A text-based computer games called "Adventure" got me into computers more than 30 years ago while I was a student at the University of California.

"You are standing in a forest beside a small stream. Ahead you see a cabin with a light shining in the window"

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to which you would then reply "North" to go north, and you would get more descriptions and meet the characters in the game, and eventually you would solve the puzzle.

Computer games have come a long way since then and one fairly recent development is the "Massive Multi-player On Line Game" wherein players log in to an Internet web site and all play the game together.

One of these games is called "Evony" and it is like a board game set in the middle ages around the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Rount Table. It's fun, and best of all, it's FREE.

If you'd like to sign up, please use this URL:

http://deck-hazen.evony.com

which will give me a few game "coins" that I can use in game.

When the game opens, you start with a small village and a few resources and the goal is to build up your village to a point where you are able to defend yourself against Barbarians and other players in the Evony world.

The first, and perhaps most important tip I can give you is to find a good Alliance (you will see them "advertised" around the place and joining is easy). I've joined the NZ alliance and made a few new friends in the process. There is Johanna, the "host" of the group - a 20-something young lady struggling with the burdens of leadership - there is "BabaYaga" another old-timer like myself - a veteran of the gaming wars and generous with his advise - and "Ironfoot" who lives Ireland and is in the midst of packing up to come back home - and a host of other people from around the world.

We chat with each other -- throw taunts at our enemies - fight the good battles, win some, lose some, and help each other along the way.

I'm frankly surprised that I'm enjoying myself so much -- takes a bit of the edge off retirement.

-- Deck

http://s825.photobucket.com/albums/zz177/deck_hazen/?action=view¤t=evonyTop.jpg

Hey Deck, that looks like it could be a lot of fun!

Cheers CB

Post deleted at 28 Jul 2009 12:54pm by Deck