PBEM Hiatus

[Michael]

Hey all,

Ok, this is the fourth version of this e-mail. The previous three kept turning into totally non-productive rants that got more than a little accusatory in needless and pointless ways. I think the trick is to keep things short. So here goes.

The PBEM game is on hiatus as of the start of Turn 16.

There are a lot of reasons, but mainly was because this game, like most of the games I try and run, is supposed to be about fun. And recently, it has been my impression that while there still is fun for many people, the fun is outweighed by non-fun.

The attempts to fix it have not met with success, and in many ways led to more non-fun that hastened this decision. I thought that perhaps one of the problems is when there are several non-fun instances in close succession it causes them to build up and achieve a power greater than the sum of their parts. So I hoped a hiatus may help that. I was originally thinking of a month.

But I have been aware for some time that the moment I decided to declare a hiatus, as I am now, that at several players would never return. At least the two who are telling me they are quitting in a few turns would not, and probably another one or two as well. Hence, the Indefinite Hiatus status. Missing 3-4 players ends the game. I don’t think we’ll return, but I don’t want to make an absolute statement, because you just never know.

I have both regret and relief in this decision, but I knew it was the right one when I realized I felt more relief than regret.

I will still post the results of Mori, return the Turn 16 sheets, as well as the opening fiction to Turn 16. I owe it to you who have invested just as much as I have in this to get these things out, and it’ll leave us an end of season cliffhanger kinda thing.

On the whole, I still had a lot of fun doing this. I think it was a blast during its heyday, starting around the Test of the Emerald Champion and right up to Wamepi’s assassination. The plotting and policing blurred the line between game, roleplaying, and real life in interesting and fun ways, even if it sometimes caused problems. I invite you to look back over the old threads to see the collaborate fiction we built, and they don’t even show the majority of it, which went on over some incredible e-mail chains. I may take the time to finally try and compile this into some sort of narrative structure, mostly just by listing stuff chronologically, to give all the players an idea of what the others were doing, since many of missed some of the finest exchanges.

We went 16 turns, which is 15 turns more than any previous incarnation of this. Almost a year and a half of game time, in almost 8 months of real time. The first e-mail in my PBEM folder is dated August 13th, 2004. I sent this to Terry:

“I know that you are probably busy, but if you are interested in getting a gaming fix, I’m starting a Play-by-email (or forum) game. It’s sort of like a big game of Risk or Axis and Allies, where you control a Clan in a magical feudal oriental land, maneuvering personalities and big armies in an effort to gain glory and become emperor. There is a chance for some roleplaying, little fiction bits, managing troops, resources, battle plans, alliances, spies, etc. I can send you the basic rule sheet if you want to take a look see. Most of the bookkeeping is done on an Excel sheet, and then players e-mail threats, treaties, alliances, etc. A chance to show off your mad tactical skillz. Interested?”

To which he responded:

“I am very interested...send me the rule sheet! -T.”

Over 8,000 emails and numerous forum posts later, I think we made some good changes throughout to the ruleset. Should anyone be crazy enough to try this again, they might have an easier time.

Anyway, I’m cross-posting this to the Forum, where I ask that you respond to it there. I’d hate to have the final e-mail of the game result in a lot flames/needless junk into mailboxes one last time.
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I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard

[Michael]

See? Even as I dump this here, Joel prompts and Scotty continues more of his really excellent narrative concerning the fractious fate of the Scorpion Clan. Goddamn people, you do know how to keep things interesting!
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I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard

[Jer]

Well, I can't say that I'm looking forward to seeing it end like this. Even if I happened to be crushed by the Scorpion, I would still rather have that happen then have the game be put on hold. Granted, there were times when I was rather upset at how things turned out, but I can't really say that was a problem with the rules as much it was a problem with how power was being gained. I'm sure it had to do with my slightly competitive nature as well.

I now have nothing exciting at all to look forward to during my work day. The fiction Michael wrote for the game we were engaging in was excellent. I looked forward to each chapter, each battle, each duel, even the behind the scene stories that we really didn't know what was going on where, or with who. Checking the forum and my email inbox hoping to see a new post or message was always a top priority during my work day. This is the first game that I've been in were Michael was the GM, and story wise it was awesome. I can't agree with all the rules changes, plot points, and actions that were allowed, but I can say there was never a dull moment.

If this should continue or be started over, I will definitely be on the list to continue. If a new version is to start I suggest all involved open a forum section and we hammer out the rules before play begins.

Michael, I thank you very much for the excellent story that has been written so far. I hope to see it continue.

Jer
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This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[PG]

It was a good game and one that I enjoyed to play at times and hated to play at times and I played it less than most. Storywise it was excellent. Participation was excellent. Play balance, poor. Actually it was all the constant rules changing and surprise rulings that soured me on the game. I don't particularly like shifting rules after a game has started and this one had alot of them. I can always tolerate some rules changes but constant rules changes will always make me unhappy. That really is my only complaint, otherwise it was all good. Sure being pissed at my friends isn't something I normally like to feel but it was usually all in friendly competitive spirit.

If the game resumed I'd likely see it through to the end. If the game was to completely restart all over I'd probably pass. If a new game was picked I'd likely participate. There's got to be other messageboard and e-mail friendly games out there that'll work for this crew.

[Dr. Spank]

Actually Michael I do not know how to keep things interesting. I just aim the thwart you, and interest insues!

[Jer]

I think you aim to cause trouble, and interest ensues, but so does anger, aggression and then you start to work WITH Michael, and then all hell breaks loose.

Jer
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This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[Jer]

I think you aim to cause trouble, and interest ensues, but so does anger, aggression and then you start to work WITH Michael, and then all hell breaks loose.

Jer
_________________
This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[Michael]

Hmm. Echo in here....here....here
_________________
I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard

[Jer]

Not sure how that happened.

Jer
_________________
This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[Dr. Spank]

I'm willing to chaulk it up to Michael using his malevolent admin rights to thwart my plans at JUSTICE! See i told you he and I were on oposite sides.