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Message Board Role-playing GameA variation on the traditional role-playing game is the message board role-playing game, in which a story is played out online using message board threads and responses. It is popularly known as play-by-post gaming and sometimes interactive fiction. The first message posted onto a thread of that nature is usually one person laying down the scenario, starting a story about their character, and inviting others. If successful, the thread then becomes an ongoing story in which players periodically advance the plot by reading the latest reply, and typing a short paragraph or two about what their character does and how the environment changes in response. These replies are often open-ended so that other players can continue. Depending on the rules set down by the Message Board Administrator, roleplaying and story can be pushed forward through moderation by a Game Master, by mutual agreement between players, or by 'free-form' writing which normally erupts in flaming and disagreements between players. Role-playing of this type does not rely on statistics or visible die, and this can sometimes render combat situations difficult for players used to such props. Any combat is usually written in entirety by one or two players; and in some systems will be allowed to include the actions of another player in their post. Commonly this practise is considered cheating in more established games. Many message board based games establish a hierarchy of moderators (also known commonly as Dungeon Masters or Game Masters) to manage plot flow and continuity. To keep story threads organised the message board is often organised into forums based on geographical location within the game setting.
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