| Publishers | White Lion Enterprises, De Boje Games |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1985 to unknown |
| Genres | play-by-mail, fantasy, wargame |
| Languages | English |
| Playing time | open-ended |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
First World is an open-ended, mixed-moderated fantasy play-by-mail wargame.
First World was an open-ended play-by-mail game.[1] It was mixed-moderated.[2] The game was initially published by John and Mike O'Brien of White Lion Enterprises.[3] It was released in August 1984 after about a year of playtesting.[3] Within several years, "a combination of factors slowed turn processing to a virtual standstill" and De Boje Games acquired the game in July 1988.[4]
The game was set on Earth in 100 million BCE.[1] Players could role-play two types of tribes: a lizard race called Nazgars, and apes or humans.[3] Gems were key to gameplay. According to reviewers John Kelly and Mike Scheid, they were used "to recruit followers, make magic, build robots, or for trade."[3] Players had a wide variety of options during gameplay with no apparent restrictions.[3]
First World tied for 10th place in Paper Mayhem's Best PBM Game of 1986 list alongside Ad Astra, Atlantrix, Beyond the Stellar Empire, and Empyrean Challenge.[5] Terry Cale reviewed the game in a 1986 issue of Flagship. He stated that "for a pleasant romp in a surprisingly viable and well-run small game, I heartily recommend First World."[6] He warned that the game was not necessarily historically and scientifically accurate (e.g., humans and dinosaurs existing together), but that the game had the qualities that made it enjoyable for players.[7] Reviewers Kelly and Scheid said the game was "probably not for everyone" but thought it would appeal to players who liked open-ended games with great freedom and rapid turnaround times.[8]
