Diff between pbem & server game ?

[scout1]

I'm familar with pbem, but not sure just what the server version buys you ?

Do both parties need to be on-line at the same time (similar to what WiF is trying to do with NetPlay) ?

What are the mechanic's of the server version ? Can a player conduct part of a turn, save it there and continue it later ? When a player completes his portion of the turn, does the server send an email to the other player informing him he's up ?

[NotOneStepBack]

You basically take your turn on the online server. Then when you hit end turn it is uploaded and it logs you off. You'll receive an e-mail when your turn is ready again to log back on and play. I believe you can save where you are on the server and come back to it if you don't end your turn.

It has an advantage over PBEM that you don't have to e-mail files all the time and that you can't take back any moves or re-load your turn like in PBEM.

[MisterBoats]

The server system is much better, in my opinion. You simply issue or accept a challenge, then begin playing. When you log in, you see the status of the game (whose turn it is). If it's your turn, you select the game and click "play." You can save a turn and return to it, and play whenever you like. Your opponent does not need to be online.

There is no automatic message or e-mail when a new turn is available, but you can certainly send an e-mail and/or PM to your opponent. Whenever you log in to the multiplayer screen, you'll see the status of all of the games you're playing. In all, it's much easier than the PBEM system.

[scout1]

This game is young, so version (released or beta) isn't an issue. Is the executable file on the server itself ? So both players would need to tie out the that ? This normally isn't an issue, but WittP has generated several variants. Curious if the server would need to support these (as a pbem version is limited to the two players themselves) .....

[NotOneStepBack]

As far as I know it is always the latest official version of the game.

[Dante Fierro]

Can you save your game at several points while working on your turn, and reload a earlier save if you change your mind on something? Or is it linear, where once you make a move or do something that's it?

[Joel Billings]

You can save whenever you want, but only continue from the latest save.

[Dante Fierro]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings

You can save whenever you want, but only continue from the latest save.

Thanks. Then it looks like PBEM for me. I'm too prone to wanting to change things up during a turn! heh

[ratprince]

Umm...wouldnt that be cheating in a versus human game?

[Dante Fierro]

ORIGINAL: mike mcmann

Umm...wouldnt that be cheating in a versus human game?

Hmmm ... you know I'm not the brightest light bulb in the chandelier, and my chandelier is getting pretty old. So yes, now that you mentioned it, given the nature of movement combat etc -to really play the game correctly, you would want to play it via the Server.

Sigh. I guess I'll just have to live with my mistakes even when engaging in my fantasy of being a 5 star general.

[ratprince]

hehe...wasnt calling you a cheater at all... but that was a humorous response. [:)]

[NotOneStepBack]

This is precisely why I play on the server. You can't undo anything, so you better do it right. It made me a better player. Human nature is too easily influenced to replay it.