How Planets Works
Click here for a high level overview

Intro to VGA Planets

VGA Planets is a graphical multi-player play by turn war game that simulates combat in space between galactic empires. The game emphasizes mining, colonization and the construction of starships. The players compete against each other economically and militarily on a galactic scale.

The game system allows players to construct their own starships by selecting various components and placing them on a given hull type. There are usually 11 players in a game each playing a different race with special ships and abilities.  

To begin the game, you are given a planet, a starbase, and two ships. You have to manage your planet's population and resources wisely. You can create more ships and expand your domain through colonization or conquest of neighboring planets. Of course, the other players are attempting to do the same thing.

VGA Planets can be compared to a 11-player chess game in which all players move all their pieces simultaneously, one turn at a time.

For a quick high level over view have a look at: How Planets Works

If you don't find something here in the documentation please checkout the official VGA Planets Wiki created by the community: http://vgaplanets.org