Wonderful Game, Wonderfully Broken PBEM

[Skeleton]

This is really an excellent game and it has a ton of potential. As a solitaire game, it is much better than anything out at the moment as far as I am concerned. The ability to mod it is very impressive and the available mods to date genuinely add quite a bit. But, the PBEM aspects to this game are really, really broken at best. In two PBEM games I have had, I am continually prompted with Game Events for the opposing side. Please tell me this is a bug and not a design decision? If it is the first, please tell me this will be addressed in the next patch? Also, why is there not something very clear and concise in the manual about hitting the F11 key to change country control, when in the map mode? As for changing country control in the load screen, we are unable to do so in a PBEM. Again, wonderful game, ton of potential, these PBEM killers really need to be addressed in the next patch.

[AH4Ever]

ORIGINAL: Marcus the leper

This... game... has a ton of potential... the PBEM... are really, really broken... I am continually prompted with Game Events for the opposing side... a design decision... will be addressed.

something... in the manual about hitting the F11 key to change country control, when in the map mode? As for changing country control in the load screen, we are unable to do so in a PBEM.

The WI team were shooting for a fix to the PBEM in this quarter of '10, but it seems the 1.7 HotFix and the troubles that followed might have delayed that. We can always hope that 1.8 will address the situation, keep your fingers crossed.

There is a work around available:

PBEM Alternative

I agree that one player seeing all the events is not the best way to handle them. From what I've read in other threads, it looks like it might be the only way without causing other problems with linked events firing.

The F11 thing was a surprise to me too, it is not an official game tool it is what they call a developer's cheat. It was left enabled at the request of the community.

[Skeleton]

I am heartened that there will be a fix, whenever that maybe. I really enjoy this game, which is where the disappointment at the PBEM mechanics stems from. I cannot help but to get the feeling that they were almost an after thought, thrown in at the end. Just the same, thanks for a response AH, I appreciate you taking the time to reply and inform me.

[Chocolino]

Your disenchantment with PBEM is understandable. A fix is needed for the events in PBEM and the use of F11/F12 is indeed not documented well. (F11 is the snake oil of ToW and can cure almost everything from changed country control over hung games to transport PP overland. In contrast to real snake oil it almost always works, too)

I would like to encourage you to give PBEM another chance - even without the announced fix. I think it is much more enjoyable than playing the AI despite the issues. Here is why:

Most events are somewhat inconsequential and knowing your opponents choice is only a minor annoyance. It does not really distract from the game that much. There are of course also important events but they usually don't stay hidden for long anyways (Italy or US enter the war etc).

[doomtrader]

1.80 is almost completed and is rather focused on bugkilling.
But for the next patch we are planning to enable possibility of giving the events choices to the AI.

[AH4Ever]

ORIGINAL: doomtrader

1.80 is almost completed and is rather focused on bug-killing.

The next patch we are planning to enable possibility of giving the events choices to the AI.

So you're saying that in PBEM there would be an option to allow the AI to make the event choices.

Would this mean that the players might have to deal with a result not of their choosing?

That could really spice up the game, I think I like the idea if that is how it would work.

[Skeleton]

That is excellent news! Could you tell us what some of the changes are or clairify a bit and when you might expect to be releasing this patch? Again, wonderful game and thank you for your hard work!

[Tomokatu]

Would this mean that the players might have to deal with a result not of their choosing?

So the wording of the event message might be something like "The Imperial General Staff/Congress/Assembly of People's Deputies has decided...."?
 
Love it!