User Guide

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Maelstrom! We at PAS Systems have spent the last two years devel-
oping what we believe to be the new standard in state-of-the-art simulation tech-
nology.
We have tried to achieve maximum realism not only in terms of the
mechanics of running a government and fighting a foe, but also in terms of the
interaction between people and factors in the game. You will not find linear
story progressions in Maelstrom, nor will you find a map that will take you
through the game reliably every time you play. As in real life, Maelstrom fea-
tures a galaxy that is never constant: its characters have moods, its technology is
fallible, its leaders are whimsical, and its masses are unpredictable.
The real magic of Maelstrom is in the way the stories evolve and intertwine with
each other, and in the way characters, planets and ships interact with them-
selves. The player is urged to be a hands-on leader. Although the game pro-
gresses without player input, it will be short and will end in the Overlord’s
untimely demise unless the player intervenes.
It is difficult to fully comprehend the scope of Maelstrom ‘s interactive
gameplay without experiencing it firsthand. Maelstrom provides you with all the
tools for interacting with an entire galaxy, with hundreds of characters, dozens
of plots, plans, dirty laundry, vendettas, and all the other things that make real
life what it is. So pull up a chair, invite a friend, and enjoy the game!
Sincerely,
Mark Vange
Director,
PAS Systems