Before Astrophel there came. Trynth. A 1st generation desktop Space Strategy Game. Though Astrophel is programmed in a different language, for a different version of RiscOS, and with different ideas in mind, Trynth was an important stepping stone.

This game is inspried by the experiences of writing an earlier Space Strategy Game for the Archimedes, Trynth. This is a desktop game, based around the notion of having a simple underlying system, with the complexity of the game coming from a large number of opposing sides. Up to fifteen sides can be handled, with as many human players as you like, with the rest of the sides filled up by a range of different computer players.

Trynth promoted this structural simplicity, with a good user interface. The playing area consists of a number of 'planets'. Each with a certain level of production. Each turn this prodution increases, and a related number of ships are automatically constructed. There is a single type of ship. Players initially start with one planet. All excess planets all termed neutral, with a random number of defensive ships. To take over a planet, a player sends a number of their ships to the desired planet, and battle commences.

The game contains a number of problems though. Firstly the interface is a little unintuitive at early stages. Also a number of windows could be merged together to reduce the screen real estate needed.

Stronger computer players are needed.

Alliances between sides would be a very important feature, unfortunately that was not implemented.

As a result the game gets boring rather too soon, unless a number of humans are playing. There is scope for improvement.

Trynth is Shareware, though a fully operating version can be obtained from me by sending a 800k disc, and return postage. Registering costs 5 pounds. Hurry you could be the first :-) I am also open to other offers?

Includes German translation courtesy of Olaf Rumnow. Thanks

http://www.night.dircon.co.uk/

david_jones@night.dircon.co.uk