Plays by mail football games have been going since the 1970’s and it is still very popular today. But in today’s modern world it has to compete with Play by email and Online games like www.soccermanager.com. But despite this competition play by mail football game are still very popular.
PBM stands for ‘Play by mail’. This is the common abbreviation which players of play by mail use. But with the introduction of the internet in the 1990s play by mail also refers to electronic mail. Play by mail is similar to a PC football management game but you interact with other managers instead of an AI. For example if you wanted to buy Wayne Rooney you would contact the manger who owns him and make him an offer. The other play by mail football manager might decide Rooney is not for sale or his asking price might be too high!
Commercial computer football games are expensive to purchase compared to playing play by mail football games. Commercial gaming does not have the same competitiveness compared to play by mail football games. In play by mail football games you are competing against real-life opponents. Humans are competitive in nature and the chance of winning victory in play by mail football games over friends, work colleagues and family is very rewarding.
Generally you mail or email you turn sheet to a moderator with your starting XI, transfers and tactics. The moderator for the play by mail football game can either be human or computer. The play by mail turn is then mailed back to you within a set time period.
With online gaming you get to compete across the web in a massive online multiplayer simulation. Therefore it is similar to play by mail gaming. A play by mail football game and an online football game are controlled by a moderator. They both give you the chance to compete against real-life managers.
The advantage of online gaming is the turn around in time. Play by mail football games are hindered by the postal system which can by unreliable. Online games are paper free and as long as you have a PC are easily accessible. A good example of an online soccer manager game is www.soccermanager.com.
PBM football games give the people who do not have the chance to manage a football club in real-life the opportunity to lead their team to glory. Instead of cheering on your favourite team each week, imagine the fun in taking control of a club from around the world, picking the starting XI, choosing the match tactics, calling the shots in the transfer market, winning championships and cups. You call all the shots.