Re: Running a GURPS PBEM

From: Lance <emporer@success.net>

Date: Mon, 10 May 1999 00:00:00 +0000

foxyandy@hotmail.com wrote:

> I want to try my hand at running a GURPS PBEM roleplaying campaign.
> Thing is, I've never run one before, and only participated in a
> single-player game once, so I need advice on how to do it !
>
> I was envisioning a 'manual' system, with hand written replies, and no
> more than four or five players working as a team (or maybe two rival
> teams). I'll be using the GURPS rules, as that's what I have available,
> and players can get a free 'lite' version. Genre will be contemporary
> 'illuminated conspiracy', X-Files/UFO style.
>
> Questions :
> What's the best way of handling player input ? How much should I dictate
> their actions ? How do I keep the storyline going without constantly
> stopping for input ?
>
> What about combat ? I assume players will need to say "I'll shoot at the
> guy with the Uzi. If he drops, I'll make a run for the car. If he shoots
> at me I duck. If I get hit I try and move to better cover and take him
> out"....
>
> Communication - should players be allowed direct email contact, or
> should I keep it anonymous ?
>
> I intend to use a web site to provide support information - maps,
> photos, 'evidence', character bios,  as well as an archive of
> back-story. Any other suggestions ?
>
> --== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==--
> ---Share what you know. Learn what you don't.---

I've done this, both as a player and as a participant.

Rule number one, everything takes 20 times as long as your worst hope.

The more you are willing to fudge things to move the story along, the
faster things will go.  On the other hand, if you really want to write
the story yourself, why not just call it fiction?

Players discussing what to do next can easily eat a month.
Combat can last 3 months or more.
Players have an annoying tendancy to drop out.

All that said, this can still be an enjoyable medium.  The more work
you can put into it the better.  A web site is very helpful, posting
maps, drawings, memos and so forth.  SOmething I haven't seen
yet would be posting the ongoing action on the site instead of
mailing it out to each player; providing updates to each about private
matters by email but keeping the main action on the web.  It gets
difficult as a player juggling the large number of emails that gradually
accumulate.  As GM, this is magnified by the number of players you
have!

--
Lance Berg
LaForge: Custom and commercial weapons and armor
http://empyre.net/laforge
----------------------------{====*
*=====}---------------------------

References

Running a GURPS PBEM
foxyandy@hotmail.com
Mon, 10 May 1999 00:00:00 +0000