PBEM questions

[Mynok]

How does it work? Is it simultaneous submit and process, i.e. does everyone send their turn into the "gamemaster" and then does each player get a result file? Can it be automated?

Please tell me it isn't the round-robin disaster that Crown of Glory had.

[MarshallEllis]

Everybody sends their turns to everybody else.
All turns get sent out to all players at the same time so everybody can see a turn result at the same time.
 
 

[timewalker03]

Another PBEM question. Can you play in more than 1 PBEM game or do you have only 1 game option at a time.

[MarshallEllis]

You can play in as many PBEM games you want (OR as many as your marriage / work / family will allow)? Each game is kept separate from others via save game files.
 

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

Everybody sends their turns to everybody else.
All turns get sent out to all players at the same time so everybody can see a turn result at the same time.

Following up on that encouraging answer, does that mean that the game doesn't need a dedicated "game runner"? What if a player misses a turn? What happens?

[MarshallEllis]

Mynok:
 
You will need one of the nations to act as the host. This host can (Depends on options) be given Game Assistant power to use the AI to play someone's turn and/or replace a player.
 
 
 

[Mynok]

Excellent! Are turns sent from within the game, so no email hoop jumping is required? Just click send and everyone gets their turn?

Or does the aforementioned game host get all the turns, run the turn, then send to all players? And can the host be switched if a problem/absence occurs?

[MarshallEllis]

Mynok:
 
When you select the "send to all nations" button it will fire up a blank email to all other nations so the only thing you need to do is add in your turn file. The turn has techincally already been executed so essentially what you are sending are results which is just sync-ing all games. I guess the answer is no. The emailing is technically out of the game BUT I've tried to make it esay to do.
 
You should be able to switch the host but this can be tricky since as soon as you give up your rights as the host, your hosting powers are GONE!

[Mynok]

Ok. So I'm understanding the process as:

1. Players view results and submit orders.
2. Players send turns to the game host.
3. Game host runs the turn.
4. Game host sends results to all players.
5. Go to step (1)

[Monadman]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Ok. So I'm understanding the process as:

1. Players view results and submit orders.
2. Players send turns to the game host.
3. Game host runs the turn.
4. Game host sends results to all players.
5. Go to step (1)

No, it works like this:

1. Player #1 works turn
2. Player #1 sends turn file to all players in the group
3. All Players load Player #1 turn file
4. Player #2 works turn
5. Player #2 sends turn file to all players in the group
6. All Players load Player #2 turn file
. . .
Repeat until the phase is completed by all seven players

Richard

[Mynok]

Argh! So it is round-robin. Bleah.

[HobbesACW]

Is it true that there are 520 turns to a game? (I think I read 10 years with weekly turns?)
I had assumed turns would be monthly.

Cheers, Chris

[Pford]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Argh! So it is round-robin. Bleah.

My gut reaction, as well. Multiplayer in this game will require administrative, diplomatic and organizational skills on the part of the host. Probably, a dash of charisma would be helpful too. Can the AI fill in seamlessly for the inevitable fade outs?

The only multi-multiplayer game that had simultaneous turns, WEGO, in effect, was the old galactic empire building opus, Stars!. (IIRC) Now THAT'S something that Matrix, with their penchant for re-releases, should revisit.

[MarshallEllis]

Mynok:
 
I guess it is round-robin. There isn't a balanced method other than round robin (IGO-UGO-NEXT) since EiA's turn ordering gives advantages to certain nations (France can utilize a double-move since they can change their move order for land phases and GBR can do the same for naval phases). Syncronous execution would eliminate those intentional advantages.
 
 

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Pford
My gut reaction, as well. Multiplayer in this game will require administrative, diplomatic and organizational skills on the part of the host. Probably, a dash of charisma would be helpful too. Can the AI fill in seamlessly for the inevitable fade outs?

Yes, the AI can fill in.

The only multi-multiplayer game that had simultaneous turns, WEGO, in effect, was the old galactic empire building opus, Stars!. (IIRC) Now THAT'S something that Matrix, with their penchant for re-releases, should revisit.

I think Dominions has that as well. Our upcoming Combined Arms release also has simultaneous multi-player PBEM, but it has a different structure than EIA as a game.

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

Mynok:

I guess it is round-robin. There isn't a balanced method other than round robin (IGO-UGO-NEXT) since EiA's turn ordering gives advantages to certain nations (France can utilize a double-move since they can change their move order for land phases and GBR can do the same for naval phases). Syncronous execution would eliminate those intentional advantages.

I'm showing my distaste for that feature of the game. [:D] But you are right, that fits the old boardgame format the best.

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

The only multi-multiplayer game that had simultaneous turns, WEGO, in effect, was the old galactic empire building opus, Stars!. (IIRC) Now THAT'S something that Matrix, with their penchant for re-releases, should revisit.

I think Dominions has that as well. Our upcoming Combined Arms release also has simultaneous multi-player PBEM, but it has a different structure than EIA as a game.

So did the old DOS VGA Planets. Played a ton of Stars! and VGA Planets. The current Space Empires IV is a WEGO now.


Back to the thread subject now........

So each player does his turn AND gets the results of it before sending it to the next player, correct?

[John Neal]

I'm trying to set up teo player PBEM game, selected 2 humans, entered email address, all others at AI Easy, says "Invalid Player Type(s) for this game".

Any clues to what i'm doing wrong appreciated.

edited to add: NVM, it seems to work, but came up with Russian setup & i wanted to be France,
saved & emailed to opponent.

[John Neal]

Saved files too big to email, i guess Russian player should be host, since they set up first?

[Ralegh]

The files zip really well if you have email size limit issues.