| Designers | George V. Schubel |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Schubel & Son |
| Years active | 1982 to Unknown |
| Genres | Space fantasy, Grand diplomacy |
| Languages | English |
| Systems | Computer moderated |
| Playing time | Open-ended |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail |
Star Venture is a play-by-mail game begun by Schubel & Son in 1982. The game was open-ended and computer moderated.
"Many players have come into the game from Schubel & Son's Tribes of Crane, and a more competitive and cunning collection of players would be hard to find."
—W.G. Armintrout, 1983.[1]
Star Venture was a play-by-mail computer-moderated game set in a 125-star galaxy, in which each player has one or more starships at their disposal to use in whatever way they need.[2] The game is open-ended and players have no victory conditions to achieve to win the game.[3]
Within certain limits, players begin at their starport (called Imperia) by purchasing from a menu of available starships.[3] Ships are differentiated by space available to carry items (cargo, weapons, personnel, etc.), and their damage rating.[3] Players use ground parties and colonies to explore worlds in the game; according to reviewer W.G. Armintrout, "Colonies are what people fight over", for economic reasons.[3] Combat is part of the game to include combat between ships and between ships and colonies.[3] According to Armintrout, competition in the game was fierce because many players came from Schubel & Son's game The Tribes of Crane.[3] He also noted the importance of alliances in the game.[2]
In the April 1983 edition of Dragon (Issue 72), Michael Gray stated "This game is thematically quite like Star Master, though it seems to be more closely structured."[4]
W.G. Armintrout reviewed Star Venture in The Space Gamer No. 63.[5] Armintrout commented that "Star Venture is a fascinating game. I recommend it, with a few warnings: (1) This is not a game for novices, and (2) it requires some mathematical ability and a blazing competitive will. I also commend Schubel & Son for their lightning speed in publishing errata and in implementing player suggestions (already adding convoy and special message rules)."[5]