How to Start a PBeM -UPDATED

[el lobo]

I am confused about the naming of the game files (for pbem games).

The manual says;

Give the game a name with a turn number that allows you to readily know what turn it is and which side created it. (example: Allies3, Jap3, Turn3a or Turn3j)

What I am seeing in this thread, and my own game, is that the game name is the slot # and the players are passing this same name back and forth. So where do you give the game the names (a different name for each half-turn?) as suggested by the manual?

Tracker suggest;

To keep a large number of turns, a good idea would be to take the save games and name them with a turn number. For example, if your slot is 22, the save file name is wpae022.pws. So you can keep turn one as wpae022.pws.001 and turn two as wpae022.pws.002, etc. This works nicely for the Multi-Turn reading function.

Is this a copy of each turn renamed?

I would appreciate it if someone could explain this for me.

TIA

el lobo

[CaptDave]

I think everyone does it differently, but here's my procedure. I use one slot for the game as it is in progress, and this is also the file I pass back and forth to and from my opponent. Let's say it's Slot 50 (since it is, in my current game). You're correct, this is wpae050.pws. The internal name is simply whatever he named it, since he's the Japanese player.

When I get a new turn I immediately open it and save it in a second slot, in this case 6x where x represents the units digit of the turn number. Thus, Slot 60 is used for turns 10, 20, 30, etc.; Slot 61 is turns 1, 11, 21, etc. This gives me an archive of 10 "start of turn" files, with internal names to that effect (Dave vs. David - Start of Turn 12).

Before ending the orders phase I do an end-of-turn save to the 7x slot, so I also have a 10-game archive of end-of-turn files. After this save I end the orders phase, save to Slot 50, and hope I remember to send it to my opponent right away!

By always using the same slot (50) for the active game, even in the middle of the turn, I never have to worry about overwriting an archived version. By keeping the archives I can go back and review anything for 10 turns, and I have them available in case we need technical support. Of course, all the emails are also archived, so I have every turn available there if I really need one of them.

[sfjdfyuyj]

Thanks ADM DadMan! perfect timing as I'm about to set up my first game.

[Sheytan]

Thanks I have to refer to your excellent info all the time over the years to play lol.

ORIGINAL: Admiral DadMan

The Japanese Player is the one who starts the process.

Start the game program.

Set all REALISIM OPTIONS, GAME OPTIONS, and PREFERENCES. It is important to record your settings and send them to your opponent. (Personally, I send screen shots).

On the main screen click on PLAY BY EMAIL.

Click on SCENARIO SELECTION, then pick your scenario. Click SELECT SCENARIO, then START GAME.

Here's what should happen:

Enter Password when prompted for it.
(enter orders if you are not using Historical Start, then end turn.)
The game will then go to the Save Game Menu
Choose a save game slot (for example, 005), click on it to select.
Click the "save" button at the bottom of the screen.
When it's done saving, click "Exit" to the bottom right.

Now go into the WitP:AE SAVE directory (\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\SAVE) to retrieve your file. (I make a shortcut on my desktop for easy access).
Send the save game file (wpae005.pws) to your Allied buddy.

Allied Player drops the wpae005.pws into his SAVE folder
Start WitP:AE
It is a good idea to set your game using the same EXACT settings as your partner.
Choose LOAD A SAVED GAME.
Then choose the same game file (wpae005.pws), and then click SELECT SAVE GAME button
Enter Password when prompted.
Enter orders and end turn, unless you are using Historical Start. The game will go to the Save Game Menu
Save game to the same slot as loaded from (005).
Click the "save" button at the bottom of the screen.
When it's done saving, click "Exit" to the bottom right.
Allied player sends the same file (wpae005.pws) back to the Japan Player

Japan player loads the save game file (005) enters password, the game will generate the first turn, and you're off!

When you're each done entering orders, you use the "e" key or "end turn" icon.

The flow of turns is now pretty simple:
Japan player loads 005 file, which generates the 001 combat replay save file, and then enters orders.
Japan player sends TWO files to the Allied Player: turn save file (wpae005.pws) and combat replay save file (wpae001.pws)
The Japan Player may at his discretion also send the combatreport.txt file as well, but it is not necessary.


Allied player loads 001 file to view results and generate reports
Load 005 file to enter orders
Allied player sends ONE file to the Japan Player: turn save file (wpae005.pws) only


*** A word of note: If you are using Historical Start, you do NOT get to enter ANY orders on the intitial set up turn! The game will go straight to the Save Game screen. This applies to Scenarios 1 and 2 (Dec 7 start) only***

[Admiral DadMan]

The instruction set in the first post has been re-written for clarity:

How to Start a PBEM

[mosessan20]

Better do not remove any files from game folder.

[Axe1999]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I dont want to clutter forum with new one.

Im currently two weeks in my current PBEM and I would like to install some art mods, ship sides, aircraft, GUI in general. Will that cause any issues, as long as it is purely visual mods?

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: Axe1999

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I dont want to clutter forum with new one.

Im currently two weeks in my current PBEM and I would like to install some art mods, ship sides, aircraft, GUI in general. Will that cause any issues, as long as it is purely visual mods?

No . . .