comment and analize, forums.
Clients : None.
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15.
Board Game: Unlur
[Average Rating:7.68 Unranked]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
-
Site: www.ludoteka.com
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java based.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
-
Site: www.kurnik.org
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Comments: There is another site ( www.chesssky.net) which at the moment seems to be down.
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Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.brettspielwelt.de
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : None.
Clients : Downloadable
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18.
Board Game: Clans
[Average Rating:6.57 Overall Rank:703]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.brettspielwelt.de
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : None.
Clients : Downloadable
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19.
Board Game: Octi
[Average Rating:6.84 Overall Rank:1665]
Maurizio De Leo
Italy
Milano
MI
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Site: www.highergames.com
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Graphics rich Flash interface.
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Dave Dyer
United States
Playa Del Rey
California
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Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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21.
Board Game: Trax
[Average Rating:6.61 Overall Rank:1571]
Dave Dyer
United States
Playa Del Rey
California
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Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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22.
Board Game: PÜNCT
[Average Rating:6.94 Overall Rank:612]
Dave Dyer
United States
Playa Del Rey
California
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Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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Dave Dyer
United States
Playa Del Rey
California
-
Site: www.boardspace.net
Attendance :
Best Time :
Web Interface : Java.
Clients : None.
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Playa Del Rey
California
For games without a deep pool of opponents, the best
way to play is to arrange a rendevous with one of your
usual opponents. It's fun to carry on a grudge match
"same time next week!"
This new game uses a flash interface and phpbb to record usernames win/loss records. It involves the sort of thought that goes into chess, but is military themed. It also meets your criteria (i.e. free, etc)
I will often be online alot this week if you want to play.
Take care,
Ron
Bozeman
MT
haven't played there, but it looks big and active, and has lots of abstracts.
longwy
france
www.gyges.com