playbymail

Play-by-mail (PBM), also known as postal play or correspondence games, is a hobby where players interact and make moves in a game by sending physical mail, or increasingly, via email or other digital means. Historically, PBM games were played through postal services, with each player sending their turn's decisions to a game master or to other players. The game master would then process these moves, determine the outcomes, and mail back updated game information.

The complexity of PBM games can vary greatly. Some are simple, involving straightforward roll-and-move mechanics, while others are highly strategic and deeply thematic, often simulating large-scale conflicts, economic simulations, or intricate role-playing scenarios. The slow pace of play, dictated by mail delivery times, is a defining characteristic, fostering a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to decision-making.

While traditional postal PBM has seen a decline due to the rise of the internet, the underlying concept has evolved into play-by-email (PBEM) and asynchronous online gaming. These modern iterations retain the turn-based, delayed-resolution nature of PBM but utilize digital communication for faster transmission of moves and game updates. Despite the shift, the core appeal of PBM and its digital descendants lies in engaging with complex game systems and interacting with other players over extended periods.