Re: For PBM game moderators

From: madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)

Date: Thu, 06 Feb 2003 10:48:04 +0000

>>Oh, and as for PBM games, understand that the very concept of physical
"mail" to this generation is almost archaic. Mail is something that
brings junk mail, bills, and christmas cards. Anyone they want to write
to they can e-mail or chat with online.<<

Your entire message was very interesting and education.  While I don't agree
with many of the points, I'd still like to thank you for some of the most
informative and genuinely vibrant posts this group has seen in a long time.

In regards to the "clipped" comment above, the big interest in postal turns has
always been exactly *because* of what you suggest.  When most post is a load of
crap, an interesting game turn is a jewel in a box of sand.

The way I see it, the point we disagree on is this:-

You think the next generation are all cyber-kids, living and comfortable in the
electronic world, and that this trend will continue.

I think that this is an oversimplification, albeit a common one.  I know your
view is held by many, and I am aware now that you have a background in
marketing.  But, in my own way, so do I, in a somewhat different stream.  And
if there's one thing I've found, it's that marketing guys make plenty of
mistakes when they think they know what people are going to want, and be like,
in the future.

People have been saying for years that kids are turning into couch potatoes,
yet there's a skateboarder on every corner in my town.

People think that email will completely replace regular mail, yet I receive as
many requests for mail turns as email ones, and people often convert to mail
from email after a while.

It is assumed that kids will no longer want to play by post because they are
"used to" computers and the net, but there are many thriving Football (Soccer,
for you yanks) PBMs here in the UK, all considerably larger than their fantasy
cousins.  95% of their commercial players are under 16, and they virtually all
ONLY play by mail and do not want to play by email.

We have heard the postal mail vs email play debate a million times.  it's a
pointless debate.  Both sides have their fans and detractors.  Both sides have
their ups and downs.  Both sides are the same thing, simply through a different
medium.

The fact is, by assuming that people wont want mail play, you are cutting off a
HUGE, and I really do mean that, HUGE, potential audience.  If you think that's
great, or fits your market plan for the future, fair play!  All the more for
me. <chuckle>

Steve T.

References

Re: For PBM game moderators
"Ryan S. Johnson" <dowrie@guildofblades.com>
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 05:13:38 +0000

Referenced By

Re: For PBM game moderators
"Ryan S. Johnson" <dowrie@guildofblades.com>
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 05:13:38 +0000