Venom (game)
Venom is a closed-end, computer-moderated, play-by-mail (PBM) wargame. It was published by Game Systems, Inc. in 1989. Twenty players role-played demigods battling for supremacyby developing their position and winning a final battle. Demigod characters were highly customizable in the manner of spaceships for space-based PBM games. The game received generally poor reviews before the publisher revised the game in 1990 which improved the game according to one reviewer. History and development Venom was a closed-ended, computer moderated PBM game. Originally published by Comstar, Game Systems Inc. acquired and republished it in 1988. In the May 1990 issue of Flagship, the publisher stated that it was making eleven game improvements based on feedback. By 1992, the game revisions were implemented. Gameplay Venom was a fantasy wargame fought among 20 players. It had an "unusual and interesting premise" where players act as demigods struggling for domination. Games comprised three phases, the first included developing one's position through "spells, miracles and combat between armies of angels, spirits, ghosts and shadows". The second phase involves players preparing for the final battle in phase three which determines the game's winner. Losing all life points could cause defeat before the final battle. Gameplay occurred on a