| Smuggler's Run | |
| Publisher: | Distant Vistas |
| Years: | 1990s |
| Genre: | Role-playing, science fiction, space opera |
| Language: | English |
| Players: | unlimited |
| Playing Time: | unlimited |
| Materials: | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
Smuggler's Run is a computer-moderated, open-ended play-by-mail game that was published by Distant Vistas in the 1990s. Players role-played an alien character with a customizable spaceship. The goal was to maximize wealth, dueling skill, and reputation as a Pirate.
Smuggler's Run was a play-by-mail space opera. The game was computer-moderated and open-ended.[1] [2] It was published by Distant Vistas as their first game.[3] According to the publisher, game design took four years.[4] The game was designed for single players.[3] By 1998, game enrollment had dropped to 15–20 players and the publisher was offering the game for free.[2]
Players role-played an alien character with a spaceship.[3] Alien races included "Ten'an, Zephyr, Brogian, Piil, Rhesian, Gecko, [and] Mechbot[s]", each with different skill and attribute levels.[3] Player skills were customizable during setup.[5]
The aim was to maximize wealth, dueling skill, and "become the meanest, most feared pirate in the Galaxy".[3] Non-player characters included the ship's crew, merchants, and others—both respectable and nefarious.[3] Other players could also be encountered.[3]
Starships had various features which could be improved. These included the cargo bay, ship's computer, hull, engine, laser, sensors, and shields.[6]
Don Ayers reviewed the game in the January–February 1995 issue of Flagship. He provided a positive review, calling it a "fun" game, noting ease of entry for newcomers, quality of game products, and accessible gamemaster.[6]