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

From: keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)

Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 18:42:11 +0000

Hi all,

> Isn't this the way to go ?

(Usual proviso: I only play open-ended games, so unless otherwise
noted my comments are about them)

Fully automated? To some extent, yes. Don't forget mixed-moderated
games, there's no substitute for a bit of hand moderation. If the game
has a substantial computer-moderated element, some players will pay a
reasonable fee for special actions (this happens in Phoenix).

Web-based isn't the only option, though. Player client programs
running on a PC can provide better facilities than web-based
interfaces.

Phil S talked about speed...and I agree with him. One of the big
advantages of PBM is that its slower than any other game. This gives
you time to talk to allies, to roleplay, to imagine and to make plans.
Fantastic.

Trouble is, every PBM I've ever played has been not just slow but
mind-blowingly slow. Getting anything done takes months. Want to walk
from London to Guildford? That'll be a year. Whether you're meeting up
with an ally or tracking an enemy, most of your turns along the way
are full of trivia - you killed another goblin or your leader gained a
strength point.

Some games are better than others (e.g. BSE), but in that major events
were exceptionally rare. Battles came once in a blue moon (two or
three a year if you're lucky and warlike).

I'm not sure how much this problem is inherent in the nature of the
game, and whether more advanced technology will help to resolve it.
Going to faster turnarounds may be part of the solution, but while I
feel that a fortnightly turnaround is excessive once per day is too
much. I don't have time to spend on PBM every day, and I suspect most
other adults don't.

I think that the major reason for the slow pace of open-ended games
has been 'rationing' of content and enforced stability of inter-player
balance. 'Quest generators' and the like could help with the former,
as could ways for players to do clever things and 'create content'.
The latter remains a torturously difficult design issue, and I don't
see it going away any time soon.

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