Civilization VII PBEM

PBEM is short for Play-By-Mail, a style of multiplayer where players take turns by passing a save file back and forth instead of playing at the same time. It's the original form of asynchronous multiplayer.

What PBEM means

Long before always-on internet multiplayer, strategy games let two people play a single game by emailing a save file to each other. One player took a turn, saved, and sent the file; the other loaded it, took their turn, and sent it back. That category of play is still called Play-By-Mail today.

From Play-By-Mail to asynchronous multiplayer

PBEM is really a specific name for the same idea: asynchronous multiplayer. Instead of both players being online at once, the game moves forward whenever each person finds time for a turn. Civilization VII's Hotseat save files are a natural fit for this style of play.

How c7pbm modernizes PBEM

Traditionally you'd manually email the save file back and forth. c7pbm automates that exchange:

• Your opponent's turns are delivered into your Civ VII saves folder automatically.
• c7pbm keeps track of whose turn it is.
• No digging through email attachments or old folders.

One clarification: c7pbm doesn't literally require email. "PBEM" is the category name. You handle everything through the c7pbm web app in your browser.

Learn more

See how asynchronous multiplayer works in Civilization VII, or follow the full setup guide.