I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with a format I've seen in a couple of games and could explain it to me.
I've seen a couple of games where the players post their normal gameplay posts in 'Discussion' and the DM then somehow recollects these posts periodically and posts them as pdfs in the gameplay thread.
Is anyone familiar with this format and can give me better insight into what the thinking is here? Is there a lot of additional editing that's happening between the player posts and the DM compilation, for example?
Sounds like you're talking about Fabian Benavente's games. I believe he likes the style because it makes the gameplay thread read something like a novel. My understanding is that he started GMing in a Play-by-Email format, where he'd compile the emails he received from the players into a single file he'd then send back to the players for responses; I presume he enjoyed the process, and it just 'stuck.'
I've played in a couple of his games, and I don't recall him editing anything heavily; just a little blending to make things flow as a single narrative.
EDIT: Found his list of perceived benefits.
A few years ago, there were websites only to recruit players for Play By Email Games. Now it's very hard to find anyone running one, let alone be able to play in one.
I realize that PbPs are 'in' but I think that a properly run PBEM (i.e., with a turn recap) is so much better.
A PBEM with turn recaps:
a) allows for all the 'confusing' posting by players and DM to get sorted out in a 'nice chapter-like read' (i.e., no need to see what PC is answering to what NPC by going up and down on your screen);
b) provides a perfect space for out of character information (PC and NPC health status, maps, etc.);
c) is perfect for setting the pace of the game (i.e., turn recap in 48 hours, post by then or your PC will...);
d) encourages roleplaying and writing, by seeing a story being developed, players tend to post more than the usual 'I hit with my sword; show dice rolls'
e) speeds up the game significantly by removing all dice-rolling from players (only DM rolls dice), (combat in PbPs tend to go in initiative order where players tend to wait on other players before posting whereas PBEM games ask for players intended actions (with descriptions) and then the DM rolls the dice and tells everyone what happened, usually a couple of rounds of combat at a time).I could probably come up with more pros.
The only real con I see is that it is a bit more work for the DM but the result is well worth it.