PBEM Games: PLEASE HELP!!!!

David boutwell · Post by **David boutwell** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 9:37 am

Gentlemen,

I know that you wouldn't think it's possible. I started playing this game in '95, and I've never played a game by email. Well, my brother in Texas has finally gotten himself a computer at home, and now I'm ready to take the big dive. Only problem is, we can't make PBEM work correctly. First, yes, I've read the manual, unless there is a section on PBEM that I missed. Does anyone out there have a detailed set of instructions on PBEM games (one that gives step-by-step procedures for both parties?

Here's what I'm doing....

My brother chose "play-by-email". Then, he chose a scenario. I think it asked him to choose a password before he started his turn. He then played his turn, then saved. He then sent me an email with an attachment of the four files from email003.

I then downloaded them into my email folder and then started the game. I went to play by email, then to load saved game. I clicked on PBEM slot number 3. I was asked, as the German player, to put in a password, which I did. The white text on the bottom right then scrolled down saying, I think, that the files had been saved, and to send the four files to my opponent, then click to continue, which I did...

I was then taken back to the menu screen, why I don't know. I clicked on load saved game again. It asked me if I wanted to override security warning screen and continue. I had no choice but to proceed.

What comes up is the beginning of my opponents first turn!

What am I doing wrong?!!!

The help of the forum would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

David Boutwell

BryanMelvin · Post by **BryanMelvin** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 10:07 am

Sounds like you got it right. Player one - chooses side/units for a batttle game or a scenario the chooses password and sends the turn other player. Player two does the same and deploys if it is a battle game and sends the turn or if it is a scenario - move units and send turn back.

What may have happened is that you chose to play Side Two and you sent the turn which means that Side one has not set up yet..

When system saves game - just send it out - do not try to open it..

David boutwell · Post by **David boutwell** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 10:22 am

Melvin,

In this case, my opponent started an existing scenario, played the opening British turn, and then sent me the four files. When I clicked on email file 003, it addressed the German player, who I assume is player 2 in this case, as the German units are on the right side of the screen.

The problem with the second issue is that the system saved game before I had even played my round. Then it went back to the menu. Then when I tried to load again, it gave me the "override" message, and went to the opening British round when I chose "override".

Thanks,

David Boutwell

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 11:31 am

Starting a new pbem is a bit odd-looking.
When you (player 2) provide the password, that is all you do. The password is saved and it is time to send the files back to player 1.

You had it right.

Note that you both need exactly the same scenario in the same slot.

Have fun.

RichardTheFirst · Post by **RichardTheFirst** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 2:47 pm

David, you have done one error:

Here's what I'm doing....

My brother chose "play-by-email". Then, he chose a scenario. I think it asked him to choose a password before he started his turn. He then played his turn, then saved. He then sent me an email with an attachment of the four files from email003.

I then downloaded them into my email folder and then started the game. I went to play by email, then to load saved game. I clicked on PBEM slot number 3. I was asked, as the German player, to put in a password, which I did. The white text on the bottom right then scrolled down saying, I think, that the files had been saved, and to send the four files to my opponent, then click to continue, which I did...

All correct so far

I was then taken back to the menu screen, why I don't know. I clicked on load saved game again. It asked me if I wanted to override security warning screen and continue. I had no choice but to proceed.

When you end your turn you always return to the menu screen, you now have to wait for your opponent to play before you can load the game again (it means you can now exit the game). If you do that before than the override message appears, whenever that happens by accident always say N-no.

Hope this helps.

Resisti · Post by **Resisti** » Thu Dec 27, 2001 7:40 pm

I think you've been replied correctly and exaustively(correct word,mah?), but let me give you my two cents,too:

sequence in pbems played with random battle is normally as follows:

1)player one(yr brother)set the battle parahmeters, then buy troops, then save and send the files to player two;
2)player two(you), open the files, then buy, then deploy, then send the files back to player one;
3)player one now deploy AND make turn one (player one is always the one making the first move).

What happens to point #2 above when you play a pbem using a scenario instead? It happens that buy and deploy phase it doesnt exist anymore cause it has been already "done" by the scenario designer!
So all you had to do was to open the files, input your password and send them back, which you made well, but for trying then to open again the files after having saved; simply send them back to yr brother who will do his first move,then things will run smoothly.

BTW, let me give you a suggestion: dont use premade scenarios for a pbem. Unless they are specifically designed for 2 human players (there are some of these out there), scenarios are balanced for human vs. AI; this means they are unbalanced if played human vs. human..

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Fri Dec 28, 2001 2:12 am

Good advice from all here. I've always used one of the first ten slots in Save game menu and it has worked for me best that way.

Let us know if you get it resolved, David. Playing another human is a great experience...WB

David boutwell · Post by **David boutwell** » Sat Dec 29, 2001 6:06 am

Just wanted to let you guys know that you solved my problem. I think Richard and Resisti enlightened me to what I was doing wrong. I actually think that hotseat with another player is better, because it is more immediate, but the opportunity to play that way is rare. With PBEM, I'll always be able to find an opponent, and they won't be able to look up from reading the most recent addition to my history library to peek at my current move!

thanks,

Dave boutwell

David boutwell · Post by **David boutwell** » Sat Dec 29, 2001 6:07 am

And thank you guys who replied to private emails, as well!

Dave Boutwell

jonypure · Post by **jonypure** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 4:25 am

Oh my,
I have 2 games, 1 is officialy underway, with my troops deployed and a password choosen I sent off the files. When I got the game back I do everything by the book and threads with no results. Here's what happens:
Download and unzip files to the e-mail folder.
Main menu, pressed Pbem.
Second menu, pressed load-save.
Click on slot 3 (the appropriate slot).
Start button highlights and get pressed.
Start button goes dark and nothing happens.

My other game is not even started yet. I downloaded and unzipped into the appropiate e-mail folder. Pressed all the same buttons as I did before. Then like Boutwell I instantly get the password prompt and the white in the corner telling me to send off the files. Some people say that is all you do, some think that you should deploy and take your first turn while others think that you should should only deploy. For some reason this is all getting very confusing, I've gone back and tried different approaches with no success.

Should we delete the notebook in the E-mail file like it says? Do different versions create problems when mixed? Has by brain simply turned to jello and I just don't know it?

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 4:48 am

When a pbem is first created using a scenario, the thing that is done first is "feed" the passward to SPWAW. After that, you play the turn when you end the turn, the battle automatically saved. You don't get a series of reassuring prompts and messages. It requires a bit of trust the the encryption and autosave is working.

I recently played 2 pbem using V7 and saw no problems whatever - except that I had to trust that the file was saved properly.

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 4:51 am

If the file routine is mysterious to you and you doubt that it is working, try this:

Set up a battle and "play" against yourself. You can then see what the other player sees.

When I first started pbem'ing I actually even zipped up the files and sent them to myself just so I could see and understand what was going on.

jonypure · Post by **jonypure** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 4:56 am

Originally posted by Redleg:
If the file routine is mysterious to you and you doubt that it is working, try this:

Set up a battle and "play" against yourself. You can then see what the other player sees.

When I first started pbem'ing I actually even zipped up the files and sent them to myself just so I could see and understand what was going on.

jonypure · Post by **jonypure** » Wed Jan 02, 2002 4:58 am

Originally posted by Redleg:
If the file routine is mysterious to you and you doubt that it is working, try this:

Set up a battle and "play" against yourself. You can then see what the other player sees.

When I first started pbem'ing I actually even zipped up the files and sent them to myself just so I could see and understand what was going on.

Thanks redleg that is a great idea!
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