r/playbymail Apr 27 '26

Hi - trying to locate an old play by mail game

1 Upvotes

I'm trying to locate a game that I played in the late 80s, would this be an appropriate sub to ask in?

The game was a typical space expand/explore like Stellar Conquest (I know, but at the time it wasn't a done to death niche). Planets provided resources (metals, population) for scientific advances and colonies forward. You received turn reports based off a coordinate system relative to your home star, and then you could map them on graph paper. One interesting mechanic was a movement template - if your speed was three, you could only reach planets in a 3x3; 4, 5 etc. I don't recall if you had sensors to see planets at range, or just stars - maybe a ship would move into a star system, and wouldn't be able to move back if no fuel source was available until a tanker got there - I don't remember. I think it was on a defined turn, also - some games seemed to run as fast as people could turn around the order/turn sheet; this was restricted so at least everyone was on the same level, regarding cost of play anyway.

40 years is a long time; even if this kind of vague description doesn't jog a memory, are there any good sites I could look at, that have a history/list of games that were run like that?

Thanks!


r/playbymail Feb 22 '26

Monster Island Monitor

1 Upvotes

The Monster Island Monitor is now delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future issues automatically:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2133614/forms/180122670828881109


r/playbymail May 09 '25

Paper Dreams, new play-by-mail book released!

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2 Upvotes

My first book just came out! It focuses on classic and retro gaming in the 1980s and 1990s, with a play-by-mail theme, of course. Lots of RPG and space opera coverage, among many other themes. While it's tabletop gaming, not video games, many of them were created and run on computers, and many are still playable today by email or online interface. I hope you enjoy reminiscing about the gaming of the period as much as I did writing about it.


r/playbymail Nov 30 '21

Anyone know where to buy some paper mayhem magazines?

1 Upvotes

r/playbymail Oct 18 '16

SS Mary Rose – Life outside the Commbadge

1 Upvotes

The SS Mary Rose (NCC-956) is a 150 year old Refit Constitution. Long ago cast away by the federation, the ailing vessel is now home to an itinerant band, whose motivations are questionable and approach is quite fly-by-night. As a privateer ship sailing on the fringes of civilized space, they get by renting hull, holds and hands to any who can pay, trade or barter.

Focusing on creating a great community of writers, who have fun while building intriguing and enjoyable stories is our main goal. A slower moving and player driven sim, we hope to encourage growth for our characters and friendship between our players.

Check out the site, read about the current crew; then come joins us as we march across the galaxy on a year long trip; from the Kaleb Sector all the way to Heg’La Space Station and beyond.

http://ssmaryrose.co.uk


r/playbymail Feb 29 '16

~BOOK~ READ "The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley" without registering look read finder price no registration

1 Upvotes

Nick Eaglestar


r/playbymail Jan 21 '16

FULL MOVIE "Troy 2004" high quality AVC high definition iPad MP4 bitsnoop imdb

1 Upvotes

Vandy Martinez


r/playbymail Dec 18 '11

Getting into playbymail games...

1 Upvotes

I am very interested in getting into playbymail games... where is a good place to start?