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Car Wars is a vehicle combat simulation game developed by Steve Jackson Games, first published in 1980.
Game play
In Car Wars, players assume control of one or more automobiles, which may include any powered vehicle, such as motorcycles or semis. Optional rules include piloting helicopters, microplanes, balloons, boats, subs and tanks. The vehicles are typically outfitted with weapons (large guns), souped-up components (heavy-duty wheels, nitro injectors) and defensive elements (armor). Within any number of settings, the players then direct their vehicles in combat.
Although the published games use paper counters at 1-inch scale to represent vehicles in a simulated battle upon printed battlemaps, by modifying the scale of the game, players can use miniature toy vehicles such as Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Micro Machines, or even 1/25th scale models in the game.
Car Wars had many scenarios available and the system allowed for players to make their own. Common scenarios included making it successfully through a harrowing gauntlet, other times the victor would compete in an arena to win a virtual cash prize with which to upgrade their cars. Many game sessions consist of players taking their cars through many successive arena-style scenarios, upgrading their cars between each round. At the height of the game's popularity, many gaming conventions and gaming clubs sponsored Car Wars tournaments where finalist players could win real prizes such as a trophy.
Car Wars uses a number of standard six-sided dice to determine the outcomes of weapon fire, damage and vehicle control during the game. The game is played in turns, where each turn represents one second of real time. Each turn is divided into ten phases (later versions reduced to five). All action in Car Wars is simultaneous. Players do not roll for initiative which is common in other combat games, instead, each phase, a vehicle moves a number of inches determined by the vehicle's speed and players may fire weapons on any phase as long as they have line-of-sight with a target of their choosing. As part of movement players may attempt turns and other maneuvers of increasing difficulty. The more maneuvers one attempts in a turn and the more difficult they are, the more likely it is that a player's car will skid or crash. After all phases of movement and combat are resolved, a new turn begins. Typically, a game is over after a few turns, which represents a battle being over in a few seconds of real time, but because every action in the game must be resolved a typical game takes a few hours to play.
Publication History
Car Wars was first published in a small ziplock-bag format in the early 1980s, and cited Alan Dean Foster's short story, "Why Johnny Can't Speed," as a primary inspiration. The game won the Charles S. Roberts Award (Origins Award) for Best Science Fiction Boardgame of 1981.
As the game became more popular, there were a series of increasingly more expensive and elaborate editions. Cars Wars also served as the inspiration for the 1985 computer game Autoduel, published by Origin Systems.
The game's popularity waned during the 1990s, and in response to slipping sales during the 1990s, Steve Jackson Games ceased support for Car Wars. The last official Cars Wars material for the original game appeared in Pyramid magazine (an article introducing High Torque Motors, by Robert Deis).
Autoduel America, the setting for Car Wars, was developed for role-playing games (RPGs) using Steve Jackson Games' GURPS system (called GURPS Autoduel). That GURPS worldbook has seen two editions. A series of expansions for both the GURPS version and boardgame, the AADA Road Atlas and Survival Guides, were published in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 2001, Steve Jackson Games released an entirely new version of Car Wars. Redesigned for a new audience, it was called version 5.0. The new game's unusual marketing, scattering the game across several redundant products, met with mixed responses and the game's popularity has continued to wane. The 2001 products are still in print.
Car Wars (both boardgame and RPG version) was translated into French by Croc.
Background story
Car Wars is set in the future, in an alternate timeline (originally the mid 2030s when the game was first published). In this alternate future natural resources have become depleted and the United States government has nationalized oil production. This eventually leads to a second American civil war which ends in the creation of the three "Free Oil States", Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Following famine in various parts of the world, World War III erupts between the USSR and the US, but only minimal damage results from the war. After this war, there is worldwide economic crisis. After many years of global unrest, "death sports" become a popular form of entertainment. In particular, the sport of "autodueling" was born as an outgrowth of demolition derbys. The American Autoduel Association (AADA) was formed, to sponsor sporting events and up-and-coming autoduelists.
In this futuristic setting technology has allowed for new vehicle designs, replacements for internal combustion engines, miniaturized weapons, as well as cloning (together with techniques for storing memories), so that death is only a minor setback for autoduelists.
Car Wars is a game designed for simulating these autoduels between competing players.
Clubs and organizations
The American Autoduel Association (AADA) was a worldwide group of players. It was started by Steve Jackson Games who supported the club with a quarterly magazine called Autoduel Quarterly. This contained campaign ideas, vehicles, "mock" advertisements, and new weapons and accessories, as well as questions and answers. Subscribers would receive a bonus in the form of an extra cutout or cartoon on the protective mailing cover. Local clubs could also pay a yearly membership fee to be considered "official."
The AADA served as a structured clearinghouse for common rules and guidelines to be followed during 'official' events. World Championships were held each year at the Origins Game Fair.
The AADA is no longer an official club as recognized by Steve Jackson Games. There are still several local clubs that claim to be AADA affiliated, and there are even web sites where interested parties can enjoy PBEM games. One site has a Car Wars podcast.
The official Car Wars site notes plans to relaunch the AADA and start a new periodical called Autoduel Times. No date is given for this project.
See also
References
- "Charles S. Roberts Award Winners (1981)". Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
External links
- The official Car Wars site
- Car Wars, Car Wars 5th Edition and Car Wars game expansions and supplements at BoardGameGeek
- Listing of all Products (under construction)