03-18-2011, 02:55 PM
Money is an interesting thing when it comes to gaming. I spent a fair amount of money on PBM, usually was in 2 or 3 games of Starweb, 1 or 2 Illuminati, and a couple other random games at any time. Throw in long distance charges, and it added up. Flew out to Arizona for Flying Buffalo conventions for several years. PBM was a blast. I got as big a thrill getting that game turn in the mail as i did opening it and finding out my carefully conceived plan worked (mostly).
I spent a lot of time over the last year playing an online "free" game, enjoyed it, tried a couple others, but found out a couple of common problems - people willing to pay for extras dominated, and the amount of time required to be competitive (and I am by nature) was very high.
I can't bring myself to pay for a subscription game like Eve yet - not sure why. Part of the reason, I think, is I think of the owners as businesses rather than gamers. Corporations rather than people.
As a moderator, money was a factor, but more of a justification. Running Flying Dutchman Games let me buy new computers, a laser printer (over $2,000 - times change), go to conventions, and paid for my gaming habit. I think in my best year I made around $10,000. The two years I ran PBMCon, I lost money both years but had so much fun it was easily worth the time and money. I had a guy from England (I think he was part of Madhouse games) show up (in Chicago), and I don't know who was more surprised - me because he came so far, or him because I figured anyone who came that far for PBM should get into the convention and play everything for free.
Enough rambling for now. Have fun everyone
I spent a lot of time over the last year playing an online "free" game, enjoyed it, tried a couple others, but found out a couple of common problems - people willing to pay for extras dominated, and the amount of time required to be competitive (and I am by nature) was very high.
I can't bring myself to pay for a subscription game like Eve yet - not sure why. Part of the reason, I think, is I think of the owners as businesses rather than gamers. Corporations rather than people.
As a moderator, money was a factor, but more of a justification. Running Flying Dutchman Games let me buy new computers, a laser printer (over $2,000 - times change), go to conventions, and paid for my gaming habit. I think in my best year I made around $10,000. The two years I ran PBMCon, I lost money both years but had so much fun it was easily worth the time and money. I had a guy from England (I think he was part of Madhouse games) show up (in Chicago), and I don't know who was more surprised - me because he came so far, or him because I figured anyone who came that far for PBM should get into the convention and play everything for free.
Enough rambling for now. Have fun everyone