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December 20, 2006
  • You know those really nice, full color maps used in the FOG games? The ones that have counters with pop-up information and links to SSDs and what-not? Well, the program for generating those maps is now available for general use. More details, and the program itself, can be found in the Tools section. Look for Map Maker.

November 15, 2006
  • Federation Commander PBEM: A PBEM system has been developed for Federation Commander. This system is based (rather heavily) on the SFB PBEM system. This was due largely to the fact that the SFB PBEM rules work so well. It should also make it fairly easy for anyone used to the SFB system to transition to the Federation Commander system.
  • The SFB PBEM rules have been moved from the SFA site to the PBEM site. These rules were originally written for use in tournaments. Since they are now used more broadly than that, and with the release of the Federation Commander PBEM system, it has been decided to consolidate all of the PBEM rules in one place.
  • The PBEM website has been updated and reformatted a bit. Because of this latest batch of changes, the site has been modified so that it isn't exslusively for Star Fleete Battles anymore.
  • PBEM STAFF CHANGE: After several years of service, Tim Sargent has resigned as PBEM Coordinator. Frank Brooks has taken over for Tim.

August 9, 2005
  • SPECIAL EVENT - VUDAR REBELLION: To celebrate the release of the first new race in quite some time, PBEM will be running the Vudar Rebellion (SH234.0-SH239.0) scenarios. Check out the Upcoming Special Events section for more information.

August 7, 2005
  • PBEM SHOWCASE - A0301: A0301 (Omega sector) is the new PBEM Showcase game.
  • The pick-up games have also been updated.

April 9, 2005
  • NEWS FROM THE FRONT: A new topic (News From The Front) has been created in the Play By E-Mail forum on the BBS. This topic is for discussing finished or ongoing PBEM games.
  • The pick-up games list has also been brought up-to-date.

June 15, 2004
  • OFFICIAL PBEM RULES LINK FIXED: Several players reported that the link to the PBEM rules was not working. The link has been fixed, and you can now access the rules from the rules section. I apologize for any inconvenience.

April 27, 2004
  • PBEM SHOWCASE: Introducing a new feature to the site - the PBEM Showcase. The PBEM Showcase focuses on a PBEM game that highlights the strengths of PBEM, is unusual in nature, or uses new rules/units (or all 3). This section will be regularly updated as new games that meet the criteria are started.

March 4, 2004
  • FOG: The latest two Fog of War games are now underway. Warp on over to Special Events to catch up on the action.
  • PICK-UP GAMES: The Pick-Up Games have also been brought up-to-date with the latest game progress, starts and finishes.

September 25, 2003
  • FOG OF WAR IV: Fog of War IV sign-ups are now open! The fourth game in the popular series puts a new twist on the first 3 - sealed bids for each sides fleets. If you're a Fog veteran loooking for some more action, or a player who's always wanted to try Fog of War, this is your chance. Jim Vandal Hart is the moderator for this little foray into the foggy world of fleet action. Check out the Special Events or the Fog of War IV home page for more information. But hurry - sign-ups close October 15, 2003!

July 12, 2003
  • DICE LIST GENERATOR: Created by Frank Brooks, this JavaScript utility will generate a 1D6 and 2D6 dice list for 2 players. The utility is located under Tools, here.

July 1, 2003
  • OFFICIAL PBEM SITE REDESIGN: The official PBEM site has been redesigned to match the look and feel of the rest of the SFB web site. A number of things have been updated and/or changed, to bring players up to speed on the latest PBEM offerings and make things easier to find.

    Most of the information remains the same. The pick-up games, tournament games, and special events sections have all been updated. Order of Moderation information (and moderators who have received this award or reported points for it) are now shown in the information section.

    More changes are coming. Items planned for the near future are "Game of the Month" features, reinstitution of player registration, and a rank system for players similiar to the one used by SFA.

    If you have questions, comments, suggestions or items you'd like to see on this site, please let the PBEM Coordinator know.


January 4, 2000
  • NEW PBEM RATED ACE REQUIREMENTS: As you all know, PBEM really took off during the Dark Years of SFB. As such, the people who ran the PBEM system made many decisions about the rules that would govern PBEM without a lot of input from ADB, and the system grew without a lot of scrutiny from ADB. ADB, Inc. extends its apologies that its inability to fully function during The Interregnum made the problems worse than they had to be. But now that ADB is back in business, some oversight must be applied to prevent the explosiveness of PBEM from swamping the Rated Ace system, and to guarantee that PBEM is as competitive and fair as FTF tournaments. It is ADB, Inc.'s goal that PBEM ace cards have the same "weight" as ace cards earned in FTF play or on SFB-OnLine. As such, the PBEM Rate Ace Requirements will govern play in all past, current, and future PBEM Rated Ace tournaments.

August 11, 1999
  • SFB-PBEM TERM PAPERS NEEDED: Captain's Logs will contain information about SFB-PBEM starting with issue 19 and there will be a special section dedicated to SFB-PBEM Term Papers. If you have a tactic specifically designed for SFB-PBEM now is your chance to be heard.

    Please send your Term Papers to Steve Petrick at Amarillo Design Bureau. Be sure to include your real name and your state or country of residence.


May 24, 1999
  • ANNOUNCING HR6: HR6, the sixth sanctioned on-line Rated Ace tournament from ADB, is coming soon. Rules and schedule can be found at The HR6 Home Page.

    Registration will open June 15th and games will begin as soon as we get 64 players and 32 moderator vounteers. Please note that current participants in HR4 and HR5 are not eligible for HR6. (HR5 alternates are eligible.) Registration is timed to coinicide with the end of HR5's first round, so that players can transition to the new tourney when they are eliminated from HR5.

    Jim Vandal Hart will be your host for HR6.


May 6, 1999
  • NOTE TO ALL PBEM WEBMASTERS: As a result of the ADB Web Policy, the Official SFB-PBEM system will enforce the following rules concerning use of copyrighted SSD images and links to unauthorized sites on web page game reports.
    1. All new games should use SSD images that include both a copyright notice and the phrase 'Used by Permission'. New versions of the Tournament Cruiser SSDs have been created to assist in this endeavor. New games that do not use the copyrighted SSDs will not be linked to the Game Reports page.
    2. Games currently in progress should convert to the copyrighted SSDs, or add the copyright and permission notices to the existing SSDs, at the next page update. Sites that fail to do so risk being dropped from the links page until they comply.
    3. I know that many of you are planning to maintain some unauthorized SFB material on your sites. If you are planning to do that, I ask simply that you do not put a link to your unauthorized site on your PBEM game reports.
    That completes our web policy concerning game reports.

March 20, 1999
  • HR5 BEGINS: Sixty four players will be reduced to one champion in six rounds of single elimination combat. Go to the HR4 Final Rounds page for complete details.

March 19, 1999
  • HR4 BRACKET FORMED: The "Elite Eight" of HR4 have been paired for the final three rounds of single elimination combat. Go to the HR4 Final Rounds page for complete details.

February 19, 1999
  • MOVING DAY: Everything related to Official SFB-PBEM is on the StarFleetGames server. Be sure to update your bookmarks.
  • NEW NAME FOR A-SERIES: The A-Series has changed its name and will now be known as the Pick-Up Games.

January 1, 1999
  • OPERATION UNITY PBEM: This is perhaps the largest campaign in Star Fleet Battles!

    The key to the Andromedan Rapid Transport System has been discovered and the Galactic Powers prepare to assault the network of Satellite Bases that lead to the Lesser Magellanic Cloud and the Andromedan Desecrator Starbase. The Andromedans pull their forces back into the Cloud and prepare their defense.

    The staff of the A-Series is proud to present Operation Unity PBEM. See the Operation Unity Home Page for complete details about the campaign.


November 5, 1998
  • PBEM STAFF GROWS AGAIN: Johnathan Dean (Nightshade,) has been added as full staff member.
  • TOURNAMENTS ON THE HORIZON: Preliminary information for HR5 was announced on Mark Means' BBS #1. Due to the overwhelming pressure and time requirements of HR4, HR5 will return to the single-elimination Captain's Tourney format, with 64 players. HR5 is set to open for registration early in 1999, with Round One starting in March, 1999. HR6 will follow closely on the heels of HR5, within 3-6 months. Jonathan Dean (Nightshade) will be the Tournament Director for HR5. Jim Hart (Vandal) will be the Tournament Director HR6.

August 15, 1998
  • PBEM STAFF MEMBER RETIRES: Long-time PBEM staff member and co-developer of the HR Tourney format Steve Rushing announces that he will resign from the staff effective at the end of the HR4 Open Season.

July 1, 1998
  • TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS BEGINS: Tourney of Champions begins with 16 players. This is a single elimination tournament with an interesting twist. Go to the Tournament of Champions page for complete details.

June 18, 1998
  • PBEM MAKEOVER: The Web site was totally revamped to the current format. We hope that the new format eases navigation and helps you find what you need more quickly.

June 14, 1998
  • PBEM STAFF GROWS: Patrick Abram (Cat-With-Sharp-Claws) joins the PBEM staff and sets up a new home for the A-Series. Non-tournament games are now being assigned. Go to the Pick-Up Games page for complete details.

Copyright © 2003 Armarillo Design Bureau, All Rights Reserved Updated 20 December 2006