Susan

Susan is a quick, subtle two-player abstract board game by Stephen Linhart, first released for the Macintosh in 1991 and updated through version 2.5 in 1994. The Mac edition pairs the original board game with a computer opponent that uses a simulated neural network to actually learn from the games it plays.

Gameplay

Susan is designed for two players and plays in the spirit of Go: simple rules, deep tactics, and short matches. The 2.5 release ships with a manual, basic and intermediate strategy tips, and color art sets in addition to the core game.

Learning AI

The headline feature is an artificial opponent that adapts to its human. Because the AI improves by playing, it tends to track close to the user's own skill level rather than overwhelming beginners or boring veterans.

Compatibility

The 2.5 Pack runs in color or black-and-white on System 6.0.2 or newer, covering most 68k and early PowerPC Macs of the era. It is distributed as freeware.

Origin of the Name

According to Linhart, the name was suggested on the spot by a waitress at a cafe while he and a friend were playing the new game; her answer of "Susan" stuck, and the question "why call a board game SUSAN?" has followed the project ever since.

Distribution

The full SUSAN 2.5 Pack, a separate manual-and-tips archive, and add-on color art were posted to Info-Mac in April 1994 by Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and remain mirrored on Macintosh Garden.