Alamaze

Alamaze is a computer-moderated, fantasy, turn-based game. It was published in 1986 by Pegasus Productions as a play-by-mail game. Reality Simulations later took over game moderation. The game itself has been played with multiple versions. The initial design, released in 1986, was replaced by the "Second Cycle" in 1991, offering changes to the kingdoms and game's history. The 3rd Cycle—"The Choosing"—emerged in 2015, doubling the available kingdoms while providing modifications to them. The publisher made additional changes to the player–game interface by 2017. In February 2019, Alamaze.co published the 4th Cycle, the world of Maelstrom, after two years of development. The game is currently run by Alamaze.co as a closed-end, play-by-email (PBEM) game in a turn-based format.

In the latest game cycles, twelve players per game choose from eighteen possible kingdoms, employ various available characters, and strive for victory. Winning players achieve dominance of the map, meet the victory conditions of their respective kingdom, or have the greatest number of status points.

Alamaze received multiple reviews in the 1980s and 1990s. These were mainly positive, with some noting challenges with the publication company in the period, which were noted largely resolved. Alamaze has also received a number of awards, to include the Origins Award for "Best Play-by-Mail Game of 1987", and high marks in the Best PBM Game category in Paper Mayhem magazine in 1987 and 1989.