PBEM vs. Non-ASCII

From: SubBob@camden.tds.net (Bob King)

Date: Sat, 28 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000

On 27 Nov 1998 15:43:08 -0800, David desJardins
<desj@math.berkeley.edu> wrote:

>Yes, of course.  In fact if you were to send anything other than
>readable ASCII, I wouldn't call it an email game.  If you just use email
>as the transport mechanism for some sort of binary data exchange, that's
>something else entirely than PBEM, in my view.

I've elected to stay entirely out of the player/GM dispute, but the
above comment (and a few others along that vein) spurred me to action.

First, I disagree that the turn results must be ASCII or plain-text to
be considered PBEM.  The best example, as far as I'm concerned, is VGA
Planets.  I realize there are probably many on this group that would
not "be in the same room" as VGA Planets and do not consider it true
PBEM.  However, just on the basis of how the game is played, it is.
The data files are far from text as they are binary and must be
processed with the player front-end.

Now, I also take issue with anyone who feels a good PBEM *must* have a
front-end.  Galaxy was around long before the add-on utilities to
graphically view the turn results.  Take a generic RPG PBEM - if it is
entirely story based I can't think of a single advantage to developing
some sort of cumbersome front end.

Sure, the phrase "PBEM" means different things to different people.
But couldn't we just agree that if it is 1) a game and 2) played via
email then it is PBEM?  If you don't want to play a game without a
front-end, then don't - many others would like to (and vice versa).

----------------------------------
Bob King - SubBob@camden.tds.net
ICQ 4687207

References

Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
ggshaw11@aol.com (GGShaw11)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
madcentral@aol.com (MadCentral)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
ggshaw11@aol.com (GGShaw11)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Spellbinder Games - best avoided!
David desJardins <desj@math.berkeley.edu>
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 00:00:00 +0000