PBEM Questions

[cimamc]

I have only played the AI for WAR IN RUSSIA. It looks like someone could run a file a few times to see what results would be best. Am I being too cynical? I know better to trust one's competitor, but just mentioning in case a follow-up version to 3.2 could plug this loophole. Thanks

[cimamc]

I should have stated earlier. I'm referring to when someone plays in the PBEM. Then someone could run the scenario a couple of times to "see" (probe?) what the best course of action would be. Thanks

[Lokioftheaesir]

Originally posted by cimamc
I have only played the AI for WAR IN RUSSIA. It looks like someone could run a file a few times to see what results would be best. Am I being too cynical? I know better to trust one's competitor, but just mentioning in case a follow-up version to 3.2 could plug this loophole. Thanks

cimamc

There is no way to avoid this, even if the game automatically saved after combat the player could simply delete the saves and unpack fresh ones out of the zip from his opponent.

A suggestion would be to agree with your opponent to allow both to do this or both not to.

Loki

[cimamc]

I agree. If this were a simultaneous move game it probably wouldn't be a problem. I'm thinking of something like AH Stalingrad, etc. But this game is really a great game. I'd say have both agree to only play through once. Thanks for letting me know.

[czerpak]

Originally posted by Lokioftheaesir


cimamc

There is no way to avoid this, even if the game automatically saved after combat the player could simply delete the saves and unpack fresh ones out of the zip from his opponent.

A suggestion would be to agree with your opponent to allow both to do this or both not to.

Loki

There is only one word I know if somebody does that : CHEATER.
And what a waste of time....
Maciej

[cimamc]

Thanks, the idea I had was to simply "tighten" the system so it wouldn't allow replaying. Like maybe having a sequence number to keep track of this. But agreed, why bother playing if one needs to resort to this.

In PBEM, I notice I'm unable (or don't know how) to review what my forces did. The game asks to save the file and once I do this, it's gone from view. I know I can use the AXIS and SOVIET REVIEW in the UTILITY. But this doesn't let me know the final position of my forces before turning the game over to my opponent. Is there a way to recap what I've done? Many thanks.

[Lokioftheaesir]

Originally posted by cimamc
Thanks, the idea I had was to simply "tighten" the system so it wouldn't allow replaying. Like maybe having a sequence number to keep track of this. But agreed, why bother playing if one needs to resort to this.

In PBEM, I notice I'm unable (or don't know how) to review what my forces did. The game asks to save the file and once I do this, it's gone from view. I know I can use the AXIS and SOVIET REVIEW in the UTILITY. But this doesn't let me know the final position of my forces before turning the game over to my opponent. Is there a way to recap what I've done? Many thanks.

Cimamc

Yes, very annoying. The best i have come up with is to run combat in 'zoomed out' mode using MAP with 'control' on. After combat results you can 'left click' (only) on the map section shown on screen and (some)positions will appear with units as they are after combat (under no circumstances rightclick or you will lose the game without saving).
There is one way to get ALL the info you want but as they say on the Spy sendups. "After i told you i would have to shoot you"
(Basically it is cheating as both sides are fully revealed. As Maciej said why bother, it's a waste of time )

Loki

[czerpak]

Originally posted by Lokioftheaesir


Cimamc

Yes, very annoying. The best i have come up with is to run combat in 'zoomed out' mode using MAP with 'control' on. After combat results you can 'left click' (only) on the map section shown on screen and (some)positions will appear with units as they are after combat (under no circumstances rightclick or you will lose the game without saving).
There is one way to get ALL the info you want but as they say on the Spy sendups. "After i told you i would have to shoot you"
(Basically it is cheating as both sides are fully revealed. As Maciej said why bother, it's a waste of time )

Loki

Nick,
am I missing something ? After you hit combat you get after action report from each and every battle which occured during this phase. So if you watch this reports you know quite a lot about results of the phase. Only thing you are missing are movements without combat and a view of whole front at the end ( with zoom out you can see half of the front - now I agree it is always the part you are less interested about, but thats one of Murphy's Laws I think)
Maciej

[Lokioftheaesir]

Originally posted by czerpak


Nick,
am I missing something ? After you hit combat you get after action report from each and every battle which occured during this phase. So if you watch this reports you know quite a lot about results of the phase. Only thing you are missing are movements without combat and a view of whole front at the end ( with zoom out you can see half of the front - now I agree it is always the part you are less interested about, but thats one of Murphy's Laws I think)
Maciej

Maciej

I think i understand cimamc's POV as he might be fairly new to Wir and wants to know every little thing that happens. After playing a score of PBEM games over the space of a year with never less than 3 running he might get like me and not even look much at the map after combat. Just remember which save leter to use and move to the next game.
(Planing then watching the combats becomes the most important thing, thats when a few nasty words might pop out.)

Loki

[czerpak]

Originally posted by Lokioftheaesir


Maciej

Just remember which save leter to use and move to the next game.

Loki

thats the hardest part of the game

Maciej

[88mmshock]

This doesn't exactly fit this thread but it was the best place to post it without starting a new one (fighting thread pollution as it were .
I know how to play by email by zipping the 4 required files and emailing them to my opponent. The manual talks about a PBEM manager which as far as I can tell is supposed to automate thes process. I not sure how to use this feature or even where to find it. Is there such a feature or do I just have battle fatigue?
Thanks

[88mmshock]

This doesn't exactly fit this thread but it was the best place to post it without starting a new one (fighting thread pollution as it were .
I know how to play by email by zipping the 4 required files and emailing them to my opponent. The manual talks about a PBEM manager which as far as I can tell is supposed to automate thes process. I not sure how to use this feature or even where to find it. Is there such a feature or do I just have battle fatigue?
Thanks

[davewolf]

Originally posted by mfr
I know how to play by email by zipping the 4 required files and emailing them to my opponent. The manual talks about a PBEM manager which as far as I can tell is supposed to automate thes process. I not sure how to use this feature or even where to find it. Is there such a feature or do I just have battle fatigue?

mfr
You can find and d/l the PBEM Helper application at this website:
http://www.sci.fi/~fuerte/pbem.htm. It's IMO better than the stantard PBEM program which can be d/l from the Matrix War In Russia page.
You have to install it, then enter the PBEM programs paths which the program doesn't find automatically. After that you'll have to enter your mail options (Options - Sending e-mail), then edit (F2) the receiver's mail address.
When done you can send the save games (F4) without additional work. Receiving such mails you have to double-click the PBEM attachment and it'll be done.
Off course the program has more options but that's it for now.
If you should need further help just ask.

Dave

[88mmshock]

Thanks Dave I'll dl it and give it a try.

[cimamc]

Yep, definitely new as this is my first PBEM game. It sounds like just do your best and see. I'm playing the Russian side and what I'm wanting to know is how much of the plot orders are being followed. If I were playing the Axis side, I'd be very confident all plots were made as ordered. I'll do the best I can with the utility reports. Thanks much. It's a great game! Mark

[PMCN]

The soviets have about a 25% chance of actually following plot orders which are pure movement. It is somewhat higher if a tank division is in the army. They will always execute attack orders (either attack or bombardment) but they will not combine attacks. There is some chance they may if again tank division are present in all army groups assigned to the attack but that is not something you should count on.

Your safest bet is to assume they will not actually follow pure plot movment orders and be surprised and happy when they do.

[Ed Cogburn]

Originally posted by cimamc
Yep, definitely new as this is my first PBEM game. It sounds like just do your best and see. I'm playing the Russian side and what I'm wanting to know is how much of the plot orders are being followed.

The plotting problem represents Soviet disorganization in the beginning of the Barbarossa campaign. It only lasts a couple of months.