Need some help/info on running Message Board games..

[cybernetic]

With the recent success of my band (locally) I've been somewhat unable to get out to play many rpg sessions...so I've turned to finding some alternatives online... I've already got my online dnd fix thru Neverwinter Nights...but my primary game is Mutants & Masterminds. So I was thinkng about learning to play games through Message Boards..starting here on EnWorld...and/or eventually set up a dedicated message board just for my game(s).

What I need is some advice on how to run games on a message boards. Guidelines, Advice...suggestions...etc.

Also if you have any other suggested methods of online play that may work let me know.

I'll primarily be starting up a Mutants & Masterminds campaign online.

Thanx

 

[Dirigible]

Try asking this in the Talking the Talk thread, you might get better luck.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

What I need is some advice on how to run games on a message boards. Guidelines, Advice...suggestions...etc.

Recruit players if you can instead of just inviting anyone.

Pick those who post with approximately the same frequency. If three of your PCs visit daily, and one only visits every three days, that last player will drag down the group.

Check frequently and post updates at once as the GM. The game stays alive if you are there most often with ready information.

Anticipate questions. If you have someone looking around a shady part of town, they head into a bar to ask questions, and you throw out some names, know that the player is going to ask "Have I ever heard of X?" Supply that information to the player outside the thread so that you maintain immersion for everyone.

Have your houserules posted or available to players.

Use simple tacticals where possible. Quickest (though least pretty) is an ASCII or Courier font diagram right in the thread. Plan and map for combats in advance so you can email to players. Openrpg.com has an online map program I hear, but I've never tried it.

Maintain immersion wherever possible by encouraging players not to post Out Of Character (OOC) comments in the game thread.

Take a look at the Playing the Game and Talking the Talk forums here on this site. Lots of good examples of how to do it right. (I use a private board so that I can also have private forums for each player, but this site is a great place to get started.)

 

[BluSpecs]

A friend of mine runs this site:

http://kmansadventures.proboards2.com/index.cgi

His format is a bit different that most but it may give you some good ideas.