Re: Are web based games the future of pbm/pbem.

From: keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)

Date: Sat, 24 May 2003 17:31:20 +0000

Hi all,

> Isn't this the way to go ?

One further observation: I've had a quick look at Turf Wars, and it
seems to be very much a web game - orders are processed immediately.
I'm guessing that you have to check in fairly regularly to stay in top
of the action?

This is in contrast to the defining style of PBM gaming, which is
turn-based play with turns no more than once a day. There's also the
issue that with a pure web game you don't get anything to 'take away',
no turnsheet either real of electronic. This latter point matters to
me.

Of course, you can provide a web interface to a slow-turnaround game.
Indeed, a web frontend could allow players to view their current
status. This naturally leads on to player interfaces that know the
details of the player's position and can block (or at least question)
actions that are guaranteed to fail. This, I agree, is probably the
way forward.

On an unrelated note....I would question the idea that the game is
supported by 'donations'; they look like fees to me, since they
provide direct in-game benefit. I wouldn't play a game that's as
blatant as this about allowing players to buy power, it leaves a bad
taste in the mouth.

rob

References

Are web based games the future of pbm/pbem.
google@gameskingdom.co.uk (evilb)
Mon, 19 May 2003 14:06:34 +0000

Referenced By

Are web based games the future of pbm/pbem.
google@gameskingdom.co.uk (evilb)
Mon, 19 May 2003 14:06:34 +0000