How to Get Into a Play-by-E-mail Game

E-mail allows people from all over the world to enjoy a variety of games, including card games, board games, parlor games, role-playing games and many others. Best of all, you can participate in play-by-e-mail (PBEM) games at your own pace or even while doing something else (like avoiding your boss).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• E-mail Accounts

1. Get a separate e-mail account for your games. This will help you organize your game files and keep them away from the really important stuff, like work mail, messages from your parents and your favorite spam.

2. Decide how much time you can spend on your game. Like any hobby, PBEM games can demand a lot of your time, and some offerings even have fixed schedules.

3. Decide how much money you can spend on your game. There are hundreds of free PBEM games available on the Internet, but commercial games range in price from a few cents to $10 or more for each game turn.

4. Pick the game that's right for you. Narrow your search for a PBEM game by deciding in advance what kinds of games are most interesting to you.

5. Search the Web for PBEM games. The best way to find a game is to visit Web sites and Internet newsgroups devoted to the hobby.

6. Sign up for a game. Once you've found a game you want to play, you'll need to register (on the Web, by e-mail or by postal mail) and take care of any entry fees.

Tips & Warnings

• Be a conscientious player. If you are forced to miss a turn or drop out of a game, notify the game moderator or other players. This will give them a chance to recruit replacement players and prevent any unnecessary interruption of the game.
• Make sure you get what you pay for. Only sign up for commercial PBEM games with established companies and services. As in any other niche of the Internet world, there are people out there who would like to take your money without giving you what they promised.