Multiplayer PBEM

[Arkady]

Hi,
is there any chance for some type of multiplayer PBEM ?

We played UV 2x2, problem is that in this type of play you send turns in chain (player X to player Y and than to opponents)... speed of play is not fast enough. Our averege was 2 days per side (so 1 turn = 4 days...7-8 turns per month)

I have some idea...units (or area commands) are assigned to each payer of a side, players can give orders simultaneously only to their own units and before end of turn, master player (CiC) will "merge" files into big one and send it to opponent(s).

It's to difficult and problematic to code or just absolute nonasense ?

[Drex]

This has been tried with PacWar and was a dismal failure simply because the game is so long. Players will fall out along the way and with the different time zones, turns can take forever. It won't happen.

[Mike Scholl]

ORIGINAL: Drex

This has been tried with PacWar and was a dismal failure simply because the game is so long. Players will fall out along the way and with the different time zones, turns can take forever. It won't happen.

Was the system a dismal failure..., or just the player selection? A theatre command
in WITP is the equivalent of a whole game in most other projects.

[mogami]

Hi, I think the best way to do this is for one player per side (or better yet 1 person running H2H) actually do the orders but follow plans submitted by the local commanders. All players get the current turn and email instructions to the order input guy. All players have a time limit. I would not hope for more then 1 turn per day. The order input guy is going to run the turn at a set time no matter what. If he knows the plan in advance so much the better. Some players will want to make every keystroke themselves, Others might be happy to just control the big picture and have another do all the daily tasks.

When Snigbert was testing UV he followed directions from the forum and was still able to make multiple turns per day.
Of course the trick would be finding someone who can follow directions.


Perhaps chat room or ICQ type com could be established between teammates and the order input person.

[Drex]

I'm sorry I sound so negative but you can't separate the game from the players. Of course it is player selection: the game is perfect for multiplayer but the ideal player mix would be to have everyone in the same time zone ( same city even), with back-ups for each theater and have them all single and uninvolved for at least one year( maybe more). The vagaries of real life can really ruin the contnuity of a game. If WitP were shorter then it could work: maybe on 3 day turns for the present game with the previous criteria I mentioned. There would also have to be house rules that everyone would agree to- and a moderator. I'm afraid I would stay out of it.

[siRkid]

What I would like to see is a multiplayer on-line game. I can’t find my notes on this but it goes something like this.

Players pay a small monthly fee to take control of one of the major HQ. Prices are based on the importance of the HQ.

Matrix or 2by3 would host the game and once a day process a turn and post the replay files.

Each player would be limited to giving orders to units assigned to his HQ.

You would have to use e-mails to convince the guy above you to release resources and assets.

Players would have a dead line to send in their turns and if not received the turn is still processed.

There would be lots of detail to work out like how to assign ships. It could be hosted on a public forum where anyone could download and watch the replay. Discussion threads could be started.

Just a quick thought.

[Drex]

Very interesting suggestion. You would have to play shorter scenarios or 3 day turns and it would still take a long time but it might work with dedicated opponents.

[Mr.Frag]

The interesting aspect of this is that whoever was playing referee could only be providing partial map details to each individual area commander, only the theater level commander would get the full picture. Would add a lot of political infighting! [:D]

[siRkid]

If a lot of work was put into it, you could have an Allied Player only Thread and a Japanese only thread.

Access to only the units below you in the chain of command.

The ability for someone to take over and account so players could come and go.

If a HQ does not have a player, it falls under the next higher HQ.

Maybe one guy in charge of supply.

Air Commanders.

All kinds things could be done.

[MikeH1952]

When Snigbert was testing UV he followed directions from the forum and was still able to make multiple turns per day.
Of course the trick would be finding someone who can follow directions.

Great just like real life!!!

[MikeH1952]

This looks like a great 3-4 year project for a group of about 10 players!!

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: Mike Hayday

This looks like a great 3-4 year project for a group of about 10 players!!

Exactly (I would insert an applicable smiley here, but I hate smileys and don't use them for the same general reasons that I don't vote).

[denisonh]

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

ORIGINAL: Mike Hayday

This looks like a great 3-4 year project for a group of about 10 players!!

Exactly (I would insert an applicable smiley here, but I hate smileys and don't use them for the same general reasons that I don't vote).

So does that mean you didn't vote for "The Terminator" either?

[denisonh]

ORIGINAL: Kid

If a lot of work was put into it, you could have an Allied Player only Thread and a Japanese only thread.

Access to only the units below you in the chain of command.

The ability for someone to take over and account so players could come and go.

If a HQ does not have a player, it falls under the next higher HQ.

Maybe one guy in charge of supply.

Air Commanders.

All kinds things could be done.

Interesting concept, though there may not be a bunch of guys standing in line to be the "guy in charge of supplies".

[bilbow]

That's makes me the head of the line then for the supply job. The whole logistics effort is one of the major attractions for me. I like sinking carriers too, but logistics is really what it was all about.

[mogami]

Hi, The supply guy has the most important job. The supply commander would have a large number of ASW, AA, Engineer units, ships and airgroups under his control

[pasternakski]

Gawd, sounds exciting. Can I change my name to "Kondo" and apply for the job?

[pasternakski]

So does that mean you didn't vote for "The Terminator" either?

Let's just say that "the Governator" failed to pump up my flexorian biceptis electoral digitalis. I have no plans to peruse the two weightlifting magazines he has just become executive editor for, either, even though some good-looking women might be featured in the pectorials...

[mogami]

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

Gawd, sounds exciting. Can I change my name to "Kondo" and apply for the job?

Hi, It might not be exciting but it is most important. I wonder how many players

A. Send the units they want and then worry about suppy or..
B. Check supply and then assign units that can operate from what will be available.

[pasternakski]

Hi, It might not be exciting but it is most important. I wonder how many players

A. Send the units they want and then worry about suppy or..
B. Check supply and then assign units that can operate from what will be available.

I am "B" with the following addition: I plan far enough ahead that my combat forces are supported by adequate supply. I'm no idiot. When the glory party is given, you have to be sure that the celebratory cake is on stage. Award ceremonies are nothing unless Lt. Dreedle has made sure that the medals are on stage in the correct cases and that the presenters know where they are. Doug MacArthur would have laid an egg in Tokyo Bay without logistical support.

But I ain't playing a game where my satisfaction comes from being an efficient bean counter. I'm Rock Torrey, not Broderick.