Re: pbm game fees

From: mikew@cs.unr.edu (Mike Wishart)

Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 00:00:00 +0000

In article <4221od$1ec@protocol.protocol.com>,
Chris Kessel <chrisk@yogi.NoSubdomain.NoDomain> wrote:
>In article <809722754snz@spelbind.demon.co.uk>, Steve Pritchard <Steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk> writes:
>|> > : out, most PBM's barely eek out a living.  I have no qualms with the prices
>|> > : charged. They are perfectly reasonable as far as what the PBM owner has
>
>I still stand by my statement that PBM will slowly die out and be replaced
>by PBeM companies.  Maybe the same game, but run via email.  PBM may not
>
>I'd be interested to hear from some PBM companies on using Email.  If all

IMHO:

There are very few PBM companies where that is all they do.  It's very hard
to make a substantial living off $3 to $15 turn fees.  If you had a store
where all of your merchandise was in that price range and only made one
sale to your customer base every 2 weeks, you'd die.  Myself, I run PBMs
as a hobby.  I enjoy seeing my players enjoy themselves and I try to keep
the costs reasonable.  I can't afford to fund players fun and don't intend to
and I don't see anyone else that gracious either.  If people want to run
PBeM for free its up to them but it seems like they have far too much time
on your hands.

Is running PBM harder than PBeM?  Yes and no.  Its easier to print and stuff
envelopes rather than editting files together with news, account statements
and turns in some good format rather than sending 2-4 pieces of email to
each person.  Some game companies charge extra for playing by email which
I don't understand.  The cost of uploading stuff by modem and sending it
out versus printing and stuffing is probably the same.  I don't think that
e-gamers should get a discount either.  Everyone's buying the same product:
one turn of PBMGame1.

Happy Gaming!

References

pbm game fees
keith.langley@mdcs.com (Keith Langley)
Mon, 28 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: pbm game fees
lepag001@maroon.tc.umn.edu (Garrett R Le-Page)
Tue, 29 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: pbm game fees
Steve Pritchard <Steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Tue, 29 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: pbm game fees
chrisk@yogi.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Chris Kessel)
Wed, 30 Aug 1995 00:00:00 +0000