Oily Beard is based on a game I played for 7 years. It took me 4 years to understand the depth and complexity it offers.
Epic Battles: Although this game is browser based, it ignited my imagination where i was thinking of knights rushing through a forest on their way to battle, similar to reading a book and having vivid pictures in my mind of what was happening. Players were very passionate as there is a real chance of losing everything - I saw players threatening each other and warning others off.
Risk and Reward: I took a great risk at the start of each game, instead of building an army, I would pour everything I had into generating a huge economy. I was completely vulnerable to attack during this time, but my rank would rise to the top 1, 2 or 3 amongst 2000 players and most people were afraid to mess with me.
Teamwork and Politics: We had one member in our brotherhood who appeared to be the most crazy person you could ever meet, so we made him our foreign affairs person.
Espionage and Intrigue: nudge nudge wink wink.
Resource Management and Strategy: Because I spent the best portion of the early game snowballing my resource production, I was able to then switch over to military might, and not only that, but send friends so much aid that they could become almost as mighty as me, and together we were almost unstoppable.
Community Engagement: We had a sense of camaraderie and friendship in our brotherhood, the highs as well as the lows. One time I was jumped early on by an enemy who pushed through seige engines before I switched over to military production, he was gradually tearing down my empire to the ground. I asked my brotherhood mate to send me gold coins for knight production and he was heartbroken as every moment counts and it put him way behind. But he sent the aid, i produced a tonne of knights, and the next day when Lord Foul attacked me, his entire force was destroyed. I still feel bad about asking my friend to help as I couldn't have repaid the debt - as time passed the amount he sent devalued, and there was no real way I could repay him.
Testimonials and Reviews: If you played Torpia, please contact me if you would like to put a review here.
