Re: New person

From: bigmac@sparkyfs.istc.sri.com (Bryan McDonald)

Date: Tue, 03 Apr 1990 19:44:43 +0000

>In article <11466@encore.Encore.COM> terryk@encore.com.com (Terence Kelleher) writes:
>>I'm not only new to the group but also to PBM.  I've done some frp in
>>the past but now live where it is scarce.  I'm interested in PBM but
>>need someone to guide me in how to do it and the manners that it
>>entails.  Is anyone interested?

I guess this means it is time for "Plug Your Favorite Games". ;-)

There are a lot of good games out there to play, and which ones you
play will very much depend on what you are interested in doing.
Off of the top of my head I can think of a dozen games, and each one
is vastly different in play and feel and concept.  There are tactics
and strategy games that have no character but are get for the warrior
in you, and there are Role Playing games that ask deep characterization
and require no tactics or combat of you (unless you want).

Some do's and don't (all this is my own opinion, of course).  I would recomend
that you look for a pbm magazine, to find out about companies and games offered.
Paper Mayhem and Flagship are two of the more popular ones.  Second, when
you find someone that enjoys the same kind of game you do, ask them what else
they play and why.  Don't be taken in by some of these big companies that
offer very low start fees that turns into big maney sinks.  There are a lot
of these companies out there, and they should be avoided like the plaugue.
My own personal gripe is with Adventures By Mail.  Some people like their
games, but I can't stand the company and the way they treat their customers.
Don't be afraid to contact other players and ask a LOT of questions.  Most
of us like to help each other out, and word of mouth is a very powerful
tool in this industry.

So, let me recomend a couple of game that I am in now that cover
part of the spectrum.

Out Time Days (Twin Engine Gaming):  By far the best, most involving game
I have ever been in.  The format is role playing, your position is a Time
Traveler (TT) thrown into a "fantasy" world.  The logic is not to far off center,
although it does take a little time get rolling and into the experience of
the game.  You live in a world with other TT's, join alliances or sects that
demonstrate something of your character beliefs, then live, explore, fight,
enjoy and in general have a ball.  The turns a once a week, and there are very
few hidden costs (many never see these and don't need them to enjoy the
game).  The rule book is short, with a majority of what need being commonsense
and a willingness to ask questions of your party of followers and of other
players.  We have yet to discover all the various rules in the game, but then
that is part of the fun.  This one is pretty unique in the pbm world.
[TEG also has a very simple and fun game called Space Combat, which I am not
in right now, but is an easy starter game.]

Orion's Nebula (Orpheus Publishing Co.):  One of the more complex games I play,
the Neb has just started turns after an extensive playtest (I think turn 3 just
processed).  I have read most of the rules, and while they seem easy to follow,
I can tell that this game will take some time each turn organizing my resources
and making the numbers come out right.  In the Neb each player starts with a star
ship (or 2 or 3) quite a ways into the future that you use to explore, trade,
conquer, etc based on the race you pick when you sign up.  This one could get
expensive as you play longer, but that is yet to be seen.

Kings and Things* (Andon Games):  This one is a real simple, fun game with a short
duration and a winner.  It is based on the board game of the same name, and plays
well.  A couple of us have had some problems with mail to this company, but they
are now running a bbs system to accept turns that I may try next time to avoid the
USnail.  In Kings and Things* you have a kingdom and an army of "things" (like
killer penguins, icemen, flying buffulo's, etc) which you use to conquer
the world.  Of course, there are 10-15 players out to do the same, so things get
fun fast.  This game is very simple and a new comer to pbm's might use it to
wet their feet, so to speak.

There are a lot of others out there, but I am getting tired of typing.  If you have
any questions, email me and I can get you more information.  In the meantime I will
let others plug their own favorites.

Bryan

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

|  ssss rrrr iii  The last thing in the world I need is
Bryan McDonald        | s     r  r  i    for SRI to think I have an opinion
SRI International     |  sss  rrrr  i    about anything, so, please, keep
bigmac@itstd.sri.com  |     s r r   i    this between you and me.
                      | ssss  r  r iii

" I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. "

References

New person
terryk@pinocchio (Terence Kelleher)
Sat, 31 Mar 1990 23:59:38 +0000
Re: New person
cohen@boulder.Colorado.EDU (COHEN MATTHEW I)
Tue, 03 Apr 1990 04:47:34 +0000