How Hard is it to set up a PBEM Game?

you cannot convert them.

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an se5a is a ww1 fighter, it is also a car.

I hadn't done it in over a year and I just created one with no problem on the pbw site (SE5 1.17 stock, thanks geoschmo!).
http://seiv.pbw.cc

Even created another account so I could upload empires and play through the first turn.

Create the SE5 game and your empire file first on your computer.

When creating the game, make sure you select the correct multiplayer options (different machines, simultaneous movement, manual file moving).

Enter a game name and password (leave savegame directory blank)

Be sure to select the "no tactical combat" and "no cheat codes" options.

Create and save your empire file prior to starting the game.

Write down the game name and password, your empire Name and Password, and ALL game parameters.

When you click the "start game" button, a .gam file will be created for you to upload to the pbw site.

Create the game on the pbw site. Describe all the game parameters completely in the game description so folks can create their empire files properly.

After all players have joined the game and uploaded their empire files, you can upload the .gam file and you'll get your first game turn via e-mail.

save the game file in the SE5 savegame directory, start the game, load the game file, take your turn, when you're done a .plr file will be created for you in the savegame directory.

upload the .plr file to the pbw site and you've completed your first turn.

took me a couple of attempts to get it right the first time I tried it years ago.