Play by mail game
Play by mail games are games, of any type, played through postal mail or e-mail. One example, chess, has been played by mail for centuries (when played in this way, it is known as correspondence chess). Another example, Diplomacy has been played by mail since the 1960s, starting with a printed newsletter (a fanzine) written by John Boardman. More complex wargames, moderated by computer programs, were pioneered by Rick Loomis and his company, Flying Buffalo Games.
Play by mail games are often referred to as PBM games, and play by email is sometimes abbreviated PBeM -- as opposed to face to face (FTF) games, which are played in person.
Postal gaming
Postal gaming developed as a way for geographically separated gamers to compete with each other. It was especially useful for those living in isolated areas and / or those whose tastes in games was uncommon.
In the case of a two player game such as chess players would simply send their moves to each other alternately.
In the case of a multi-player game such as Diplomacy a central game master would run the game, receiving the moves and publishing adjudications. Such adjudications were often published in postal game zines, some of which contained far more than just games.
Internet play-by-mail
With the rise of the Internet postal gaming and postal games zines have largely been replaced by email and websites. Play by mail games differ from popular online multiplayer games in that, for most computerized multiplayer games, the players have to be online at the same time. With a play by mail game, the players can play whenever they choose. Some computer games can be played in a play by mail mode: you make your "move," mail a file to your opponent, who makes his "move," and mails something back.
E-Mail Games is a site that offers free wargaming by e-mail.
External Links
- Diplomatic Pouch (for PBM Diplomacy): http://www.diplom.org/
- E-Mail Games: http://www.islandnet.com/~dgreenin/emg.htm E-Mail Games Website
- Flying Buffalo Games: http://www.flyingbuffalo.com
- Mission From God http://www.fbgames.co.uk/words/mfg/mfgtoc.htm Guide to the amateur PBM in the UK
- Play by mail home page: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/pbm.html
- Play dozens of online turn-based games against thousands of opponents: http://www.itsyourturn.com
- Richard's Play-By-Email Server http://www.gamerz.net/~pbmserv/ free and supports more than 50 board-games mostly abstract games.
- The Tangerine Terror http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~latics PBM zine for wargames/strategy games
Referenced By
ChesS | Diplomacy (game) | Diplomacy game | Game | Game basic topics | Game of skill | Games | List of board games | List of game topics | List of games | List of role-playing games | WinBoard | XBoard
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