How does On-line play work ?

World in Flames is the computer version of Australian Design Group classic board game. World In Flames is a highly detailed game covering the both Europe and Pacific Theaters of Operations during World War II. If you want grand strategy this game is for you.

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scout1
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How does On-line play work ?

Post by scout1 »

Does this option require both players to be simultaneously on-line at the same time to play. Or can one player log on and perform whatever commands to a point, which the other player then (on their schedule) log on later and do the same ?
Cad908
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Cad908 »

ORIGINAL: scout1

Does this option require both players to be simultaneously on-line at the same time to play. Or can one player log on and perform whatever commands to a point, which the other player then (on their schedule) log on later and do the same ?
Both players are online simultaneously.

Each turn is comprised of a series of impulses where the active (Phasing) player conducts air missions, naval movement/combat, land movement/combat, ect. The other player (Non-phasing) has the opportunity to interrupt the Phasing player at several points, for example ground supports and air interception missions, and perform actions. The Phasing player cannot advance far into an impulse without the Non-phasing player able to perform actions as each impulse is highly interactive and requires BOTH players involvement.

MWiF is not like other games where one side moves/fights then the other moves/fights and the turn advances.

Hope this helps.

-Rob
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scout1
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by scout1 »

ORIGINAL: Cad908
ORIGINAL: scout1

Does this option require both players to be simultaneously on-line at the same time to play. Or can one player log on and perform whatever commands to a point, which the other player then (on their schedule) log on later and do the same ?
Both players are online simultaneously.

Each turn is comprised of a series of impulses where the active (Phasing) player conducts air missions, naval movement/combat, land movement/combat, ect. The other player (Non-phasing) has the opportunity to interrupt the Phasing player at several points, for example ground supports and air interception missions, and perform actions. The Phasing player cannot advance far into an impulse without the Non-phasing player able to perform actions as each impulse is highly interactive and requires BOTH players involvement.

MWiF is not like other games where one side moves/fights then the other moves/fights and the turn advances.

Hope this helps.

-Rob


Thanks for the clarification ..... So I'm guessing that head to head matches are likely to be limited to someone within a similar/close time zone then ? Not required, but more likely to be able to match up time schedules
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Shannon V. OKeets »

ORIGINAL: scout1

ORIGINAL: Cad908
ORIGINAL: scout1

Does this option require both players to be simultaneously on-line at the same time to play. Or can one player log on and perform whatever commands to a point, which the other player then (on their schedule) log on later and do the same ?
Both players are online simultaneously.

Each turn is comprised of a series of impulses where the active (Phasing) player conducts air missions, naval movement/combat, land movement/combat, ect. The other player (Non-phasing) has the opportunity to interrupt the Phasing player at several points, for example ground supports and air interception missions, and perform actions. The Phasing player cannot advance far into an impulse without the Non-phasing player able to perform actions as each impulse is highly interactive and requires BOTH players involvement.

MWiF is not like other games where one side moves/fights then the other moves/fights and the turn advances.

Hope this helps.

-Rob


Thanks for the clarification ..... So I'm guessing that head to head matches are likely to be limited to someone within a similar/close time zone then ? Not required, but more likely to be able to match up time schedules
Yes.
Steve

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scout1
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by scout1 »

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: scout1

ORIGINAL: Cad908


Both players are online simultaneously.

Each turn is comprised of a series of impulses where the active (Phasing) player conducts air missions, naval movement/combat, land movement/combat, ect. The other player (Non-phasing) has the opportunity to interrupt the Phasing player at several points, for example ground supports and air interception missions, and perform actions. The Phasing player cannot advance far into an impulse without the Non-phasing player able to perform actions as each impulse is highly interactive and requires BOTH players involvement.

MWiF is not like other games where one side moves/fights then the other moves/fights and the turn advances.

Hope this helps.

-Rob


Thanks for the clarification ..... So I'm guessing that head to head matches are likely to be limited to someone within a similar/close time zone then ? Not required, but more likely to be able to match up time schedules
Yes.


Once again, thanks for the inputs .....

Look forward to a pbem feature to be added to this game ..... [;)]
DSWargamer
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by DSWargamer »

This design feature is common to board games, as board games are generally designed with the notion the opponent is sitting across from you watching your actions.

Sadly it works fine with a board game, but tends to be problematic in computer designs, as computer designs normally like to exploit the notion the other player might not be present physically.

Squad Leader and Third Reich are two other famous wargames and they too both have complex turn sequences not easily computerized due to the interactivity of the turn, and thus, tend to make remote play difficult because of the need for the constant interactivity of a single counter's need for the player to state "I do this, do you respond?'.

No problem for games with an AI, but, the again, as I have already adequately pointed out, the AI on it's turn, won't likely be giving you any appreciable level of challenge. Unlike a human opponent, the AI is simply not going to respond in a logical fashion to plenty of actions a human simply would never permit.
I have too many too complicated wargames, and not enough sufficiently interested non wargamer friends.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by gridley »

The only multiplayer computer game I have ever done was when we took a break from the WiF board game and played HOI2 on a LAN network at my office. So we were still basically face to face.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to being able to play MWiF netplay. Hopefully the computer version will make playing a whole side by yourself a bit easier than the boardgame. For a while we only had 3 players in our group, the guy having to run a whole side by himself was always stressed.

For those of you with netplay experience with other games, how does it work? Do you skype or facetime while you play? Do you just communicate by chat? Any other helpful advise? Thanks.
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paulderynck
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by paulderynck »

The best way to do it is to get together on Skype (or Facetime, or Google-talk) - but just using audio - after all you're looking at the map anyway, not each other.

Netplay does have a chat facility built into it, but conference audio is far superior IMO.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by juntoalmar »

Third Reich had a very decent PC version IMO. And I think AI was good enough to learn how to play the game (yeah, I lost my first plays) and to "fill the gaps" in the PBEM plays. For instance, air and naval interceptions could be done by the AI and then no opponent intervention was needed (AI not always perfect, as expected).

(my humble blog about wargames, in spanish) http://cabezadepuente.blogspot.com.es/
Extraneous
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Extraneous »

ORIGINAL: Cad908

Both players are online simultaneously.

Each turn is comprised of a series of impulses where the active (Phasing) player conducts air missions, naval movement/combat, land movement/combat, ect. The other player (Non-phasing) has the opportunity to interrupt the Phasing player at several points, for example ground supports and air interception missions, and perform actions. The Phasing player cannot advance far into an impulse without the Non-phasing player able to perform actions as each impulse is highly interactive and requires BOTH players involvement.

MWiF is not like other games where one side moves/fights then the other moves/fights and the turn advances.

Hope this helps.

-Rob

Two questions:

1) Are only 2 players allowed when playing online?

2) Is play by email available with the current MWiF?

University of Science Music and Culture (USMC) class of 71 and 72 ~ Extraneous (AKA Mziln)
Numdydar
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Numdydar »

Yes to 1 and no to 2 at release

Steve plans to have both PBEM and more than two within a short time of release if poasible. Like within 3 months.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Mynok »


More than two is perfectly feasible using conf calling and having one player execute moves for each side. Ideal, no. But doable.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by SamuraiProgrmmr »

If anyone wants to try the conference call bit... I would suggest teamspeak...
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Shannon V. OKeets »

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

Yes to 1 and no to 2 at release

Steve plans to have both PBEM and more than two within a short time of release if poasible. Like within 3 months.
What you said here is not true for PBEM. AI Opponent is a higher priority.
Steve

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Numdydar
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Numdydar »

So Netplay only is planned to support more than two players at the same time within three or so months correct?

Sorry for the mis-information. I obviously mixed up Netplay and PBEM schedules [:(]. Thanks for keeping me straight.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Shannon V. OKeets »

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

So Netplay only is planned to support more than two players ... within three or so months correct?
That's my goal.
Steve

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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Titi »

Hi,

Sorry if the information had already been posted elsewhere but i missed a lot of posts since ... Chtis Marinacci gave up. [;)]

- On how many computers could the same game be installed?
- Will it be possible to netplay on a lan with 2 (up to 6 later) computers using the same installation?
- Will it be possible to install and play on computer without disk reader?
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Numdydar »

1. As many computers as you want but only one version can be used at a time.
2. No LAN play as far as I know. All multi has to go through Netplay so each person will need their own copy of the game. Of course only one copy is needed for Hot Seat play [:)]
3. The game is downloaded when you buy it. So no disk is ever needed. Although you will get a disk in the mail with the manuals, it is only needed as a backup. Not needed to play the game

I hope this helps.
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Titi »

Thanks, not really what i wanted to read but anyway.

Will buy it just to congratulate the developper for his amazing work and the widsom of not waiting to do the AI. [&o]

The good news is that with the time it took to finish the game, my son could start to play it. [:D]
I'm just trying to find a way to introduce it to CWIF.[&:]

- What is the screen resolution required to play? Will it be possible to play on a tablet PC?
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RE: How does On-line play work ?

Post by Missouri_Rebel »

I think you can still introduce your son to the game via this program. Are you familiar with the way hotseat works? It's not some work-around. This mode of play is setup for just your circumstances.

I played countless games with a friend in the original Combat Mission doing just that. At least with MWiF you don't have to worry bout hidden troops being discovered while playing in such close proximity. Get you a couple of comfortable chairs and go crazy.

A tablet pc? Would technically be able to play it I would assume,if you're talking about a small laptop and not say an IPad type device, but definitely not recommended or the best device to do so on. There are multiple screens that you will have open during play so such small real estate would make it very unpleasant imo. You can get the right cord to hook up a tv as a second monitor for under $5 online and I would guess most computers now days run dual screens. Not necessary, but I find I like having some screens open throughout play and a tv is adequate for my taste.
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