The program is called "Run WA.R.S", but the original name of the game is "RUN". It is a board game played in Greece, and its Greek name is "FEVGA". It looks like backgammon and is a part of "tavli".
"Run WA.R.S" stands for "Run WAr Retreat Simulation". The acronym rises from the objective of the game, where both players have to move their pieces (checkers) from one quadrant to another and then remove them from the game (bear them off). Hence, the game looks like a scenario where both players act like generals that have to retreat their armies through their enemies' territory as fast as possible into an area where the helicopters carriers are waiting to pick them up. Naturally, like in a real war retreat the army would not simply turn their backs and run as fast as possible or cross the enemy territory without cover fire, rather than they would retreat gradually; with a few squadrons staying behind and trying to hold the enemy fire as long as possible. Of course, if one side has vehicles then it could drive fast to the rendezvous point without really paying much attention to the enemy fire. But, still remember that all the checkers (soldiers) must reach the rendezvous point for the pilot to take off. Something like "one for all and all for one".
These strategies are also applied in run, where your squadrons are your
checkers and your carrier vehicles could be some large rolls. Of course,
there are other strategies and additional complexities making the game
very interesting indeed.
Project report (pdf)
Crap user manual.
Better rewritten user manual.
Long version of the rules of Fevga.
Short version of the rules of Fevga. Intended
for people that already know how to play backgammon. Introduces the rules
of Fevga through the similarities and the differences from the rules of
backgammon.
Backgammon Galore. Lots of info about backgammon, including the rules and an extensive glossary.Gammon Links. The name is self-evident. This site has loads of links related to every aspect of backgammon.
Game AI. A site with lots of info about artificial intelligence in games and games currently developed.Machine Learning in Games. Most of my articles came from that site. What else can I say.