[gurps] PBEM

[Holmes, Erik]

Bryan,

 

I've run a few PBEM games and I can tell you that they are a lot of
work.

 

My biggest suggestion would be to start something small. Start with
maybe 3-5 players and then pick up more later on if you feel like it.

 

When I run PBEM's I like to keep things almost freeform. When I have
used dice rollers online I usually let the players roll them themselves
(you'd be surprised how much time you can spend just rolling dice for
people). Personally I think open, player driven games are the best for
PBEM's. You want the player to tell you what they are doing, and then
you can interject situations, NPC's, etc. along the way. 

 

What I try to avoid is having to tell the players things like what a
room looks like and then what the next room looks like, etc. I'd rather
have the players tell me what they are doing, like; "I went to the Blue
Jewel Tavern, it was a real dump but my friend Jack worked there. I went
in, blah, blah, blah, I asked Jack if he knew where I could find the
parts I needed." Then I can respond with, "Jack tells you that he
doesn't know where to get those parts but 3-fingered Mike might. He then
whispers to you that the guy in the corner has been asking questions
about a girl with a tattoo like yours . . ." etc. The player can then
respond, etc.

 

I think the Number One rule for a successful PBEM is this: Think of ways
to let the players do as much of the work as possible.

 

Shoby187

 

 

>-----Original Message-----

>From: gurpsnet-l-bounces at sjgames.com
[mailto:gurpsnet-l-bounces at sjgames.com] On Behalf Of Bryan

>Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:46 PM

>To: gurpsnet-l at sjgames.com

>Subject: [gurps] PBEM

> 

>I am in a group that plays face to face, but I wanted to run a

>play-by-email GURPS 4th Space campaign.  Having never GM'ed anything

>more than a few one-shot face to face deals, I was wondering how

>difficult it is? I've read that you might have to set deadlines for

>replies, and dice rolls can be cagey.  But I planned on using a dice

>server (http://dice.evildm.net/) to send/receive rolls.  And I'd set

>deadlines for maybe two to three days a week, or more depending on how

>quick people reply.  I also thought that meeting via IRC might be

>viable if everyone was of a mind...

> 

>I would like to try it, but I want to make sure I'm not getting in

>over my head...  Is there anything I haven't thought of yet?

> 

>Cheers,

>Bryan

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