Free & Pay Version
Comparison Chart |
This
chart provides a quick reference listing the key differences between the
free version of SpiritWars available and the "pay"
(or member) version of the game.
More
detailed information is provided elsewhere in the web site, but this is
intended as a one-stop information site that will answer the most common
questions.
|
Feature: |
Free
Play
Version |
Member
Version |
Cost: |
Free |
$25,
$40 or $65 for three, six or twelve month membership |
#
of Spirits: |
The
shared spirit population in the free version changes periodically,
but it currently includes 200 playing pieces (about 90 unique spirits).
This
provides a sampling of the diversity and range of spirits found in the
full version of the game.
|
There
are currently 468 spirits (or playing pieces) in the full member
version.
You can use the link (found in the chat interface) to the
Spirit Gallery to browse the full collection of spirits and review their
attributes and special abilities. |
Size
of Population: |
In
the free version, all players share a common spirit population (or
Kingdom) of 200 total spirits. |
In
the member version, each player begins with a unique Kingdom of 200
spirits. |
Player
Ratings: |
There
are no player ratings in the free version. |
The
member version has a very sophisticated (yet simple to understand)
rating system and a multi-level ladder that allows players to work their
way up four levels of standings. Full explanation of the ratings can be
found within the Members area of the SpiritWars web site. |
#
of Maps: |
In
the free version, the game is playing on a board (or map) selected from
a library of about 300 hand-crafted maps. (There are no plans to expand
the map library in the free version.) |
The
SpiritWars server for the member version currently contains over 700
maps, with new maps being added every few weeks.
The
"unique" (or unusual) maps also have a higher percentage of
being selected in the member version and there are significantly more of
this sometimes surprising and challenging maps. |
Playing
Order: |
In
the free version, the advantage of moving second is randomly
determined at the start of each game. |
In
the member version, the higher rated player always moves first.
This handicapping feature provides a significant playing advantage for
the lower-rating player and encourages them to try for major upsets of
higher rated players.
(In games in which the rating difference
between the two players is less than 10 points, the playing order is
randomly determined.) |
Winning/Losing
Spirits: |
Not
a factor in the free version. |
In
the member version of SpiritWars, at the end of each battle, the losing
play will see at least one (possibly two) spirits from his dungeon die
as battle fatalities. The winning player enjoys a 2-3 spirit
"migration" of new spirits into his/her Kingdom. |
Player
Records: |
Player
statistics are not maintained in the free version. |
Detailed
player statistics are recorded by the server in the member version,
including won-loss records, player ratings, spirit ownership.
(Also most players consider the won-loss record for the last ten games
played to be a "key" factor when scouting a potential
opponent. |
Game
History: |
This
feature isn't activated in the free version. |
The
Game History feature saves a detailed game history of every opponent you
play.
Ratings, length of game, date of game, user defined notes,
and spirits won and lost are automatically tracked.
Very important
feature when preparing to face a particular opponent - especially in a
tournament. |
Multiple
Dungeons: |
In
the free version, each machine maintains a single dungeon definition. |
In
the member version, each player account (and there can be multiple
players sharing a single machine) has two dungeon files. |
Disconnection
Tracking: |
Not
applicable to the free version. |
In
the member version, a player can view the disconnect history of a
potential opponent. "Plugging" (intentionally disconnecting a
game to avoid a loss) is not an honorable way to play and players have
been banished from the member version for repeated offenses.
|