WHAT IS PBEM?
Play by Email Star Trek
Play by Email (PBeM) is collaborative storytelling where you write Star Trek missions via email. At Star Trek: Freedom, we've been running PBeM games since 1997—28+ years of continuous storytelling. Explore our Star Trek PBeM hub for a quick overview.
What is a PBeM? Play by Email Star Trek RPG Game
A Star Trek PBeM is a collaborative RPG where players write story posts by email, taking turns like a writers' room.
Start in 10 minutes
Create your character, join a crew, and begin writing with help from our community.
- Low time commitment: 1-3 posts per week is typical
- Beginner-friendly guidance from Academy staff
- No fees, no downloads, no pressure
Why Choose Star Trek: Freedom?
🆓 Free Since 1997
Star Trek: Freedom has been completely free to play since 1997 (28+ years). No fees, no subscriptions, no hidden costs—ever.
đź‘Ą Active Community
Join an active, welcoming community of Star Trek fans. Our players are friendly, helpful, and passionate about collaborative storytelling.
🎓 Beginner-Friendly
New to PBeM games? No problem! Our Academy program teaches you everything you need to know. Experienced players are always ready to help.
📧 Email-First Writing
No apps, no downloads—just email. Write collaborative Star Trek missions at your own pace. Most players post 2-3 times per week.
⏰ Flexible Posting
Post when you can. Most players post 2-3 times per week, but casual posting is perfectly fine. No pressure, no guilt—just fun.
đź“š Mission Archive
Explore 28+ years of collaborative storytelling. Browse our mission archive to see examples of how PBeM works in practice.
Ready to Start Your Star Trek Adventure?
Join Star Trek: Freedom →Create your character and start playing in just 10 minutes
PBeM
PBeM is an acronym that stands for "Play By e-Mail". The basic idea is to simulate the experience of a face-to-face role playing game by using e-mail. There is a game master (or multiple game masters), and a group of players. Instead of verbally telling the game master (and the group) what a player's character is doing, the player emails a description of his or her actions to a mailing list. The concept is the same, but the medium is different.
As a result of the different medium, the game is more descriptive in nature. Most posts are written to not only describe the actions a character is taking, but what s/he is thinking, feeling, or experiencing. In this way, it is an even more immersive experience than face-to-face role playing.
Another benefit to the PBeM paradigm is the lack of a vast time commitment. If you want to role play face-to-face, you usually have to coordinate the schedules of eight or more people, find a time and place where they can all get together and be sequestered for hours at a time. With PBeM, you can play anytime you have a few spare minutes to check your email and do a bit of writing. So long as you're able to work a handful of such sessions a week, you have all the time you need.
Low Pressure Mode
Post when you can. Most players post 2-3 times per week, but casual posting is okay. No guilt, no pressure—just collaborative storytelling at your own pace.
Leave of Absence (LOA) is Normal
Need to step away? LOA is normal and encouraged. Life happens—work, family, health, travel. Just let us know, and your character will be waiting when you return.
Returning Member Friendly
Been away? We welcome returning members back. Your character and history are preserved—just pick up where you left off.
Ready to start?
If this format fits you, start your application now. It takes about 10 minutes.
Star Trek
Our particular PBeM is set in the Star Trek universe. Therefore, it certainly helps to know some background information about that fictional setting. Our game draws from the original series, the films, and later-era shows including Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds. A potential player need not have seen every single episode, or even a majority of them. He or she needs only to have seen enough to have an understanding of how things work in the fictional setting of the United Federation of Planets in 2446 A.D., the post-Picard era.
How It All Works
So you may be asking, how does all of this work? Well, the organizational structure of the game fairly closely mirrors the actual structure of Starfleet. The overall game consists of a number of duty stations, which can be either a stationary outpost (like a Starbase or a research facility), or a Starship (like the Enterprise, or Voyager). Each duty station is its own self-contained game, has its own storylines, and its own set of characters, independent of any other duty station.
Each duty station has a Commanding Officer (CO), and a First Officer (FO). These two players are usually very experienced with the game, have been playing for quite a while, and know the ins and outs. They are the game masters for that particular game, in that they come up with the plot and are responsible for guiding the progress of the game, as well as dealing with any player-related issues that arise.
Everyone else on a duty station is a player in the game. They each have a fictional character which they created at the time they applied to join the game. Their character will belong to a department within the ship (e.g. Security, Engineering, Science, Medical). Their character will also have a rank, which will not only affect their in-game status, but will also reflect their time and accomplishments in-game. Players start at Ensign (junior grade), but can eventually work their way all the way up to Captain, or even higher!
New players begin their journey at Starfleet Academy, where they learn the basics of PBeM gaming, character creation, and how to participate in the game. After graduation, cadets are assigned to fleet assets.
Posting & Roleplay Examples
The single most important aspect of the game is posting. A post is an e-mail containing a description of a character's (or group of characters') actions. Therefore, posts are what make the game go. Each post takes place in the context of a "mission", which is a storyline that the game is generally following.
Example Mission Log Entry:
Subject: [USS Republic] Science Labs - "Midnight Research"
Lt. Commander T'Vrell adjusted the sensor gain on the bio-bed scanner. The readings from the nebula sample were inconsistent with previous Federation surveys. She tapped a command into her console, her Vulcan features neutral despite the growing scientific puzzle before her.
"Computer, cross-reference these tachyon emissions with the Archer-class survey logs from 2154," she requested, her voice calm in the quiet lab.
The doors hissed open, and Ensign Miller stepped in, clutching two PADDs. "Commander, the Engineering team says they've found the source of the EPS leak, but they'll need Science to calibrate the emitters."
T'Vrell looked up. "Very well, Ensign. Prepare the secondary sensor array. We shall begin immediately."
[Tag: Ensign Miller]
A post typically contains the following information:
- What character is this post centered around
- Where the post takes place
- When the post takes place
- What characters the action in this post will require a reply from (a "Tag")
Generally, the CO of a ship will start a mission with a fairly long post which will set up the storyline. After that, it is largely up to the players and their imaginations to keep the story going via a series of interconnected posts. This continues until some goal or series of goals have been reached.
Frequently Asked Questions About PBeM Games
What is a PBeM game?
PBeM stands for Play by Email. It's a form of role-playing game where players interact through email, writing stories and making decisions that affect the game world. Star Trek: Freedom is a free PBeM Star Trek role-playing game set in the year 2446.
How do I play Star Trek: Freedom?
Star Trek: Freedom is a free Play by Email (PBeM) game. Players create characters, join ships or stations, and participate in collaborative storytelling through email. Visit our Join page to create a character and start playing in just 10 minutes.
Is Star Trek: Freedom free to play?
Yes! Star Trek: Freedom is completely free to play. There are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs. It's a community-driven Star Trek role-playing game that has been running since 1997.
What is the setting of Star Trek: Freedom?
Star Trek: Freedom is set in the year 2446, after the events of Star Trek: Picard. The Federation has lost its way. Several member worlds have left, and Starfleet is rebuilding. Players join the 52nd Fleet, operating from Starbase Freedom and other ships.
Do I need to know Star Trek to play?
While familiarity with Star Trek helps, it's not required. Star Trek: Freedom welcomes both longtime fans and newcomers. Our community is helpful and welcoming to players of all experience levels.
How often do I need to play?
PBeM games are flexible - you play at your own pace. Most players post a few times per week, but the frequency depends on your character's role and the current storylines. There's no pressure to post daily.
How long has Star Trek: Freedom been running?
Star Trek: Freedom has been running since 1997, making it one of the longest-running Star Trek PBeM games. With over 25 years of continuous operation, we have a stable, active community and well-established storylines.
What makes Star Trek: Freedom different from other Star Trek PBeM games?
Star Trek: Freedom is completely free, beginner-friendly, and has been running since 1997. We offer flexible posting schedules, a welcoming community, and multiple ships and stations to choose from. Unlike some PBeM games, there are no fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs.
How do I create a character in Star Trek: Freedom?
Creating a character is easy and free! Visit our Join page, fill out a character application with your character's name, species, background, and desired department. Our staff will review your application and help you get started. The entire process takes about 10 minutes.
What ships can I join in Star Trek: Freedom?
Star Trek: Freedom features several active ships and stations including Starbase Freedom, USS Hades, USS Exeter, USS Republic, and the Mars Defense Perimeter. Each location offers unique storylines, missions, and opportunities for character development.
Is Star Trek: Freedom active?
Yes! Star Trek: Freedom is actively running with regular missions, character development, and community engagement. Players post regularly, and new missions are constantly being developed. Our community has been thriving since 1997.
What is the best Star Trek PBeM game?
If you're looking for a long-running, beginner-friendly Trek PBeM, Star Trek: Freedom has been running since 1997 with an active community, flexible posting schedules, and no fees. Our LCARS interface, extensive mission archives (3,341+ compiles), and welcoming culture make it ideal for both new and experienced players seeking collaborative storytelling.
How do PBeM games work?
PBeM (Play by Email) games work by having players write descriptive posts via email that describe their character's actions, thoughts, and dialogue. These posts are shared with the group, creating collaborative storytelling. Players can post at their own pace, making PBeM games flexible and accessible.
Can I play Star Trek: Freedom on mobile?
Yes! Star Trek: Freedom is accessible on any device with email access, including smartphones and tablets. Since the game is played through email, you can participate from anywhere, anytime, making it perfect for mobile users.