In order to either play or practice you first have to select a nation.
@Practice Mode
In the practice mode your own computer processes your moves and simulates the other players. You may learn a lot by closely observing the offensives of computer players.
By consulting the report frequently, you stay informed on current battles and invasions.
Once you succeed in surviving a game and holding a reasonable position on the score list you are trained well enough to face other players.
@Playing
After some practice you should be able to obtain the highest score in the practice mode.
Of course human players are not as predictable as computer players. Not only can human players guess your intentions, they can conspire against you.
Each time you log in to the main computer you upload your latest moves and messages and download the current situation and messages addressed to you.
The main computer is accessable 24 hours a day.
Refer to [Help]-[About] for the current game information.
@Joining a Game
When you are in the practice mode, you can at any time join a game by selecting the New-button.
As long as you are participating in a game, you will be asked for your password, each time you start the program.
Your password and Registration Number (refer to About) are used to prevent anyone else from playing on your account.
So, when you give your copy of WARGAMES to someone else (which is allright with us), do not give away your password as well !
The recipient will be given the opportunity to choose his own password and be registered as a new user.
@Quitting a Game
If, for instance because all your divisions have been destroyed, you should want to leave the game you are in, send the following message to the sysop: "Clear game". You will then return to practice mode.
As long as the game is still in progress you may re-enter by choosing your initial country and player name.
@Players fee and winners reward
As you pay on a per game basis, your fee-account will be checked, each time you join a game. If your credit is insufficient you will be requested to settle your account. As soon as your payment is received you can join a game.
By checking the current game information (refer to About) you may decide not to enter the game as it is near its end.
Therefore your credit will only be reduced by one game when you log into the game for the second time.
Although the fun is in playing the game, the winners should be recognized.
That is why a FREE GAME (upping the fee-account) is given to each player ending in the first 5 positions on the score list.
