Playing VGA Planets
Getting around in the Echo Cluster

VGA Planets simulates combat in space between galactic scale empires. The game emphasises colonisation of space and the development of the planets that you will find, colonise and/or conquer. How well you develop your planets will determine what kind of and how many starships (freighters and capital ships) you will be able to produce and how well you will be able to defend your space and attack your neighbours. This game is designed to be a strategic and tactical game of warfare, but you will also need to be able to build an economy and service your empire. With a well-developed economic base you will have a greater potential for winning the game.

As the leader of your empire you are responsible for all of the decisions that affect your growth and production. You will decide how to best develop your planets with the resources available to you. You will decide what type of starship(s) to build at your starbase(s). You are in control, pulling all the strings that make your empire tick. But let's not forget about the ten other players who also have an empire to pull strings with. In the end it all comes down to who pulls his strings the best - who will end up conquering the Echo Cluster?

At the start of the game your sole assets are a homeworld, a low tech starbase and two low tech starships. These are the only things left of your original fleet since you had to disband most of the ships you reached the Echo Cluster with. You will need to manage your planet’s population, money, minerals and other resources wisely, for these are your only sources of production early in the game. However, you will need more resources if you are to become the ruler of the Echo Cluster. Which resources are there and how do I get them, you ask? Read on.....