Re: ME-PBM Review

From: v011l6fc@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (DAVE ROSSELL)

Date: Fri, 02 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000

I also haven't read the review, but I think folks have been a little harsh on
the reviewer (based on what the responses have said).

ME-PBM, while fun, is *far* from perfect.  It is especially hard on someone who
does not have e-mail, playing with folks who do not have e-mail.  I just
finished up a game where this was the case, and my long distance bills averaged
about $50/month on me-pbm calls alone.  And our team was *still* coordinated
poorly in many cases.  I doubt I'll play another non-e-mail or non-local game
for this reason.  Hell, I could've played in a 5x2 for less cost!

Newbies without e-mail are also in for a *very* rough time.  If they play
against veterans, everyone has the setups but them. Nor do they know what will
be coming their way.  I played the Northmen in my first game of me-pbm.  It
sounded like a fun position, seemed to have a good setup.  Until the Long
Rider, Blind Sorceror and Dog Lord converged on my nation and agents killed
half my characters.  No one had told me that I needed to get agents up quickly
and that I could expect several large Serv armies coming at me.  And since it
was a singles game, the Dwarves and Sinda moved their armies out of Rhun on
Turn 1, leaving me alone.  This sort of thing *can* happen, and make the game
quite miserable for a new player.  GSI should give every player a summary of
all the setups, along with a brief article discussing strategy for the various
nations.  It's the only way to give newbies a fair shot.

So, those e-mail me-pbmers out there, please remember what the game is like
without Internet access--a lot more expensive, and (for a new player) a lot
less fun.

********************************************************************************

Dave Rossell                               "When you lay your dreams to rest,
v011L6FC@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu	            you can get what's second best,
                                            but it's hard to get enough."
						-David Wilcox

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References

Re: ME-PBM Review
dcd@nasa.kodak.com (Dennis DeYoung)
Wed, 31 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: ME-PBM Review
Patrick F. McGehearty <patrick@convex.COM>
Thu, 01 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: ME-PBM Review
dcd@nasa.kodak.com (Dennis DeYoung)
Wed, 31 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000
Re: ME-PBM Review
Patrick F. McGehearty <patrick@convex.COM>
Thu, 01 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000