02-24-2011, 09:50 PM
Hm. Interesting thoughts. I agree with you Grim, the loss of "captains" didn't cause the decline we have seen, at least not on its own.
Another major factor contributing to the decline, and IMHO the greatest threat, is the lack of new blood entering the scene. As you mentioned it has lost many publications and players, but with no one to replace them. It is unreasonable to expect any gaming "scene", let alone PBM, to consist of the same people today as it did two or one decades ago.
In many ways this is a catch-22 for PBM. New players cannot be attracted without a substantial and attractive showing/demonstration of a PBM game, yet such a game cannot be achieved without new players.
Another major factor contributing to the decline, and IMHO the greatest threat, is the lack of new blood entering the scene. As you mentioned it has lost many publications and players, but with no one to replace them. It is unreasonable to expect any gaming "scene", let alone PBM, to consist of the same people today as it did two or one decades ago.
In many ways this is a catch-22 for PBM. New players cannot be attracted without a substantial and attractive showing/demonstration of a PBM game, yet such a game cannot be achieved without new players.