Well as I see it GSI's version of MEPBM was based on several ideas and
limited not only in build but design, due to what technologies were
available.
Back when the game was created, people did not have open access to Web sites
for full information on encounters and strategies. We also didn't have email
and message groups to share turns and ideas in an instant, hence Middle
Earth Play By Mail. Today the game would be called MEPBE.
I remember when I had to call in and fax my turns to get them in on time, no
instant email confirmation wallah I am done.
The world has changed, but the game hasn't. Everything around the game has
changed, yet the game essentially had remained the same since its inception.
Since the game has not evolved to a new level, the game has become
"constrained". I find only 4th Age to have some "horizonless" aspects.
GSI never intended for everyone to know how to deal with every encounter,
nor did they intend for every Dark Servant to successfully recruit dragons
by turn 6. Yet know everyone can expect this as part of normal flow of
events, which leaves us to "chess" like moves and decisions.
Due to all the information on the net, everyone knows the starting armies
and starting popcenters of every nation, also the name and starting artifact
of all characters. Everyone knows Heavy is the only way to recruit. Armor is
a luxury; weapons are near pointless (till late game when your economy is
good), and war machines are generally not worth the trouble. Agents with
stealth rule the game, killing armies, sabotaging bridges and keeps. Your
only defense is to tie up a character to watch the offending agent (since
you probably know his name to be Ji Indur or Din Ohtar) and hope he comes
into a hex with one of your emissaries or agents.
Bleh I am ranting...
Anyways we all know the problems with the game. I currently play the game
because it is more fun than chess, yet I feel I am only playing a Middle
Earth version of chess, with dice.
William Harvey
willh@jelloshots.net