"The Editor's Old Flame" Topic

Y'know, I've been re-reading all my old Space Gamer magazines over the last few days, and it strikes me that before starting TMP, Bill was an absolute fiend for Play By Mail games. He spent years writing articles and reviews on the subject for Steve Jackson, did a lot to promote the genre on a national and even international level, even tackled some sticky customer service issues with Schubel & Sons (who were once a Big Name in that end of the industry) in the magazine.

Now I know PBMs have been largely supplanted by PBEMs and MMOs and other styles of games that exploit internet connectivity, and that's not really surprising. Why waste money on postage and wait (and wait, and wait) on snailmail when you don't have to? But they aren't entirely dead, and some of them made the transition to PBEM or similar formats – Rimworlds and (as Phoenix) Beyond the Stellar Empire (other Big Names in days of yore) are even making a comebacks. Flagship Magazine is still being published in the UK 28 years down the road, and it's still heavily focused on PBMs and their descendents even if it has broadened its coverage some. PBM isn't what it once was, but it's not dead yet.

Despite that, and despite some of the really odd boards we do already have, there's never been any coverage that I know of for PBM/PBEM gaming here on TMP. I admit they don't belong here, but it makes me wonder – did Bill quit cold turkey? Is talking about PBM games around Bill the equivalent of offering a recovering alcoholic a drink? Or is he still quietly involved in that end of the hobby? If I set up to play Dungeonworld or Company Commander in a fit of nostalgia, will it be Bill's forces anonymously slaughtering me?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

NOOOOoooooooo!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I've iuputed more than my fair share of StarWeb/Nuclear Destruction games and Hyborian War/Duelmasters games (I've worked for two different play by mail companies, both of which still exist). Just the thought of PBM games makes me shiver a little. And feel a little nostalgic.

Sounds like we need a poll!

I categorically refuse to take responsibility for that suggestion.

No.

Perhaps this subject needs a special board

It makes sense: a board for PBEM players to ask around, see who wants to run a game, who wants to play, etc.

This would be the first new board that makes any sense to me.

Teach me to be sarcastic

With the computer age a game PBEM,could be in real time as much as having a opponent across the table.

It makes sense: a board for PBEM players to ask around, see who wants to run a game, who wants to play, etc.

This would be the first new board that makes any sense to me.

Except that it doesn't really have anything to do with miniatures. :)

To be honest, I just wanted to know if Bill still plays these games. I hadn't realized how many of them are still around (mostly as PBEM) until re-reading his old articles got me looking for them again.

Au Contraire, Battle Works!

Plenty of PBEM Games (available or in development) are Campaign Games that allow the participants to fight out the resulting actions in miniature, then report results back to the GM/Players.

To that extent, surely, this DOES have to do with miniatures!

TVAG

Hmmm, valid point. I suppose you could also do the chess thing – one table set up at either end of a 2-player game mail link, with the minis being moved on both tables as the turns come in. Easier to just play it online, but I suppose a couple of real diehards with compatible armies might try it.

So how many of you guys still do some form of PBM/PBEM/etc?

I run a miniatures PBEM game and I'd like to see a PBM/PBeM board.
link

I think its Don Lowry does WWII PBEM where he sends the players photos from eye level and a commentary each turn.

with a web cam action could be live

Well, hoo-bloody-ra!

John

Right, now I'm off to a thread about pushing for more boards, am I about to regret this?…….

John, discussion of your regrets is a matter so weighty, it probably needs its own board

Oh, so true!

John

But we must be deomcratic – poll first, board later