Cosmic Encounter Online

Cosmic Encounter!

Cosmic Encounter! For those of us who encountered the game in our youth, the words have something of the ring of "Oklahoma!" The ebullient American spirit! The vast vistas of, um, outer space. The late nights in dorm rooms or at science fiction conventions studying cards and back-stabbing allies... A brilliant game then, and in its Internet version, a brilliant game still.

Originally published in the late 70s, Cosmic was a best-seller in the hobby games industry, and has been republished many times over the years. It's a relatively simple game of strategy in which each player attempts to conquer planets from the others, the first player to establish "bases" on five worlds outside his own system winning. The kicker is that each player has an "alien power," a special rule that applies only to him. This was, in fact, a major innovation in its day; Richard Garfield, designer of Magic: The Gathering terms it the first "exceptions game," a game in which simple basic rules are complicated by special rules that players may introduce. The idea was, indeed, key to Garfield's design for Magic.

Over the last few years, Future Pastimes (the original designers of the game) have been perfecting an Internet version, and now have a very smooth-playing game, with an excellent Flash tutorial for new players, that's playable in about 20 minutes and different every time. With a welcoming and friendly community of players.

Special Offer for Manifesto Gamers! 15 Aliens Free--$25 Value!

Cosmic is free to play--but free players only get acccess to six of the alien powers. For $25, you get access to 15 aliens (currently free if you go to the Cosmic site from ours by clicking on the "download demo" link to left!), and for an additional $10, five more. Alternatively, you can become a subscriber (daily, monthly, yearly, and weekly deals), and get access to all 33 aliens (with more under development), plus ranking and league play. An unusual business model, but it gives you a slew of options for different budgets (a 12-hour "subscription" is a mere 99 cents).

If you enjoy "quick-play" multiplayer online games, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

The Developer Says:

Cosmic Encounter Online is a one to four player game where humans actually have their brains augmented with alien intelligence. As an alien with a unique cosmic power, you use a blend of strategy, cunning, and diplomacy to defeat or collude with opposing aliens and build colonies across the galaxy. An active, helpful player community will welcome you right away and bring you up to speed on how to play. Or you can play with Bots until you feel ready to challenge real players.

Comprehensive interactive rules are actually fun to use while teaching you basic gameplay. So come get your Quick Fix right now and play Cosmic Encounter Online. Easy to learn, but challenging to master, smart gamers love Cosmic Encounter Online for its limitless variety. The dynamic interaction of game elements and player strategy makes for a robust social gaming experience with addictive appeal.

Reviews (including for the board game also):

"Cosmic Encounter is one of the most beloved...games of all time" - Computer Gaming World

"The best thing about Cosmic Encounter is precisely [its] limitless variety." - Richard Garfield, designer of Magic: The Gathering

"Magic’s most influential ancestor is ... Cosmic Encounter." - Richard Garfield, designer of Magic: The Gathering

"One of the most original games of modern times." - Burt Hochberg, Senior Editor, Games Magazine 1996

"Everyone we know who has tried it likes it." - Games Magazine

"Cosmic Encounter is the real thing." - Playboy Winners Guide to Boardgames

"a teeth-gritting, mind-croggling, marvelously demanding exercise in what if?" - Harlan Ellison, award winning author & tv writer

"Of all the products reviewed in the past year...I believe Cosmic Encounter to be the best." - Galileo Magazine

"I highly recommend Cosmic Encounter Online." - RPGnet

"It all makes the game a decent value for both casual and frequent players."- Inside Mac Games

"Anyone looking for a fun, fast, and strategic game with a lot of social interaction won't be disappointed by CEO." -
WomenGamers.com

"Cosmic Encounter Online is an easy, fast and entertaining way to experience one of the classic games of all time." - SciFi.com

"It took me by surprise, but Cosmic Encounter Online is up and running, and may just be the best use of Flash I've ever seen." - Slashdot

"With the free play option, there is no excuse not to visit Cosmic Encounter Online." - MacGamer

"If you are interested in game design and want to know what kind of games developers play to learn about tight, interesting and absorbing game play, check out Cosmic Encounter. Don’t be surprised if you check it out for the learning and stick around for the game play, though; this one has a way of getting under your skin." - Jessica Mulligan

Awards (including for the board game also):

Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame: 1997 Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design

Editors Choice: 2000 Netscape Editors

Games 200 : 1996 Games Magazine

Best Science Fiction Board Game: 1992 Origins Awards

Best Science Fiction Board Game: 1982 Games Day - London, England

Best Science Fiction Board Game: 1980, 1981 Space Gamer Magazine

2nd Best Family Game (after Monopoly): 1980, 1981 Games Day - London

Games 100 Games Magazines "Best Games": '80, '81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86, '93

Honorable Mention "Top Ten Games": 1980 Omni Magazine