please change the PBEM system

[Manfred]

here's the situation :
we launched a PBEM game, and one of the players had to change computer during the game.
when he launches the game again, he has to go through all the already played phases, but when his turns arrive, he cannot load the file for his own country (the one that was in the commout section). I have not found how to go through that (you can proceed by playing your turn again, but then you will have a delta between your turn and the others)
BTW, it would be wayyyy better if all players could just load a pbem game with only ONE file (the same file for everyone) and then just select the country and enter the password and be at the actual phase/turn.

[ecn1]

I had to change computers this week, it was really easy - thus I am not sure of the problem or if I am misunderstanding your post

simply move the 2 pbem saved game files (.sav and .dat) to the saved games folder on the new computer

move the files from the commin folder...

load the save file on the new computer...it should be where he left off cause it autosaves every round when you play

now, if you totally had a system failure, or cant get files off the old hard drive, thats a problem, and you really cant do anything about it other than have him do each turn over again exactly how he did originally, and load the next players, etc...

erik

[DCWhitworth]

I too have moved PBEM games between my home and work computers (and back again) and have had no issues.

[Murat]

The host can send out a resynch file which would get you to whichever turn the host last loaded. I have been through multiple reloads and it always worked out fine. Just make sure the Host loads all the move files BEFORE they create the backup.

[La Provence]

I think that the PBEM system is as much poor as the AI [:(]
 
Another thought would be more efficient.
Simultaneous DIPLO / REINFORCEMENT / ECO (when happen) phases are possible easily.
 
And some condition could be applied to Naval and Land Phase like :
 
IF    -Argument-   THEN      -Action-                  
(similar system than Naval Order ; presented in a specific window like Diplo)
 
Exemple :    IF    Fleet Blockaded   THEN    Stay in port / Don't Move
(Like this, it would be possible to skip French naval phase....and/or Pruss and Autr Naval phase because no fleet !)
 
With a system like that, the speed PBEM game is x3 or 4    ! ! ! !

[Murat]

Hosts can skip a phase for any player that wishes it but then again that player would need to tel the host and by that time they could have logged in and clicked 'end turn' themselves and mailed out the file.  I am thinking of trying to get a 'game night' going since I have heard that other PBEM games have this so that at least once each week there is a night when a lot gets done.

[dodod]

la provence has the best short term solution.  The diplomatic, reinforcement, and econ phases can be consolidated with one file, in order of the diplomacy phases.  This would save an inordinate amount of time and perhaps can be performed at the same time!! and submitted to the program in order.

[Grognot]

The placement of reinforcements can easily depend on the outcome of the diplomatic phase.  In addition, the diplomatic phase can depend on the economic phase, because borders, unit strength, and unit location can all change then.  I would not recommend merging them.

[dodod]

good point, but I think the best idea is to have everyone do each phase together rather than wait for the prior person.  There is no change in diplomacy if we don't know what others' diplomacy is

[fvianello]

I agree on playing the diplomatic and economic phases all together (no sequence), but reinforcements should have a sequence. Placement of corps and garrisons can influence the next player's decisions.

[Marshall Ellis]

This might be difficult to play "parts" of the game simultaneously and others IGO-UGO. The engine in this PBEM design runs off of a "who has the ball" method. While I agree that turn order does not really matter in Diplomacy or Economics, I'm just not sure how much time this would save anyway? Keep in mind that I'm curious and will look into it but don't want to say yea or nay yet...