Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs

From: Kevin@fairbruk.demon.co.uk (Kevin Blackburn)

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 22:23:53 +0000

In article <Frontiersman.03ja@pagani.demon.co.uk>
           Frontiersman@pagani.demon.co.uk "Ste Kemp - GM" writes:
[SNIP]
> Yes, but you are assuming I am running a party-based game. I am not. So far
> all my players' characters are scattered across the entire galaxy and have
> not met. They may or may not do so in future. In such a charcater-based game,
> can you tell me exactly WHAT is gained by the players knowing who other
> players are?
[SNIP]
From my experience of a similar set up, as a player and as a GM, in snail
mail games: it's a matter of swings and roundabouts, on the way to the goal of
having fun. If players are friends anyway then chatting about the game can be
very enjoyable. If the players don't know each other to start with then the
following of course doesn't apply (unless the GM introduces players to each
other).

It takes considerable restraint to not let on who you are in such chats about
the game, though it can be done. Obviously you don't let on to your plots.
Chatting in character is also fun, even if the conversation "couldn't happen".
It can also lead to players bouncing ideas off each other until a worthwhile
idea arrives that delights all concerned WITHIN the game. It can also lead
to players being totally misled about the intent of other players in a manner
that a GM description just can't achieve.

Avoiding players noticing the PC/NPC difference also requires considerable
GM effort (beyond me as a GM, but easier for others I have known) - basically
every NPC has to APPEAR to be as well fleshed out as a PC would be. An
alternative I've seen used to good effect is for the GM to have a few NPCs
fleshed out to the level of PC's, so you can tell after a while if someone is
special, but don't know the controller (GM or other player).

The negatives to players knowing which are PC's are mostly obvious: picking
on PC's because of the player, unrealistic coordination, and so on.

The correct answer: my guess is that allow the players to chat if they want,
as long as they have had dire threats made to them about what would be
considered "cheating". On the other hand, don't go pointing out PC's unless
both players in the equation want it.
--
Kevin Blackburn                    Kevin@fairbruk.demon.co.uk

References

The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
afabbro@umich.edu (Andrew Philip Fabbro)
Mon, 28 Nov 1994 21:00:55 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
Frontiersman@pagani.demon.co.uk (Ste Kemp - GM)
Thu, 08 Dec 1994 19:36:55 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
dconner@clark.net (David Conner)
Sat, 10 Dec 1994 18:00:35 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
Frontiersman@pagani.demon.co.uk (Ste Kemp - GM)
Sat, 17 Dec 1994 23:05:09 +0000

Referenced By

The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
afabbro@umich.edu (Andrew Philip Fabbro)
Mon, 28 Nov 1994 21:00:55 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
Frontiersman@pagani.demon.co.uk (Ste Kemp - GM)
Thu, 08 Dec 1994 19:36:55 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
dconner@clark.net (David Conner)
Sat, 10 Dec 1994 18:00:35 +0000
Re: The Future of PBEM & USENET RPGs
Frontiersman@pagani.demon.co.uk (Ste Kemp - GM)
Sat, 17 Dec 1994 23:05:09 +0000