Re: The nature of the beast

From: lindahl@pbm.com (Greg Lindahl)

Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000

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

> 1)  Electronic turns.  A PBM game that accepts electronically-submitted
> turns probably does so by way of a helper-application which creates the
> turn (file).

I play Olympia using the helper application "emacs". I think a
majority of PBEM games don't use a helper for input or output. See the
PBM List.

> [As an aside, if there is already a label for these types of games
> commonly in use, could someone please tell me?  Also, is this an
> acceptable forum for discussion of these types of games?  If not, what
> newsgroup is more appropriate?  Finally, where can I read the charter for
> this newsgroup, and check out the latest FAQ?]

There is no charter -- we predate the concept. The FAQ is on
dejanews. And sure, you can talk about your "paper free games" here,
although I don't see them as needing a different label from PBEM. I
play Olympia as a paper-free game. Other people do not. Diversity,
mon.  I actually use a mapper program to assist play (so I lied about
the emacs thing). Other players don't use the same program because
it's private to my alliance.

> PFEM has not yet finished maturing and so will be around for a while to
> come - even so, it is doomed because of societal (primarily time-based)
> pressures towards real-time entertainment.

That pressure is also AGAINST real-time entertainment. I can't afford
to meet at a given time to play. With a PBEM game and weekly
turnaround, I can play any time I have free during that week. You may
see this pressure differently from me. Diversity.

-- g

References

The nature of the beast
htp@dove.net.au (Henry Penninkilampi)
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 00:00:00 +0000