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Jeff's article entitled 'Email Gaming'. Published in 'Knights of the Dinner Table'.
Often, scheduling a weekly gaming session thats convenient for everyone in the group can become as monumental a task as the adventure itself. But with the advent of the Internet, a whole new type of gaming has arisen that allows people to play anytime of the day and from just about anywhere in the world. Its called play by email (PBEM) gaming.
PBEM gaming evolved from play by mail (PBM) gaming. In PBM gaming, each player creates a character and joins a multi-player turn based campaign. The player is given a scenario and a set of options. They respond via mail to the gamemaster who computes their actions, and mails back the results. PBM games generally offered rich campaign worlds and the potential for highly intricate long-term playing. However, their appeal was limited to a core group of enthusiasts who enjoyed the level of complexity offered and did not mind the time it would take to process turns and send out results. This premise was taken one step further with the availability of electronic mail (or Email).
Gaming via Email allows players to enter a game world, where the campaign can progress at a weekly or even daily pace. Groups usually open an account on one of several Listing services available on the Internet such as Yahoo! Groups. These services link multiple email addresses together forming a mailing list. When someone posts to the list all of the members receive the email messages. These services also provide free file space to down load maps and other tools for the game. Some services even provide chatrooms for the list members.
A standard PBEM game mirrors its tabletop counterparts in many ways. One person assumes the role of gamemaster and prepares the adventure or campaign setting. The others become players and create characters to run through the game. The gamemaster then outlines the House rules and game turn frequency, after which the game is ready to begin. The gamemaster usually begins with a description of the immediate setting and then the players post in character. For example:
GM: You all meet for dinner at the home of Baron Drake. Before dinner you find yourselves in the parlor. The Baron enters and greets everyone. Thank you my friends for coming. I have a mission that will prove quite profitable. However, I realize some of you have not met so please feel free to introduce your selves.
Following this introduction each player posts their characters action.
Player 1: A Tall dark skinned man stands up and bows to those assembled I am Khoraj Ibn Mahjid. Formerly of the Emperors Lancers.
Player 2: A slim young lady, wearing the robes of a Druid speaks next. Greetings, I am Telima servant of the Earth Goddess.
Player 3: In a chair by the fire is a Rugged looking Halfling dressed in deerskins, he appears to have helped himself to the majority of the pastries, pocketing what he hasnt eaten. Oh, hi. My name's Red. I do a bit of trapping around these parts.
So it goes until all the players have responded. The Gamemaster then moves on to the next scene or allows for some in character discussion in order for the players and characters to get to know each other.
When combat arises, the Gamemaster will usually call for intended actions. After which, he will either resolve the combat by rounds, calling for new intentions each round, or resolve it all in one turn. The former is more realistic and enjoyable for the players, the latter, quicker and easier, especially when large groups of players are involved.
There are several advantages to PBEM gaming, the biggest is convenience. Since the average turnaround time for a PBEM game turn is 24-48 hours, most players post character actions at their leisure. Whether its first thing in the morning before work or while unwinding after a long day. Its possible to play at home, work, the library or wherever there is a computer with Internet access to the group list. Any time you need that game fix, just log on and post away. Another advantage to PBEM gaming is that a person is able to create personas that are not only highly detailed but are always in character. Gamers tend to take a great deal of pride in their characters, creating elaborate backgrounds, genealogies, and equipment descriptions. But, often times when a situation presents itself for role-playing at a table top game, they will shy away from really getting into their characters (using a distinct voice, adopting a certain attitude, etc.). PBEM gaming allows you the freedom to assume a character and fully explore their persona.
Much has been written about the Internet being a tool for global networking, PBEM gaming is an excellent example of this. Nowhere else can a person play a game of D&D with a teacher from the Midwest, a German computer programmer, a Sailor stationed in Japan and an architect from Bolivia all at the same time.
Of course, there are drawbacks to PBEM gaming. The biggest of which is the loss of the face to face interaction that makes role-playing games fun. Nothing beats a room full of friends battling evil on a tabletop full of miniatures. And we all know there is no substitute for rolling dice! Another problem found in PBEM games is the medium of email itself. Often, words or actions are misinterpreted or misunderstood. Sometimes its hard to know when someone is genuinely upset over something or merely playing in character. And just as in table top gaming, there is the inevitable death of a campaign (we have all been there) even though that Roman Senate campaign sounded fun at first, it only took two sessions to realize how boring role-playing Roman politics can be.
PBEMs as with any other form of electronic communication, requires that the players exercise common sense and good manners. When a disagreement with a Gamesters call or another players action arises, and it will, the proper way to handle it is privately. Constantly badgering the gamemaster on the list or flaming other players with snide remarks can ruin the fun and disrupt the flow of the game for everyone. One simple technique for differentiating between In character and Out of character comments is to precede your statements with the abbreviations IC or OOC. This will also aid the gamemaster in knowing which statements you are making as a character, and which statement you are making as a player. One last thing to remember regarding conduct at a PBEM game is to be sensitive to the feelings and beliefs of others. Usually, at a tabletop game you play with close friends or at least casual acquaintances. In a PBEM, you may find yourself in a game with several people of varying ages, sexes, and nationalities. Off color jokes or sarcasm, that is often found in a tabletop game could lose its humor or even be mistaken for an insult in an email environment. Remember to be considerate of your fellow players.
Finding a PBEM is relatively easy, just enter the acronym PBEM into any search engine such as Lycos or Hotbot. After a little surfing, youre bound to find a campaign that suits you. Usually these games are already in progress and have enough players. But you can always Lurk. A lurker joins the list as an observer, this is a good way for one to know if a game or group is right for them. Later if an established player leaves or if the Gamemaster has another opening, the lurker may be invited to join as a full member. The most important thing to remember as a lurker is to never interrupt the game. Any comments that a lurker makes should be directed to the Gamemaster privately. There are several sites that offer PBEM recruiting services. One of the most popular is the PBeM News found at PBeM.com. This is a free service that matches up Gamesters and PBEM players. They also provide links to free dice rollers, map builders and other tools to help spice up PBEM games. Other resources that have proven invaluable to me personally, are the 2nd edition AD&D Core Rules CD-ROM and the wide variety of second edition modules available in electronic software download format from the Wizards of the Coast online store.
As stated earlier, nothing can replace the camaraderie and good times had by a group of friends sharing an evening of gaming. However, as we get older and our responsibilities grow, the chance to pull All nighters are few and far between. PBEM games are not replacement for traditional tabletop D&D, but rather a supplement to your gaming lifestyle, a way to enjoy the hobby we love, a little bit each day without having to find a babysitter.
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