| Family Wars | |
| Publisher: | Andon Games |
| Genre: | Crime, play-by-mail |
| Language: | English |
| Players: | 18 |
| Playing Time: | Fixed |
| Materials: | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media Type: | Play-by-mail |
Family Wars is a closed-end, play-by-mail (PBM) game. It was published by Andon Games.
Family Wars was a closed-end, computer moderated play-by-mail game.[1] It was an organized crime game with players acting as the family leader.[2] 18 players led crime families in a 14 × 20-block city comprising multiple precincts.[2] The setting was the 1930s.[3] Players used "effort points" to conduct various actions.[4] Diplomacy was also a key part of gameplay.[4] According to reviewer David Webber, "winning the game depend[ed] upon your skill at recruiting family members, influencing public officials, increasing your income, and eliminating your enemy facilities".[3]
According to reviewer Patrick O. Dick, the three most important elements of gameplay were diplomacy, political influence, and warfare.
In a 1988 issue of White Wolf, reviewer Stewart Wieck said that Family Wars was a "very enjoyable game", and recommended it to readers.[4] Paper Mayhem editor in chief David Webber also reviewed the game in a 1988 issue, stating "I liked Family Wars."[5] Webber noted that diplomacy was the best part of the game and emphasized its importance.[5] Patrick O. Dick echoed this, stating that it was first "a game of diplomacy".[6]