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

From: Enno Rehling <enno@despammed.com>

Date: Fri, 07 Feb 2003 08:04:04 +0000

MadCentral wrote:
>>>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.

Yes, that market segment will not be reached by a grpahical client, sure.
But you're already owning a huge share of that segment, and us poor
newcomers will have to look elsewhere :-) Because even the ones that aren't
playing your games will be hearing the good news from the ones that are.

It's possible to extend the niche, though, or target an audience that has
different requirements, while still wanting to essentially play the same
kinds of games. They want great gameplay but son't care about handwritten
turns on papyrus, bound in pigskin ;-) And I think that there's a
significant number of people who's like a GUI client instead. These people
are in between the turn-based web gamers (planetarion, dominions) and the
classic PBM players.

And unlike Paul I don't believe that there's a point in trying to target the
minesweeper/solitaire audience. They have very different opinions on what
constitutes a good game. What they like is, in my opinion, repetitive
gameplay that involves a minimum of brain cells. That demographic is way too
different.

> 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?

Not unless it says "the *only* future is GUI". I think there is a future and
a market for PBEMs with a GUI. That doesn't mean that there's no future or
market for postal gaming. They have different entrance barriers, though.

>> 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>

I thought you would :-)

Enno.

References

Re: Online games vs. PBM, was: For PBM game moderators
Enno Rehling <enno@despammed.com>
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 08:18:19 +0000
Re: Online games vs. PBM, was: For PBM game moderators
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Thu, 06 Feb 2003 10:24:00 +0000