The PBM name

[Davin]

I think the term PBM is still valid and useful to a reasonable extent, but for those looking to get away from the "mail" part of the equation, what does anyone think about Play-by-Turn?

[BobMcLain]

I think the term PBM is still valid and useful to a reasonable extent, but for those looking to get away from the "mail" part of the equation, what does anyone think about Play-by-Turn?

It also describes hopscotch, which you don't play by mail, so not very useful - and entirely useless in encapsulating the appeal of the "industry" to newcomers, of which, admittedly, there are few. Even though the term "play by mail" is like dragging your 8-track player to an iTunes party, it's here to stay.

[Davin]

It also describes hopscotch, which you don't play by mail, so not very useful - and entirely useless in encapsulating the appeal of the "industry" to newcomers, of which, admittedly, there are few. Even though the term "play by mail" is like dragging your 8-track player to an iTunes party, it's here to stay.

Oh, I don't think that we're getting away from the PBM term anytime in the foreseeable future, and I don't see a tremendous need to, but I do acknowledge that some younger people fear the term "mail" and run away before they have a chance to be newcomers and find out what it's about.

I just thought I'd chime in with a random thought to contribute to those on that side of the discussion.  After all, the term "turn" isn't meaningless when there's hardly a modern-day computer game out there with "turns", and that's nearly all the gaming most of these people play.

[Greybeard]

I've just posted in my Drakensang thread, how the game is not turn based. Its an environment. Has its disadvantages but also its advantages.