|
The
Temple of Mars
Translations Are Available (Click
on a FLag)
|
Welcome to the Play By Email
(PBeM) Emporium
The
Emporium is a free service for the board gamer who either doesn't have a lot of time to
play face to face or who would like to add a new dimension to gaming.
So,
what is PBeMing, anyway?
Ask somebody what PBeM means and you'll likely
get 4 or 5 answers... "It's a computer game that sends turns back and forth, like
Steel Panthers (SSI)", or "It's a web-based form of playing a
multiplayer conflict game", or "It's how we send our Diplomacy (AH/Hasbro)
moves back and forth"... possibly there are a few more. PBeM, as I (me,
the webmaster of this site) sees it, is a form of playing a conflict simulation
game, primarily but not necessarily originally in board game format, using certain
utilities that simulate the gaming experience. These utilities are usually Aide
De Camp I and II, Cyberboard, Electronic Cardboard,
Strategic Map Simulator, VMAP and some others.
Even though I own most if not all of these tools, the casual observer might complain that
I develop stuff in Cyberboard predominantly. Guilty as charged. This is
because I'm comfortable with it, and does not reflect a product recommendation one way or
the other. Hey, I'm lazy, okay?
Because
there are a few excellent sites supporting VMAP, Cyberboard, and Aide De Camp (among
others), I won't replicate their work here by hosting their files twice, except in certain
rare cases, like them asking me too.
If
you are unsure of how to proceed, click on the Basics link above
in the menu bar. Basics is a list of what you will need to get started in PBeM Style
gaming.
The
Emporium will attempt provide modules for PBeM gaming, for no fee or commercial
consideration. I get an amazing amount of offers to links this site to some
"click-thru" service where I'll "rake in the bucks" from all the
people who come here. All those promises of quick money are tempting, of course, but
I refuse to do this, as it will jeapordize my integrity foremost, and secondly might
be defined as making a profit from somebody else's intellectual
property. This service is provided as a contribution to the hobby.
The Emporium will also try to maintain resources for module developers, so that their job
becomes easier. This site attempts to achieve a lot of objectives, so
please don't be disappointed if your particular one isn't addressed in a timely fashion.
This is a one man band operation, executed in that vanishingly small sliver of time I call
"Spare." I'll get to everything eventually.
Principle* PBeM Construction/Play Utilities Available:
Color
Key: Light Navy = Commercial Product. Light Blue
= Shareware Fee charged.
Light Green = Freeware Product. Light Grey =
Unknown.
The Following PBeM
Utility is no longer supported, but will remain on this site for the near future, along
with downloadable source code.
* These products have all had major updates/patches in
the last year, indicating they are still supported-- hence their inclusion in this list.
What??
You haven't had enough? Then surf on over to Yankee Air Pirates!
|
