Play by Email
Entry updated 3 April 2015. Tagged: Game, Theme.
Term used to describe a game in which the players communicate by electronic means, but not in real time. Thus, all messages sent in a Play By Email game are subject to delays resembling those imposed by a physical postal system. For convenience, this encyclopedia uses the term to cover any electronic form of communication, including email and entering information on a website, whether handled manually by the player or automatically by the game software. In essence, Play By Email is identical to Play by Mail; only the details of the methods used differ. Sf examples include VGA Planets (1992) and Laser Squad Nemesis (2002) (see Laser Squad). [NT]
see also: Postal Worlds.
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