Comments on: Play-By-Mail: Play Fun Games via Email Casually

By: Free Browser Based MMORPG

Free Browser Based MMORPG — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:08:09 +0000

Among the great number of MMORPG I prefer those with intuitive navigation, a comprehensive user interface, and a unique graphical player guide!!!

By: DennisG

DennisG — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:29:18 +0000

There are lots of places to play Risk online, with reviews of most of them here, http://www.PlayRiskOnline.net however WarFish.net is the only one I would say is close to play-by-mail.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:44 +0000

Another FREE MMORPG:
Dungeons & Dragons Online Unlimited
http://www.ddo.com/

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:54:03 +0000

Wish I only had 10 – 15 ships sometimes. The game is wonderful but despite the continual improvements it can still be a chore to update a lot of ships.

That said I’ve yet to come across a game with even close to as much depth and scope of action.

None of the ‘modern’ 3D MMOPRGs are even close and certainly not worth a third of the cost to play. It’s not for everyone but quite cheap compared to you average Â£30 to Â£40 game lasting around 6 to 8 hours, and free if you don’t run starbases (and you don’t need to).

It is a very long term game and one of the few I have played where casual players can match ‘hardcore’ players, I would recommend anyone to give it a try.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0000

Well they are nowhere near as good/interesting as I imagine they could be. Social networking aspects, Web 2.0, graphics, etc. It doesn’t have to be 3D.

I admit that, in general, 3D MMORPGs could be more role-play oriented – but they’re trying.

By: Clay

Clay — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:11:19 +0000

Ben,
It appears that your knowledge has failed at modernisation. Phoenix is being updated constantly and based on input from the players.

The reason they are still in business is because they can offer something the 3D MMORPG’s can not – an evolving story, open-ended gaming and actual RP.

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:08:02 +0000

Thanks everyone for the additional resources and comments!

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:38:51 +0000

If you like Play-By-Mail (or Email) games

Have a look at

http://www.madcentral.com

Dungeonworld is a fantasy game (commerccial and free)
Brokenlands is a free-to-play version.

Madhouse also do 2 Sci-Fi games called

Twilight Earth (set after civilization has fallen) &
Destiny 2

Both have free to play options.

I’ve been playing Madhouse games for donkeys years.

KJC Games currently run what I consider the best Play by eMail game ever written …

Monster Island http://www.kjcgames.com/mi/mi.htm

50 pence a turn is pretty cheap!

The only reason I’m not playing that currently is I am overcommited to Phoenix and don’t the cash spare.

And if you like some pretty pictures then there is :

http://www.runescape.com/

Free and Paid for versions exist side by side!

Enjoy.

Doug

ps … great article!

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:56:30 +0000

Phoenix has been updated and medernised totally since it’s play by mail days as Beyond the Stellar Empire. Much of the game is now accessible via the Nexus website at http://www.kjcgames.co.uk/phoenix/nexus/.

It’s now quite possible to play the game for free and run a fleet of 10 or 15 ships.

Whilst the game is still text based I believe that it beats MMORPGs because of the level of player interaction, the fact that there is a GM and that you can issue Special Actions to try things that don’t fit in with the current orders in the game (for instance, trying to get a planet’s population addicted to a drug you can supply!)

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:21:28 +0000

Here are some modern free online games:

MMORPG
http://www.runesofmagic.com
http://www.puzzlepirates.com

FPS
http://battlefield-heroes.com
http://www.quakelive.com