GETTING STARTED…

 

How do I play my favorite Tabletop Game (TTG) by e-mail?
  1. In order to play any TTG by e-mail you must have the following programs/interfaces:
  1. A reliable ISP (Modem/Cable/DSL/T1/etc.)
  2. E-mail account that you can access "routinely".
  3. A MS Windows accessory called MS Paint. MS Paint allows you to edit the color and size of objects, pixel by pixel, in a bitmap format. The bitmap is going to be the interface for the actual battle where you will move, shoot, and interact with your battleground environment.
  4. Win-Zip. Win-Zip is necessary for compressing and neatly packaging your updated maps to your opponent. Many e-mail servers cannot receive files greater than 1 MEG in size and even then it takes a long time to transfer a file that size for 56K modems. Compressing the 1 MEG bmp file with Win-Zip makes the average map file around 25-30k in size, which is much more manageable.
  5. Instant Messenger. Having an IM is helpful but not absolutely necessary. Many messengers allow the sending of files and instant communication, which makes your battles flow much faster. I, myself, prefer playing this way. An added bonus is that you can roll your own dice instead of relying on your opponent.
  1. Additional materials that you will need are:
  1. The rules for the system that you wish to play.
  2. Dice for the same system (or any optional device you have that can roll dice for you).
  3. A little spare time.
  4. A little imagination.
  5. Most importantly… an opponent!

What can this Web-Site do to help me on my way?
  1. The PBM Chronopia Web-Site is here to help facilitate your adventure into the exciting realm of TTG’s via e-mail.
  2. This site offers numerous downloads, guides, links and a forum that can get you up and running in no time:
  1. Download maps and their respective rules which of course can be edited and adapted to fit your own personal taste or to fit your current game system.
  2. Guides that show you how to measure distances, use template weapons, create icons and models for your army, and even display game effects on affected units.
  3. Links to other resources for your gaming system (official and unofficial) and even a Secure Dice Roller that mails your rolls to your opponent.
  4. You can also submit ideas, articles and maps to this Web-Site for others to enjoy.

I am not very artistic or creative, how can I make maps and icons?
  1. You don’t have to be a Rembrandt or Monet to make maps and icons in MS Paint. All it takes is a little practice and patience.
  2. You can even download and use the maps some of our veteran players have contributed to the site. If you don’t like any of those maps, you can cut and paste portions that you do like and patchwork your own map together.
  3. The icons can be as simple as a colored circle, or as complex as a sword and pistol-wielding soldier with a flowing cape. It is up to you how much effort you put into it.

I have downloaded all the guides I need and a map to play on. My opponent and I are ready. Why do I have to use MS Paint to play my TTG?
  1. MS Paint is perfect for this endeavor because when your pointer is on the map it gives you x and y coordinates. This is perfect for measuring distances between models and also for movement around the battlefield.
  2. The templates that you downloaded can be copied and pasted over the map to show weapon range-bands, explosions, flamer-throwers, and the effects of other dynamic weapons. This mechanic cannot be duplicated in any other computer application without some serious programming involved.
  3. Because MS Paint uses pixels it is easy to adapt a scale for distance. The optimum scale that many of the veteran players use is simple: 10 pixels = 1 inch. If you drawn a line between your model and the enemy that he is firing upon it will tell you the distance of that line. If the enemy is 311 pixels away from your model, then he is 31.1 inches away.

My opponent and I have made our icons, settled on a map, and are ready to play. What do we do now?
  1. You will first have to consult the current rules of your gaming system as far as what is a legal setup.
  2. Once you and your opponent have properly set up your armies, the game begins.
  3. After your turn is over, you save the map to your hard drive and then use the Win-Zip utility to "zip" the file and then mail it to your opponent. Please also mail the zipped map to the website so that others may watch and learn.
  4. Attaching a text file detailing the actions and dice rolls of your unit(s) activated that turn is a good idea. It makes it easy for your opponent to see the actual rolls and know what transpired.
  5. You both take turns following the same process until someone wins!

How do I know my opponent is being honest with his rolls?
  1. You don’t. If you trust your opponent and find him/her an honest person then you have nothing to worry about.
  2. You can only assume your opponent is playing fairly. If your opponent IS cheating, where is the fun in that?
  3. The Secure Dice Roller (SDR) is your key to ensure fairness. It was created to allow you to roll many dice in confidence that they rolls are random and fair. An email is sent to your opponent before you even know the results. Once the mail is sent, a new window opens on the web-site and shows you the rolls. The only drawback to the SDR is that with a larger number of die rolls your emails will be plentiful. You receive and send 1 email per die roll or set of die rolls that you prompt the server to perform.
  4. The bottom line is this: if you suspect your opponent is cheating then suggest using the SDR. Tell him/her that you don’t trust yourself! This way, no fingers are pointed and you feel better about the game at hand.

It takes a long time to wait for my opponent to make his armor rolls and reactions to my shooting and movement. Is there a way around this?
  1. Yes. The best way to speed up the activation’s/turns is to perform ALL of the rolls instigated by your activation. It is much faster to roll armor rolls and toughness checks, etc. for your opponent and just as fair as if he were to roll them.
  2. If your opponent insists on making his own rolls then you have the option of playing your TTG over an "instant messaging service". For example, Yahoo’s Instant Messenger, ICQ, and others would work perfectly for this situation. As a matter of fact, playing your game with these kinds of services makes for a faster paced and more exciting "real-time" battle. However, sometimes you just don’t have the time. Many of the veteran players use a combination of email and an instant messenger. They schedule convenient times for both of them to meet for an hour or two to get some quality game-time accomplished.

What else can I do to really enjoy this PBEM experience?
  1. Start a tournament with several of your friends.
  2. Post your battle results here on this web-site. A well-written battle report is always fun to read.
  3. Participate in discussions on the PBEM forum with people who have similar game interests.
  4. You know that really cool army or model that you always wanted to try but couldn’t afford? Well guess what… it’s just a few pixel clicks away from being ready to battle for you!
  5. Tired of playing the same friends? Post a challenge on the forum and find an opponent in a foreign country! Your options are limitless!

 

FINAL NOTE:

Whatever you do, have fun and play fair. That’s what we’re all here for anyway right?



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