Austerlitz is a closed-ended, computer moderated, play-by-email (PBM) wargame. It is published by Supersonic Games.
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History and development
Austerlitz is a closed-ended, computer moderated play-by-email game originally published by TBA Games. By 2002, TBA had changed their name to Supersonic Games. It was also available in Germany, licensed to Quirxel Games, and Spain, at Sphinx. By 2003, it was also offered in Austria by SSV. As of 2023 the gamemaster is Sam McMillan.
Gameplay
The game's setting was the Napoleonic-era. 16 players chose from the same number of countries centered on Europe for game start in January 1808. Politics, economics, and naval and land warfare were key elements of gameplay.
The game included major battles that players managed in detail while smaller battles were described in turn results. The purpose was to be one of the final three positions, whether singly or part of an alliance.
Reception
Games Without Frontiers conducted a PBM game survey in their March 1997 issue, receiving 425 responses. Austerlitz ranked No. 2, just after En Garde, out of a total of 128 games. The game also won best Historical Wargame in Leeds, England.