Re: Online games vs. PBM, was: For PBM game moderators

From: madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)

Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2003 10:24:00 +0000

Mad, you should remember that you've got a big advantage over people who
start in this genre: You've got a name and a reputation, as well as a loyal
customer base. <<

Yep, Im well aware of how import my customer base is and how lucky I am to have
loyal players.  You're right, that does give me an advantage, although we have
had to work hard for a long time to get to that position.

>it's hard to judge new
titles on gameplay because nobody has experience, so people use other
criteria, like graphics, instead. What woprks for you may not work for them.<<

I don't agree that new players wont judge on gameplay.  If a game is marketed
right it will attract intelligent players who care about gameplay.  I do agree,
though, that what works for me may not work for them.  In fact, that's
virtually the point I've been trying to make.  I was responding to the original
mail which seemed to suggest that there was just one way which was going to
work, and I was trying to say that I knew this was not true.

>>I believe that a grpahical client for a PBM game can be extremely helpful in
generating a lot of players for a new game, even non-PBM players. But it's
the gameplay that makes them stay.<<

Well, I can tell you that I still have many hundreds of players who *will not*
use programs to play, *will not* receive emailed turns, and *refuse* point
blank to even look at anything which needs software to run.  Over half my
player base still want postal turns.

This isn't because they are technophobes, nor that they are stupid. Many of
them are computer programmers and suchlike.   Its because they just *like*
postal turns.  Anybody who ignores that area of the market is just leaving more
and more people who are trapped forever in my evil clutches <grin>.

People think the postal market is shrinking.  It isnt.  I'd say its growing.
People often diplomacise heavily by email, join loads of groups, visit chat
rooms, and will often even email their orders using online or offline programs,
but *still only want to receive a posted hard copy of their turn*.  Hundreds
and hundreds of them, or all ages and walks of life.  Kind of puts a spanner in
the works of "the future is GUI" don't you think?

>>But in the end, as norwegians say, great graphics are a bit like pissing in
your pants: You get a warm feeling in the beginning, but it lasts a very
short time.<<

Oh... I LIKE that one! <chuckle>

Steve T.

References

Re: Online games vs. PBM, was: For PBM game moderators
Enno Rehling <enno@despammed.com>
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 08:18:19 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Online games vs. PBM, was: For PBM game moderators
Enno Rehling <enno@despammed.com>
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 08:18:19 +0000