complex coded format. However, according to reviewer Paul S. Person, game mechanics were simple—even simplistic for some—with a universe limited in size and "easily written" orders. The game ends when a player reaches an unrevealed point total determined at the beginning of the game. Although this total is normally between 1,000 and 10,000 points, "[s]trategy changes radically in longer games". Graham Bucknell described a version of Starweb called "25,000 Starweb" in the Winter 1983 issue of Flagship where the game ended when a player achieved 25,000 points. In a March 1983 issue of The Space Gamer, A.D. Young stated that the average game ended on turn 22 with an average of 7,500 points. In 1980, turns took three to four weeks, allowing fifteen to twenty turns annually, causing some games to take longer than a year, as full games take about eighteen turns, according to reviewer Timothy Brown. In late 2008, the publisher stated that approximately 10,000 points was the game's goal. Variations Rick Loomis stated in 2014 that a "Multi" game of Starweb allows each of its five players to roleplay three different identities as one position. According to the game publisher, this is more costly, more challenging, and for advanced players. Another variation is anonymous play, which prevents player interaction. "Bitter End Starweb" is played without points, ending when "one player owns more than half of the worlds on the map". Games of this version have lasted longer than four years. A longer variant, played with points, is "Extra-long Starweb", where 50,000 versus 25,000 points won. Other variations include combinations of variables, such as "Slow Multi Anonymous Starweb". In 1980, the company offered a computer version, where custom programs could play each other (human assistance not allowed). In the late 1970s, Flying Buffalo had additional Starweb variations. These included "Blitz Starweb" with 9-day versus 14-day order turnarounds, "Slow Starweb" with 3-week turnarounds (automatic for foreign players), "Anonymous Starweb" which prohibited diplomacy, "Bribery Starweb" which allowed players to purchase extra game items, and "California Starweb" which comprised players from the state of California. Flying Buffalo offered similar versions for New York, Chicago, and Florida. "War Against Robots" pitted empire builders and Berserkers against each other in equal numbers. Reviewer Glenn T. Wilson described a pending variant called "15-Character Solitaire" in 1985, as one-player race to 10,000 points for each of 15 characters. In 1986, Flying Buffalo attempted an All-Female