Re: pbem games having players from around the world

From: desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 03:28:43 +0000

Colin Bell <crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk> writes:
> I think the trouble with non-free games is that the hassle (and cost)
> involved in actually paying for it in dollars puts most non-USA people off.

Well, do you accept credit cards, or not?  It seems to me that is the
whole issue.

If you expect people to pay with negotiable instruments (checks or money
orders), the hassle in doing so across national borders is large, and is
borne by the players, and as a result you won't get many.

If you make it possible for people to pay with credit cards, then it's
completely trivial for the players, but a modest expense and
inconvenience for the GM.

So it seems to me that the real issue is: does the GM really want to go
after an international market, and take the steps necessary to do so, or
not?  This is very much like the pbem question.  If a company really
wants to draw pbem business, then they have to do things like offering
discounts for pbem play, direct entry to reduce errors, reliable
delivery and confirmation messages, and so on.  If companies make an
effort to do these things, then they will be attractive to pbem players,
and they will draw on that audience.  If they don't, they won't.  Pretty
simple.

David desJardins
--
Copyright 1994 David desJardins.  Unlimited permission is granted to quote
from this posting for non-commercial use as long as attribution is given.

References

MEPBM:Bill Field Speaks
swater@esd.sgi.com (Adam Waters)
Fri, 18 Nov 1994 19:10:39 +0000
pbem games having players from around the world
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Sat, 19 Nov 1994 02:52:08 +0000
Re: pbem games having players from around the world
crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk (Colin Bell)
Thu, 24 Nov 1994 17:18:50 +0000

Referenced By

MEPBM:Bill Field Speaks
swater@esd.sgi.com (Adam Waters)
Fri, 18 Nov 1994 19:10:39 +0000
pbem games having players from around the world
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Sat, 19 Nov 1994 02:52:08 +0000
Re: pbem games having players from around the world
crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk (Colin Bell)
Thu, 24 Nov 1994 17:18:50 +0000