PlanetsCentral

I've always loved VGAP, but have not played since Circus Maximus went down many years ago. I don't have any of my player software anymore. What's the best player client to use, and how do I access it?

I cannot objectively tell you what's best because I wrote some, but I'd surely like to hear others' opinions on this topic.

If you're not a purist and are willing to take 3rd-party software, there's the PCC family and there's VPA which both have their fans. The best comparison I've read is that PCC is the Rolls Royce whereas VPA is the Ferrari - both have their use and neither is better.

Of the PCC's, one could argue that PCC2 (available for Windows and Linux) is best, but I also heard the opinion that PCC1 (available for DOS) still is better and, having unburied it recently, I can hardly disagree: it still does one or another bit better than PCC2, and if you have a DOS emulator on your phone you can use it there. PCC2 Web offers (almost) the same functionality as good ol' DOS planets.exe, so doing a turn still is tedious with it.

Thus:

• PCC2 if you like it comfortable and want a native program
• PCC1 (plus a DOS emulator) if you like it comfortable and want to use an emulator
• VPA (plus a DOS emulator) if you like it lean
• PCC2 Web if you're on an unexpected trip away from your computer

No matter what you choose, you need your VGAP key. It is contained in your original VGAP player software. If you don't have that anymore, I could help you extract it from old turn files. But if you don't have such a thing, you cannot get over Tech 6.

--Stefan