BAG (OF MAIL)
Dear Retro Gamer,
I think an interesting idea for an article in your magazine would be the history of play-by-mail games. It might seem like an odd topic for a videogame magazine, but not really when you consider that these games are run on computers and are still being played today by a devoted following. They are closer to videogames than board games. likewise, if it wasn’t for 1976’s Starweb, who knows if there would have been videogames like Master Of Orion.
Without a doubt, play-by-mail games were almost like online gaming before the internet in how they provided a medium for players from all around the world to play and communicate with one another. It’s truly mind-blowing that some of the earliest play by mail games had upwards of 30 players (who even engaged in hidden movements) during the era of Pong.
I think that the industry founder, rick loomis from flying Buffalo inc, deserves more credit in playing a vital part in shaping the social and gaming dynamics of the last few decades. His name should be in the same elite category of computer pioneers like that of Gates, Jobs, Bushnell and Zuckerberg. did you know that rick loomis was most likely the first person to have bought a computer for the sole purpose of playing games? That in itself is worth exploring.
Scott Sochocki
Thanks for the letter, Scott – and for those of you wondering, it did indeed come in by post rather than via email. The history of play-by-mail games is certainly an interesting idea for a feature. It does fall a bit outside the realm of videogames, into computerassisted gaming, but we’re not averse to it. Tell us, readers: does a look at the history of play-by-mail games tickle your fancy?