Dan Ealy designed the game to run on the Apple II.[1] Memory limitations restricted game design.[1] Ealy aimed for game complexity between Starweb and Empyrean Challenge.[1] The game had medium complexity.[2] Mark Brown programmed the game for ten months prior to playtest beginning in September 1982, taking more than six times longer than initially estimated.[1] Playtesting began in August 1983 with 15 players from Indiana, and Ealy offered the game for play in May 1984.[1]
The game was initially published by 4Sight.[3] By 1988 it was published by Fantastic Simulations.[4]
Gameplay
The Weapon was a science fiction PBM game of space conquest.[4] It was closed-ended and computer moderated.[2] The game allowed 15 players.[5] Players customized their homeworlds using variables such as economics and military.[6] Players could create fleets of ships and other devices such as "warp gates" for faster travel across the game's 20×20 hex map.[6] Players scored points by gaining and holding worlds and destroying the ships of opponents.[7]
Reception
Bob McLain, editor of Gaming Universal stated in 1984 that this was "one of the few games I can recommend without
hesitation ... as a gamer you'll be treated to a top notch space adventure".[2] He rated it at 4.5 stars out of 5, or "exceptional".[2] Tim Sullivan of The D2 Report stated that the game was "Recommended for those seeking a bloodier victory-potential science fiction wargame".[4] Mark Walton reviewed the game in the Summer–Fall 1984 issue of Gaming Universal, stating, "For a game of modest complexity, it is exceedingly thought-provoking".[5] Flagship editor Nicky Palmer provided a positive review for The Weapon, stating "if you're the wargamer/planner type, you should try The Weapon".[8]