Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods

From: Aaron-Dirk Boyden <Aaron-Dirk_Boyden@brown.edu>

Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Carol Mulholland wrote:

> Depends what you mean by 'big'. I think players who choose to pursue an
> unusual line of play pretty soon run up against software limitations in
> a computer-mod.

This can, of course, happen.  I lack experience with hand-moderated
PBMs, but in tabletop RPGs I've often found that unusual lines of play
run up against GM-opposition limitations.  With a really good GM, this
problem is of course reduced, and if I may extrapolate my experience, I
expect a well-GMed hand-mod would have fewer such problems than a
well-written computer-moderated game.  However, in this thread someone
actually commented that a hand-mod with a below-average GM could
outperform any computer, and that I cannot believe.  Perhaps that person
has had the good fortune to never actually encounter a below-average GM.

> Excessive detail can make a game uncomfortable to play.

Excessive detail is, so far as I can see, the biggest advantage of PBM
over in-person gaming (unless one is unable to arrange in-person games
due to geography or other limitations).  I'm sure it's possible to go
overboard, as with anything, but speaking for myself, the level of
detail I'm comfortable with in a PBM is probably a lot higher than the
level of detail a hand-moderator is capable of comfortably tracking.

--
---
Aaron Boyden

"It is wrong always, everywhere and for anyone, to believe
anything upon insufficient evidence."  W. K. Clifford

References

More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
casbahcarl@aol.compost (Chuck)
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
"Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Aaron-Dirk Boyden <Aaron-Dirk_Boyden@brown.edu>
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
"Chris Dempsey" <Chris@spelbinder.demon.co.uk>
Sat, 17 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Aaron-Dirk Boyden <Aaron-Dirk_Boyden@brown.edu>
Sun, 18 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Carol Mulholland <Carol@flagship-uk.demon.co.uk>
Mon, 19 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
casbahcarl@aol.compost (Chuck)
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
"Steve Pritchard" <steve@spelbind.demon.co.uk>
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Aaron-Dirk Boyden <Aaron-Dirk_Boyden@brown.edu>
Fri, 16 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
"Chris Dempsey" <Chris@spelbinder.demon.co.uk>
Sat, 17 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Aaron-Dirk Boyden <Aaron-Dirk_Boyden@brown.edu>
Sun, 18 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: More Depth? Comp-Mods vs. Hand-Mods
Carol Mulholland <Carol@flagship-uk.demon.co.uk>
Mon, 19 Jul 1999 00:00:00 +0000