Re: New PBEM-Web Ideas

From: pavogel@mindspring.com (Philip A. Vogel)

Date: Thu, 01 Apr 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Hi TankGirl,

I understand your inclination to support free game sites that are run
for fun only.  At the same time, I also support commercial gaming
ventures.  I think that often times, commercial games tend to be a bit
more reliable as far as turn processing and customer service goes.  I
am a former designer of a failed free play by web game, so I have
experienced the dilemma of ending a game before it was done.  There is
more incentive to deliver the service when dealing with money.  (not
to say that all commercial games are reliable though...)
It is also possible that the gaming service and/or product (like an
interface application), are extraordinary enough to warrant real
money.
James seems like he may have the right skill set, idea and motivation
to create something that is worthy of some money.  It is my belief
that when the conditions are right, it is possible to earn a decent
living on the earnings of a play by web game which offers a good
experience to gamers.

--Phil

tankgirl@bellsouth.net (T. Stauffer) wrote:

>
>I personally prefer 'free' sites, sites like mushes and muds that are
>not commercial, where people put up the game for the joy of running
>and playing the game and not for bucks.  I spend enough money on the
>books and other materials.  I've been playing games on the internet
>for about eight years now and own my own mux; I  have helped build
>many others.  I would never charge my players.  It's people out to
>make a buck that ruins the spirit of things and discourages gaming,
>though I suppose money is incentive for making advances in gaming for
>alot of  people.  I don't mean this as an insult to you,  It is just
>my opinion,  but I think there are a lot of people around who probably
>feel the same way about commercial sites.
>
>Tankgirl@bellsouth.net
>
>
>bloodly@my-dejanews.com wrote:
>
>>Greetings,
>>
>>I am realitivly new to the PBM/PBEM realm but I have some fabulous ideas for
>>a comerial site... but first let me tell you a little about myself.  I�m 32
>>years old, a contract programmer and business owner. I own several companies
>>in the gaming industry and have done my share of on-line game programming
>>(commercial MUDs) as well as web CGI programming. I�m also an expert in Unix,
>>SQL databases, and C programming.
>>
>>On to the point-- I believe there is a lot of untapped potential for faster
>>moving web based gaming, while still maintaining the PBEM style. As revenue
>>is based on participation and number of turns this idea should be profitable.
>>I have the programming skill to 100% automate the turn entries and processing
>>as well as add a great deal of functionality to a web page (such as auto
>>mapping in graphics, interactive stores, player rankings, interactive
>>character generation, and more).
>>
>>I own a completly original world and fantasy game system that I am thinking
>>of using to create a new web based game. Also games like Arena Gladiators
>>with rankings of players as well as kingdom/conquer types of strategy games
>>would work well in this environment. I am trying to get a feeling for what is
>>already out there and what others might think of this idea. I'd rather not
>>reinvent the wheel so I'm open to some collaberative efforts. I have sent
>>this mail to some comerial PBM sites as well as people who seem to understand
>>the field.
>>
>>What I'm looking for from YOU is thoughts and ideas and comments about this
>>concept. If you have more to offer I'm open to talks :)
>>
>>Thanks for you time,
>>James, MDC
>>
>>-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
>>http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
>

References

New PBEM-Web Ideas
bloodly@my-dejanews.com
Fri, 19 Mar 1999 00:00:00 +0000
Re: New PBEM-Web Ideas
tankgirl@bellsouth.net (T. Stauffer)
Mon, 22 Mar 1999 00:00:00 +0000