View source for TribeNet

{{Third-party|date=January 2022}}
{{Short description|Play-by-mail fantasy game}}
{{Infobox game
| name = ''TribeNet''
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| publisher = TribeNet
| years = 1985 to present
| genre = [[play-by-mail]]
| language = English
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| playing_time = no limit
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| materials = Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, [[pencil]]
| media_type = email
| website =  https://tribenet.com.au/
| footnotes =
}}
{{Italic title}}'''''TribeNet''''' is an [[Play-by-mail game#Closed versus open ended|open-ended]], medieval fantasy, [[play-by-email]] (PBEM) game. It was first published in the mid-1980s in Australia as a [[Play-by-mail game#Computer versus human moderated|hand-moderated]] play-by-mail (PBM) game. After multiple [[gamemaster]] changes in the 1990s, Peter Rzechorzek took over as gamemaster in 1997, at which point the game transitioned from [[postal mail]] to email. Since its inception, the game expanded from the initial [[continent]] available for gameplay, adding additional continents such as Cyberia and Pelagoria.
The game is set in a context similar to Europe's [[Bronze Age|Bronze]] or [[Iron Age]] where players assume the role of Chief of a Clan of people. There are no preset character types and players can choose how to [[gameplay]] their Clans in a manner of their choosing with tasks such as mining or exploring.
==History and development==
In the mid-1980s, ''TribeNet'' launched as a PBM game in Australia, hand-moderated by Jeff Perkins, drawing players from the [[Diplomacy (game)|''Diplomacy'']] and wargaming clubs of some of its major cities.<ref name="Tribenet">[[#Tri21|TribeNet 2021]].</ref> Various people rotated through as gamemaster until 1997 when Peter Rzechorzek assumed the role.<ref name="Stanifer2013">[[#Sta13|Stanifer 2013]]. p. 20.</ref> Eventually, the game shifted to a play-by-email (PBEM) version.<ref name="Stanifer2013" /> In 2004, the game had 95 players.<ref name="Fla04">[[#Fla04|Flagship 2004]]. p. 4.</ref> In 2013 a new version of the game was launched.<ref name="Stanifer2013" />
The first continent in 1985 was Pi, designed by Perkins, who introduced another continent within the next few years.<ref name="Tribenet" /> All new players then started on the second continent.<ref name="Tribenet" /> In 2004, a third continent was launched.<ref name=Fla04/> In 2005, a five-island set was added under the name Pelagoria.<ref>[[#Fla05|Flagship 2005]]. p. 6.</ref> Additional continents added include Anneland, Groland, Cyberia, and Tresmania.<ref name="Tribenet" />
==Gameplay==
''TribeNet'' occurs in a context similar to western Europe's Bronze or Iron Age.<ref name="Stanifer2013a">[[#Sta13|Stanifer 2013]]. p. 21.</ref> Players run their Clans which can accomplish various tasks such as mining or exploring.<ref name="Stanifer2013a" /> Gameplay focuses on "strategic thinking and positioning, tactical planning, political alliance and military and economic development".<ref name="TribeNet 2021 FAQ" /> There are no character types and players may gameplay their Clan in a manner of their liking, whether focused toward combat, exploration, or other.<ref>[[#Mur19|Murphy 2019]]. p. 20.</ref> Development of Villages enables more refined skills such as [[distilling]], [[Apiarist|apiarism]], and others.<ref name="TribeNet 2021 FAQ">[[#Tri21a|TribeNet 2021]].</ref> The game also allows players to delve into areas including politics, economics and research.<ref name="TribeNet 2021 FAQ" />
Rzechorzek states that the game combines aspects of multiple games including ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'', [[Civilization (video game)|''Civilization'']], [[Diplomacy (game)|''Diplomacy'']], and [[Risk (game)|''Risk'']].<ref name="Rzechorzek 2019">[[#Rze19|Rzechorzek 2019]]. p. 38.</ref> Diplomacy is an important part of the game, and players have the option of interacting through social media.<ref>[[#Rze19|Rzechorzek 2019]]. pp. 38–39.</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of play-by-mail games]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Murphy |first=Ian |date=August 2019 |title=Endless Variety of Special Hexes: A Brief Article From a Non-Traditional Player |url=https://suspense-and-decision.com/Issue-18-Suspense&Decision-PBM-Magazine.pdf |magazine=Suspense and Decision |publisher=playbymail.net |issue=18 |pages=20–21 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |ref=Mur19}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=Feb–Mar 2004 |title=Newsdesk PBM: Tribal Games |url=http://www.flagshipmagazine.co.uk/downloads/issue106.pdf |magazine=Flagship |issue=106 |page=4 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |ref=Fla04}}
* {{Cite magazine |date=June–July 2005 |title=Newsdesk Turn Based: Tribal |url=http://www.flagshipmagazine.co.uk/downloads/issue114.pdf |magazine=Flagship |issue=114 |page=6 |access-date=December 23, 2021 |ref=Fla05}}
* {{Cite web |last=Rzechorzek |first=Peter |date=2021 |title=TribeNet: History |url=https://tribenet.com.au/what-is-tribenet/history/ |publisher=TribeNet |ref=Tri21 |accessdate=December 23, 2021}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Rzechorzek |first=Peter |date=August 2019 |title=TribeNet: Looking For New Players! |url=http://suspense-and-decision.com/Issue-18-Suspense&Decision-PBM-Magazine.pdf |magazine=Suspense and Decision |publisher=playbymail.net |issue=18 |pages=38–39 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |ref=Rze19}}
* {{Cite magazine |last=Stanifer |first=Chris |date=August 2016 |title=TribeNet PBeM: A Rose Amongst Weeds |url=http://playbymail.net/SuspenseAndDecision/Issue-13-Suspense%26Decision-PBM-Magazine.pdf |magazine=Suspense and Decision |publisher=playbymail.net |issue=13 |pages=20–21 |access-date=April 30, 2020 |ref=Sta13}}
* {{Cite web |date=2021 |title=TribeNet: FAQs |url=https://tribenet.com.au/what-is-tribenet/faqs/ |publisher=TribeNet |ref=Tri21a |accessdate=December 25, 2021}}
{{refend}}
{{Play-by-mail games}}
[[Category:American games]]
[[Category:American role-playing games]]
[[Category:Fantasy role-playing games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer games]]
[[Category:Play-by-mail games]]
[[Category:Role-playing games introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Role-playing games introduced in 1985]]
[[Category:Strategy games]]
[[Category:Tabletop games]]
[[Category:20th-century role-playing games]]
[[Category:21st-century role-playing games]]