+- PlayByMail Forums (https://forums.playbymail.dev)
+-- Forum: Suspense & Decision (https://forums.playbymail.dev/forumdisplay.php?fid=37)
+--- Forum: Editorials (https://forums.playbymail.dev/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Thread: PBM: The Legacy of the Code of Play By Mail (/showthread.php?tid=146)
PBM: The Legacy of the Code of Play By Mail - GrimFinger - 04-06-2011
From all walks of life, they came, entering in to the Great Cave of the Play By Mail Clan. Once there, they dug and they dug, unearthing a wealth of programming code that had heretofore been buried deep within the furthermost recesses of their minds.
Wealth began to flow like rivers, back in the day, as each of these programmers and would-be programmers waged ceaseless competition with one another. Each new line of code upped the ante, and PBM games that would eventually become things of gaming legend were erected where previously there was but barren opportunity.
They spoke the tongues of many programming languages. They were priests of a higher programming order, each fervently loyal to their programming language of choice.
These were the Avowed. These were the Keepers of the Holy Secrets of the Code. In those days, their power and influence was unsurpassed. They created entire worlds, entire galaxies, entire universes. They knew the key to PBM life.
Whatever became of them? Whatever became of the Code? Where are their bizarre religions of programming, now? Where are the games that their Code gave life to?
Such are mysteries common to the PBM initiated.
All these many years later, all that remains are bits and pieces, mere specks and morsels, of an extravaganza of PBM gaming.
Such a pity that almost all of it was lost for all eternity. Such carelessness. Such lack of planning. Such lack of vision.
But, what of their descendants? What of the Sons and Daughters of the Code? Where is their Lore? What is their future?
Few are the repositories of the Code that are left. Like great citadels, there they stand upon plains and plateaus both desolate and barren of life.
Oh, rest assured, there have been those who have sought to restore PBM games of old to a state of renewed glory. But, in time, when others of PBM gaming's posterity look back, will they, too, struggle in vain for the Code?
New PBM games are locked away in the back of new minds. Yet, what they lack is the Code. The exact location of the Great Cave of the Play By Mail Clan is known, no more. It remains but a distant and fleeting memory.
Legend has it that, if that Great Cave is found once more, then the waters of play by mail shall flow, once again.
The PBM Legacy - What shall history record as your role in preserving the seeds of PBM's greatness?
RE: PBM: The Legacy of the Code of Play By Mail - Ramblurr - 04-06-2011
Haha. This is a nice romanticization. If only programming a great PBM was as easy as finding The Great Cave.
I also am fairly confident than any code resurrected from the pre 1995 era would likely be totally useless.
RE: PBM: The Legacy of the Code of Play By Mail - JonO - 04-07-2011
(04-06-2011, 11:55 PM)Ramblurr Wrote: Haha. This is a nice romanticization. If only programming a great PBM was as easy as finding The Great Cave.
Obviously we haven't learned the right spells, yet. Throw the dice again.
RE: PBM: The Legacy of the Code of Play By Mail - Ramblurr - 04-07-2011
In a few weeks I'll be leveling up! Can't wait to see what my next set of spells will be.