Re: The nature of the beast

From: lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000

htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi) writes:

> PBEM is the logical evolutionary step for PBM - exploit byte-based
> economics in favour of paper-based economics.  Two of the main cost
> factors for PBM companies is "printing" and "postage".  By moving to
> electronic mail as a distribution medium, they drastically cut down their
> "postage" costs, and offload the "printing" costs to the player.

You forgot "typing". Most modern PBM games have dramatically crapped
up their design in order to lower typing costs. Many PBEM-only designs
return to the good old days.

> The problem with ported (PBM->PBEM) games is not with the turn
> distribution mechanism, it's rooted in the turn submission mechanism.
> Slack management decided to put this in the "too hard" basket and required
> that turns continue to be submitted by snailmail.

Very few games have this feature -- most games offered by large
traditional PBM companies. I think it's foolish, but of course they
have to decide based on their guess of the number of customers who
will use PBEM. And don't forget those companies who are so short
sighted that they listen to players who whine about lower fees for
electronic turns...

> The simple truth is that good game *designers* know that their skills are
> in demand, and don't work for free.

Depends. Some of us are very good at a lot of things, and we happen to
like having hobbies.

> it will probably be as a result of the efforts of a young game
> designer who doesn't even know that he's got a special gift, and produced
> it "just for kicks".  Once it takes off, he will reflect, comprehend, and
> then charge.

Stop assuming. I can't make enough money on PBEM to make it worth charging.
I'd rather give it away and maximize my fun. Most of my design effort
was given away to a commercial gm...

-- g

References

Re: The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Fri, 19 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000