Re: PBM games how do they work?

From: skrenta@cbnewsg.att.com (Rich Skrenta)

Date: Mon, 18 Nov 1991 21:34:32 +0000

rorschak@daimi.aau.dk (Jesper Lauridsen) writes:
>    Are there any fantasy type pbm's that can compete with muds?
> It's hard for me to imagine how a one-turn-a-week game can match
> the muds with their (relatively) fast action.

My first reaction to pbm was the same.  "What??  A TWO WEEK turnaround?
You gotta be kidding."  However, pbm has several advantages over
real time games:

o  You can play with more people

If you're in a pbm with 100 players, you're playing
		against 100 people.  A real time game may have a
		high number of participants but they may not all
		be logged in when you want to play.

More people may be willing to play also because
		they can play when they have time.

o  Turns can proceed "in step"

Players who type faster or are closer on the
		network don't gain an advantage.  There are pbm
		games where this is not true but I consider them
		poorly designed.

o  Strategy works

Since turns proceed in step and all players have a
		fair chance to send in orders each turn you can
		have strategy.  Imagine if whoever moved his pieces
		fastest in chess won, or if you could move while
		your opponent was getting a sandwich.

Add to this the fact that many MUDs are not really games at all,
but mostly sophisticated chat programs.

--
Rich Skrenta

References

Re: PBM games how do they work?
rorschak@daimi.aau.dk (Jesper Lauridsen)
Mon, 18 Nov 1991 20:44:41 +0000

Referenced By

Re: PBM games how do they work?
rorschak@daimi.aau.dk (Jesper Lauridsen)
Mon, 18 Nov 1991 20:44:41 +0000