Almost 2 weeks ago I have started my Esoteric Puzzle II giveaway.
http://www.gog.com/forum/general/esoteric_challenge_ii_giveaway/page1

Some people solved it, but none of them have claimed the code. Since I don't want the game to be left unredeemed, I'm offering it here

The game in question is Imperialism
http://www.gog.com/game/imperialism

It's one of my top games of all time. I've played it countless times since it came out. Beaten Hard on random maps and beaten it with most of European nations up to Hard as well. I'll try Nigh-on-Impossible on random as well as the remaining Hard, N-O-I, Not-Recommended nations from the European map before moving to the sequel which I haven't tried yet.

I got this and the sequel on GOG. But then thought of all the happy moments I spent with my CD and felt getting a digital copy would be cheating on it, so I redeemed the sequel and left the first part as code. I wanted to use it in my previous puzzle giveaway, but the code contained too many 8s, so it meant I'd have to find words of at least 8 letters.

It is a great game. It has aged well. And I highly recommend it if you like this type of games.

Rules:
(Please be aware that the original esoteric challenge is still running. It means if someone solves it, he can claim the code, even after you win it here. The only way to guarantee you get the code is by solving the challenge. Please don't be surprised/offended if you win but someone else grabs it in the last minute.)

_No rep or join date requirements, but I reserve the right to refuse any entry. Period.
_No strings attached to the code. You may redeem it yourself or give to someone else, but I strongly recommend it's not suitable for trading, since as I said the code may be redeemed any time someone solves the puzzle.
_You may enter for others.

For a discussion topic (if you want to participate you have to take some part in the discussion. This is NOT optional. Few sentences are enough): Turn based strategies. Anything related to it. What do you think about the genre? What you like/dislike about them? Which ones would you recommend to me?

I'll select winners using random.org once there are enough entries or enough time has passed.

I'm to dumb for esoteric mumbo-jumbo and Imperialism seems to be nice game. So if I can - I'm in!

About turn based strategies. I remember when I was younger and Heroes of Might and Magic III was a big hit. Back in the day there was only one guy with computer in the "gang" (because his mother needed it for work). Don't get me wrong, we really liked to run around and play football. But there was nothing as fun as hot-seats mode. We didn't uderestand the rules, because we were too young. We were choosing our hero and town because it was lookin' cool. I was choosing Castle. Every-freakin'-time. Some time ago I brought myself Heroes of Might and Magic III here, on GOG. Guess what I choose? :P

Right now my fav TBS is probably the new XCOM (or maybe it's not TBS, I don't really have idea). Nice graphic and simple rules. Perfect to play when you want a break from cRPGs and Crusader Kings II.

What I like about the genre you ask? They're not stresfull for me like RTS games. There is never too much on the screen. Nothing like little guys running around and shooting. You can control everything easily. You don't need to learn keyboard commands. Only thing you need to do is thinking.

One of my favourite games ever, along with Civ4 and Eador. (not in)

Not in, I think. Not sure I'll have the time to learn it, along with everything else in my backlog.

Might I suggest Master of Magic? ;)

I like being able to take my time with tbs, and I really enjoy empire building.

Bump for the US crowd.

If no one else wants it, I'll give out the game tomorrow morning.

This time, I'm in. I still have the boxed original but the cd is now defective.

On turn based strategy games. I'm a great fan of these games. The first I got to play was Sons of liberty ( SSI, , CGA graphicsn 5 1/4 Floppy). And it's a genre I have kept playing ever since. Of course, it's a fairly diverse genre. There is some space in the spectrum between hard-line wargames ( think : Ageod's games. Playing Alea jacta est for the moment ) and 4X games (CIV and co )

Unfortunately, many of them have s steep learning curve. that's why I wouldn't recommend any of Ageod's games. Now, to recommend one is difficult. My all time favourites are Steel Panther (SSI) , Carriers at war (SSG) and Tanks! (SSI), on one side , and CIv II on the other.

GOG is lacking in this field . Slitherine Matrix has a pack of very good strategy games, together with an army of not so good one, but never at a sweet price .

I found the tutorials (back when I bought it in 97 with a hard-copy manual) rather useless to be honest. I learnt way more simply playing a game on Introductory setting.

That said, it is a good idea to quickly go through them. Just keep in mind that each one teaches you how to do a certain single thing without really telling you how it relates to the whole.

Imp 2 has a good tutorial and it takes like 5-10 minutes to go through. Part 2 is is only slightly different. But really these games are pretty easy to learn, it should not be a pain to just start and play.

Bumping this (not in) and I commend you on your taste. Imperialism are great games, some of the purest examples of the 4X genre you can find, and very internally coherent.

Well, sadly I failed to figure out the coordinates to the shortcut so I'll enter here. :)

I'm in.

I enjoy turn-based strategy games because of the degree of control they give you in comparison to RTSs. You feel like you're in control of every little aspect of the game and you're allowed to take well thought-out decisions at your own pace without the risk of making mistakes due to time pressure. The outcomes depend solely on your strategy and not on how many clicks per minute you can do. I enjoy both genres but turn-based is the kind that really provides the most challenge, satisfaction and less frustration.

I'd suggest HoMM2 which is still my favorite but I'm pretty sure I remember you posting something about it before.

Something different I'd like to suggest is Small World 2. It's a casual little multiplayer turn-based strategy game I play with my girlfriend often. The matches are short, sweet and simple and a lot of fun. Plus you can have it on mobile. :)

And I'm ending this.

There were 3 entries: Bykowsky, Phc7006 and Pardinuz.

random.org selects... Congrats Phc. Code sent.