[Cainehill]

Yeh, you don't _need_ scripts. But scripts let you make sure the game gets restarted if the Dom3 process (program for you non-techie types) dies or the machine reboots, help you ensure that turn files and other critical files are backed up, etc.

And they let people run actual game _servers_ capable of hosting multiple games at the same time, with players able to create new games via a web (or other) interface.

As far as PbEM games go, I'm not sure you even really need scripts for them either - a good enough mail client can do about 75% of the work required. Again, scripts can help automate things and prevent human error.