Ancient China PBM Game?

[Greybeard]

In the early days of PBM I joined a game at startup and was allotted a large state in Southern China. Two neighbouring states were much smaller so I began by conquering them. But I then felt remorse and declared the ruler "The Renunciate", retaining a modest cavalry army of personal devotees, I believe.

I don't know what happened or how long the game lasted but I wonder if this sparse description rings any bells among the older gamers? I don't remember anything more about this game, neither GM nor the game's name. I would greatly appreciate any help in locating info on this.

[BobMcLain]

In the early days of PBM I joined a game at startup and was allotted a large state in Southern China. Two neighbouring states were much smaller so I began by conquering them. But I then felt remorse and declared the ruler "The Renunciate", retaining a modest cavalry army of personal devotees, I believe.

I don't know what happened or how long the game lasted but I wonder if this sparse description rings any bells among the older gamers? I don't remember anything more about this game, neither GM nor the game's name. I would greatly appreciate any help in locating info on this.

Might it have been a short-lived game moderated by Bill Pasparialis set not in China but in Japan? I don't recall the title (maybe "Samurai Warlords"?), but I know that I've got the rulebook and can dig it out if you think that's the game you remember.

If by "early days of PBM" you mean the late 1970s or the 1980s, then it wasn't the Pasparialis game, which was launched in the 1990s.

Two suggestions: look in the classifieds of old issues of Flying Buffalo Quarterly and look through old issues of Nuts & Bolts of PBM.

[Greybeard]

It was definitely China, and it was late 70's early 80's. I will check out Flying Buffalo. I don't know Nuts and Bolts of PBM, but will do an internet search. If I find it in either of the two suggestions I will post here. Thanks for those very helpful leads!

[BobMcLain]

It was definitely China, and it was late 70's early 80's. I will check out Flying Buffalo. I don't know Nuts and Bolts of PBM, but will do an internet search. If I find it in either of the two suggestions I will post here. Thanks for those very helpful leads!

I'm pretty sure you'll have no luck finding "Nuts and Bolts of PBM" anywhere on-line. It was the first play-by-mail magazine, predating both Nicky Palmer's Flagship and my PBM/Gaming Universal by several months, if not longer. The late Rich Buda was both publisher and editor. Rich was a really nice, funny guy who lived in Chicago for most of his life and then retired to Florida in the 1990s. He played Starweb, primarily.

I bought Rich out in 1984, mostly for his subscriber list and his content archives. I still have many of Rich's issues, though not a complete set. If I get the chance, I'll look through them for any hint of your Chinese game. I've never heard of such a game, and I'm curious about it myself.

-- Bob

[Rick Buda]

I'm pretty sure you'll have no luck finding "Nuts and Bolts of PBM" anywhere on-line. It was the first play-by-mail magazine, predating both Nicky Palmer's Flagship and my PBM/Gaming Universal by several months, if not longer. The late Rich Buda was both publisher and editor. Rich was a really nice, funny guy who lived in Chicago for most of his life and then retired to Florida in the 1990s. He played Starweb, primarily.

I bought Rich out in 1984, mostly for his subscriber list and his content archives. I still have many of Rich's issues, though not a complete set. If I get the chance, I'll look through them for any hint of your Chinese game. I've never heard of such a game, and I'm curious about it myself.

-- Bob

Just thought I'd check in, Bob. Did not retire, still in Chicagoland. Still waiting for the buy-out that never really happened....

[GrimFinger]

Welcome, Rick Buda!