Commute Hub enters beta
The short version: PBEMGS is retired, and Commute Hub is taking its place.
PBEMGS proved that there is still room for thoughtful, asynchronous strategy outside the usual app-store loop. It also proved that email is not the interface I want to keep building around.
Commute Hub is the a clean next step, and a lot more!
Not only are the turn-based asynchronous games ported to a graphical UI, but there’s an entire new primary function of the app - daily logic and word games (puzzles).
The daily games are common for all users, and keep a leaderboard of the best times and scores. Turn-based games are unchanged (and even improved with rules updates to Ninetac and others).
Why “Commute Hub”?
The idea is that the site/app are meant for your daily commute both to and from work - the daily games have 2 editions each day, and the turn-based games will be there all the time. The system also handles connectivity very well - being offline when loading doesn’t stop you from solving the puzzles, and your results will be submitted once you are back online!
Why the change?
PBEMGS had good ideas buried inside a clunky delivery mechanism. Email made the games portable, but it also made onboarding, display quality, and iteration harder than they needed to be.
Commute Hub keeps the important parts:
- games that reward thought over reflexes
- short sessions that fit into real life
- systems that can grow over time
- room for experiments, beta feedback, and new rulesets
And it drops the parts that were getting in the way.
Beta testers wanted
Commute Hub is now far enough along that I’m comfortable putting it in front of more people.
It is still beta software. Things may move, break, change names, change rules, or get rebuilt after feedback. If that sounds acceptable — or actively interesting — I’d like to hear from you.
Start with the new Commute Hub page, or reach out through the social links in the footer.
More updates will follow as the beta sharpens up.