PBEM Need Help

[nycoroner05]

Hello all,

I never have played like this before. I have an opponent but do not know how to set up the game.

Thank you.

[Jason Petho]

Section 12.2 is your friend!

12.2 Play-By-Email

12.2.1 Playing By Email

This game truly shines when you play against a Human Opponent. There are a few ways to do so, but the most common is to Play-by-Email (PBEM).

12.2.2 How to…

Starting a PBEM game is similar to starting a regular game.

1. Launch Vietnam from the menu.
2. From the main menu, select Play Scenario
3. Check Play-by-Email and select the Start a New Game radio button.

That will take you the scenario selection screen. It is recommended to look for scenarios that are classified as H2H in the description, which will be noted right after the location. Scroll through the list and choose a scenario, once chosen, press OK.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The side that starts first is the side that should start the game.
NOTE: The side the flags on the scenario graphic will denote which side is which for choosing sides. Side A is on the left, Side B is on the right.

After the game loads, you will be required to decide which Side to play. Choose the recommended Side as described in the scenario description. It is recommended you check Fog-of-War and ensure that the appropriate rules are chosen. In most scenarios, All Optional Rules, except Variable Visibility, are intended to be used. Once your choices are decided and confirmed, press OK. Your choice will be the default for future games. If you wish to change them, you will have to do so manually.

Depending on which Side you chose, you may play first, or it may be that the AI plays first. If it is your Side that plays first, play through the turn and press End Turn. It will require you to save the file in the …/Campaign Series Vietnam/saves folder.

The default file is called: battle.bte. It is recommended that you use the following format for saving your game file (your initials, your opponent initials, followed a description of the scenario name):
jp_jm_saigon1955.bte

This format quickly allows you to see whom you are playing and which scenario you are playing, which is handy if you are playing multiple people, or multiple scenarios with the same person.

After you’ve saved the file, it will ask you to enter a password. Passwords are recommended and should be something you can easily remember.
Exit the program and use Windows Explorer to locate the saves folder where your file is now located. You can place this file directly in an email to your opponent, or you can zip the file (right clicking on the file and choose to compress or zip using your favorite compression tool). While zipping isn’t required, it is recommended for larger scenarios as the files can get large.

When you receive the turn back, you will place the file back into your …Campaign Series Vietnam/saves folder and overwrite the existing file.

To Continue a PBEM game:
1. Launch Vietnam from the menu.
2. From the main menu, select Play Scenario
3. Check Play-by-Email and select the Resume an Existing Game radio button.
4. Choose the scenario you are playing
5. Enter your password and watch the replay

[Jason Petho]

Just as an FYI

With the 1.30 UPDATE expected to be released in the fall, we plan on moving to the PBEM++ system that is included with other Matrix games, which will make this process much simpler.

[nycoroner05]

Thank you very much

[Jason Petho]

You're most welcome! Always happy to help!