Last night in bed I had this idea so I thought I'd pitch it to you guys and see what you think.

Play By E-Mail

"So what is it?"

The idea I had was to use WWG builds for a bunch of us to play a game by email. A person is designated the DM and creates a playing field either by physically building it or using the planner to create a top-down view.

The DM then invites people to play and char sheets are send out, filled in by the players and a copy sent back. The DM then sends out the scenario and has a picture of the game board with character tokens overlayed which he provides a link to so the players can see the playing area.

The players then email ("talk to") one another what they wish to do and one player is designated spokesperson and sends the DM the instructions, the DM then acts on those instructions and send the results back to the players, who then talk to each other... and so on and so on.

"But Why?"

None of my friends has the slightest interest in table-top games, or any other games that don't involve the 'XBox' and 'Modern Warfare 2' and there are no clubs near to where I live (I don't drive, never have) so getting to and from places is a bit of a chore.

Also, I thought it would be a great idea to be able to get you guys together in a sort of "WWG Club" and see how you play as I've not played any D&D for over 20 years and would love to get back into it.

So what do you guys think?

Does it sound like an idea?

Do you think it's in any way viable?

Or do guys think I'm just talking complete and utter shash!?

Sounds like you should look into a play by post. It is much more efficient to be able to organize the material into a post format. I am not sure where others play games like this, but I would suggest you look into online-roleplaying.com

I know many that game there and have enjoyed it for years.

Yeah, that's the sort of thing but an online sort of thing. So no one is interested?

Nickydude, where are you in the UK? There are a fair few gaming groups in the Midlands at least. Have a look in your local game store maybe?

I am interested, but I need to get the other game off the ground first. I may even be interested in DMing as if I am building a world, I might as well good use out of it!

I would be interested in being a player (although it would have to be 3.5 since I don't have 4e). I do think that Talae is correct about the play by post bit thought. It would be easier to organize, etc than emailing each other. Perhaps we could get a special section of the forum here set up for play by post. I do like the idea of using the TLX planner though. And if someone made the builds, we could get like in-game shots. That would be sweet!

I might be interested in this as well, but not until after the other game gets off the ground. I don't want to spread myself too thin. I have experience running and playing in play by posts, so feel free to ask me for any advice you would like.

I would be interested, but I have limited internet access during the day. (Work is normally very busy and Kids demand lots of attention until they go to bed)

So I don't know if that would work for you all.

Every game is different. Typically, from what I have seen, play-by-posts have a requirement of updating once a day in order to allot for schedules and timezones.

Seconded what Tale said. The beauty of the PBP is the asynchronous nature of it. As long as there is a post from everyone within the specified timeframe, all is well.

That being said, this directly relates to how fast the game moves, but typically PBP games are not expected to move anything like a live session.

100% interested in playing, no problem posting daily (unless something unforeseen happens)

I can post daily, but not till the evening/late afternoon when I get home (at school during the day). I would have no problem making at least one post per day though, I check the forums pretty much everyday anyway. And I'm looking into getting a new smartphone, in which case I would be able to post from school using the student wifi network, although it might be a bit of a pain.

Don't do it during school...focus on that. Once a day or more after school would be plenty.

Once per day isn't a problem, I was just reading the inital post that the players had to all email each other and then one person sent in the move for the day.

That implied to me more often then once a day posting.

But if we go by the once a day rule, I would see no issues with me being a player.

My suggested once per day rule is for play by post games. I have no experience with email based games (but could imagine that it could be odd, but manageable). My personal preference would likely be: in person / real-time via maptool or similar / play by post / email based / not gaming. I may have left some options out but you get the idea.

I think play by post would be easier to organize than play by email. Also, it wouldn't clutter my already bursting inbox!

But more expensive.

Expensive? It would be free. There must be a communication breakdown somewhere. Play by post, meaning post actions and interactions via a thread somewhere.

Ahh.. Sorry, though you meant as in stamp an envelope.

Maybe Play by Forum (PbF) would be a clearer label.

- Zen, who would love to join in but doesn't want to grind through learning 4e right now.

Check here for formatting: Online-Roleplaying.com

Look through some of the games there (there are TONS). That isn't the only site for such a thing, but you get the idea.

I don't think we've decided on a system. I don't own 4e, and don't want to buy it, so I would (unfortunately) be out if it was a 4e game. Perhaps we could do traveller?

Also, there is no reason to limit this to one game. The trick is to get enough DMs to volunteer.

True. I will consider running traveller, but don't know if I can. I'm quite busy with school and whatnot.

Did someone say Traveller?

Yup! I'm thinking about running a play by post mongoose traveller campaign here on the WWG forums. However, there are a couple problems with that. Firstly, I'm very busy with school and Magic shows, so I have a lot of time constraints. That said, if I ran the secrets of the ancients campaign I don't think that it would be too bad. Additionally, I have no experience running a play by forum game. That said, I am thinking about it, and will get back to you folks.

I've never played traveler... I think I remember reading the rules to the game back in the 80s... But is that even the same game you all are talking about?

There is a new version of traveller by mongoose publishing, www.mongoosepublishing.com. That is what I was talking about.

Okay everyone... I think I could be convinced to run a play by post traveller game. I would be running the secrets of the ancients campaign for mongoose traveller.
Hands up those who would be interested in a play by post Traveller campaign
Trying to judge general interest here.
Post below if you are interested.

I would, but I've never heard of it before so I would literally be a brand spanking new player, who'll need a lot of help!