Ok well BD is done in flash and isn't text driven like NS, but it is browser based. There's a world map on which all of the action takes place. Colonies and different kinds of out posts are built on the map, and you move your units around on it. There's two super weapons, nukes and the ion cannon, which are expensive but effective.
There's no such thing as "losing." You just get conquered, which means that any crystals you have will be lost and given to your conqueror, you'll have to pay the conqueror taxes, and you can't conquer anyone yourself. To liberate yourself, you can either build up an army and take down the one who conquered you or launch a successful rebellion. The first is typically the hardest to pull off, but a rebellion won't give you your crystals.
As for crystals, everyone starts out with one. They add to your score, and that's it.
Btw, the game progresses using
ticks.
(zoomed out some so it doesn't show the same detail)
