Matrix Games Forums

Agree, just started playing PBEM myself, and really enjoying the experience. Just need to start a few games and take it from there. There is nothing like playing a human opponent (or several of them). PO can just get too predictable at times.

For the record I only play wargames via PBEM, except for those initial "learning experiences" where messing around the AI is useful.

However, there are indeed problems with this game mode. Which are basically all to do with the human side.

So I find myself agreeing with Lava here. There is a need with all wargames for a server-based "refereed human vs. human" type of environment. Where you do not get frustrated waiting for turns to arrive and can specify other parameters like experience level, "fun or serious" and so on. With an impartial umpire, namely the management software on the server. Instead of Play by Email you would have "Play via Server" (PvS?).

Unfortunately it's highly unlikely that it's financially viable for any wargame developer to ever make something like this. Though, from what I see of what Ralph Trickey has done so far with TOAW 3, he's not averse to doing things just because they are good ideas (the "hacker ethic"). So there may be hope ...[:)]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

So I find myself agreeing with Lava here. There is a need with all wargames for a server-based "refereed human vs. human" type of environment. Where you do not get frustrated waiting for turns to arrive and can specify other parameters like experience level, "fun or serious" and so on. With an impartial umpire, namely the management software on the server. Instead of Play by Email you would have "Play via Server" (PvS?).

Unfortunately it's highly unlikely that it's financially viable for any wargame developer to ever make something like this. Though, from what I see of what Ralph Trickey has done so far with TOAW 3, he's not averse to doing things just because they are good ideas (the "hacker ethic"). So there may be hope ...[:)]

My instinct is to keep the game playable without needing the involvement of a third party (i.e. a server).

Yes I agree. I was "proposing" the idea as optional add-on functionality. "Tournament Server Mode" or something.

At any rate, it all boils down to personal likes and dislikes in the end. PBEM and solitaire play have both pros and cons and while I'm heavily biased towards PBEM play I can understand where the solitaire players are coming from - without agreeing of course [;)].
But hey, we're not in the days of old when the CoW P.O. was lacking, well, stamina and direction [:D] - the beefed-up Elmer gives TOAW players the best of those two worlds, doesn't it?

Now, what I'd like to know is whether the original poster has made the jump or not?

im looking at getting into a long term pbem game of the western front 44 45 scenario, please see my thread in the opponent finder forum if interested

Hi
Is there a list anywhere of the scenarios that are only meant for PBEM. I have a list of scenarios (on a PDF file), and like the look of the WW2 Eastern Front ones, but they don't indicate if they are PBEM or against the AI. As I don't really know whether I'd take to the idea of PBEM, I'd hate to buy the game knowing the scenarios I was most interested in were not playable against the AI.
If anyone can help, I'd be really grateful.

Thanks

Martin [:)]

Eastern Front -

2nd Battle of Kharkov 1942- PBEM-only
AGS Hungarian Campaign 1944 - PBEM or German PO
Clash of Armor Kursk 1943 - PBEM or PO
Finland 1941 - PBEM or PO
Fire in the East 1941-1945 - PBEM-only
Frozen Steppes 1942-1943 - PBEM or PO
Karelian Isthmus 1944 - PBEM or Soviet PO
Kursk 1943 - PBEM-only
Operation Bagration - PBEM or PO
Operation Barbarossa 1941 - PBEM or Soviet PO
Operation Blau 1942- PBEM or PO
Operation Typoon 1941 - PBEM or PO
Operation Zitadelle 1943 - PBEM or Soviet PO
Petsamo-Kirkenes 1944 - PBEM or PO
Road to Moscow 1941 Series - PBEM or PO
Sevastopol 1941 - PBEM or PO
Soviet Union 1941 - PBEM or PO
Stalingrad to Kharkov 1942-1943 - PBEM or Soviet PO
Wintergewitter 1942 - PBEM or Soviet PO

Hi Chuck

just what was needed! Thanks for digging them out for me

Martin