Re: MMOG PBM stategy game, your opinion?

From: spambucket666au@yahoo.com.au (steve)

Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 05:27:08 +0000

> As I assume you are aware (since you posted to rec.games.pbm) there
> are already numerous PBEM games that have automated order processing.
> Some of them are commercial e.g. DungeonWorld (www.madcentral.com) or
> Phoenix (www.kjcgames.com).

Actually Im not that familair with many PBM games, except LOTE which I
mentioned earlier, which is a cracker.  I need to look into other
games.

> I'm not really familiar with any web-based games. An alternative to
> web-based play would be emailed turn reports, perhaps in PDF format,
> and an offline order editor. See total conquest
> (www.total-conquest.com) for an example of this (I haven't played it
> myself, though). Personally, I'd find this more interesting and
> convenient than web-based play - the PDF (or whatever) turn result is
> something semi-tangible to keep, and I can download it then puruse at
> my leisure.

This game would generate personal turn reports.  But the UI would be
for order entry and validation, using an online map for locating and
moving things.  I find email text entry tedious and error prone.

> > The emphasis of this game would be on politics and 'empire' building,
> > in that order, and unlike most other games, I mean in_that_order.  The
> > 'empire' part of the phrase 'empire building' can mean an empire that
> > is geographical, economic or religious in nature (or a mixture of all
> > three).
>
> Do you mean to have each player controlling an empire, or do you see
> players controlling settlements, armies etc. and forming empires by
> working together. I prefer the latter but opinions differ.

How many games are you aware of that use take the multi-player per
empire option?

> > The game would allow for thousands of players, and be never-ending, in
> > the MMOG traditon.
>
> There is also an open-ended PBM tradition, your proposed game would
> probably be closer to this. So for game design purposes it might be
> instructive to look at these games. The problems you'd face would
> probably be closer than those of EverQuest etc.
>
> > 1) How many people would be interested in such a game, AND paying a
> > subscription to play it?  (In your opinion from playing MMOG games)
>
> I would be. Players from the commercial PBM/PBEM hobby might well be,
> but there are not so many of them these days.
>
> You'd have to prove why you're better than free PBEM/web games,
> though. This might be something you'd build up over time.
>
> > 2) How much would be a good subscription price?  We are thingking of
> > US$25 per quarter.
>
> For something that delivered a good PBM-type experience, I'd
> definately pay that. I already pay more for an open-ended PBEM.

Yeah, I suspect that the audience will end up being more the older
'traditional gamer' set than the RTS online set.  Im hoping that the
monetary issue is less important to this audience than the quality of
the game.

How many of these people are out there?  2000 players for that
previous game you mentioned is encouraging.

thanks again,

Steve

References

MMOG PBM stategy game, your opinion?
spambucket666au@yahoo.com.au (steve)
Fri, 10 Jan 2003 02:36:15 +0000
Re: MMOG PBM stategy game, your opinion?
keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)
Fri, 10 Jan 2003 11:50:44 +0000

Referenced By

MMOG PBM stategy game, your opinion?
spambucket666au@yahoo.com.au (steve)
Fri, 10 Jan 2003 02:36:15 +0000
Re: MMOG PBM stategy game, your opinion?
keenuward@hotmail.com (Rob Alexander)
Fri, 10 Jan 2003 11:50:44 +0000