Multiplayer and AI

[Rakkasan101]

Like many of the people here, I'm really enjoying the game. However, I think that without multiplayer, the game will fall by the wayside, as there is just not enough here to justify returning game after game. It's basically playing a solo game of ASL starter kits, with the added benefit of some concealment of enemy units, and you don't have to remember the rules (Which aren't that hard, com'on guys)

I'm sure I'm not the first guy to think of this, but why not just have a multiplayer mode that has the AI shoot for the defender during the movement phase? During your movement phase, you're really just playing against the computer, and than you email the file back to your opponent, who gets to watch the results before moving back to his fire turn? This would make play-by-email practical, wouldn't it?

Ideally in a game like this, you would set certain defensive fire parameters for your units before the defensive fire phase (Hold Fire, Only at troops in Open, 5> hexes away, etc.) but that is probably beyond the scope of the developer at this juncture.

Now, I know some folks will be all "But the Mph/DFFph is 90% of ASL!". Well, yes. But multiplayer is 100% of ASL. If anything, AI controlled defensive fire would somewhat compensate for the hidden unit factor on the PC, as you can't really sit there and hold your fire until his most important unit moves.

Anyway, those are my thoughts, and they seem possible without having to actually change to much of the game. What do ya'll think?

[iPhoneAppz]

I think that the developer should just implement realtime multiplayer. You can finish basically any scenario in an hour. PBEM has a lot of difficulties in ASL, but realtime multiplayer would work perfectly.

[Wim]

I bought this game yesterday because the web site says 1, 1-2 player (no PBEM). One in-game menu allows for a setting of 'Human' for both sides but how am I supposed to play two-player? On one computer?! I was expecting maybe LAN.

NOT HAPPY!

[Stardog765]

Ya because just implementing realtime multiplayer is like snapping your fingers.

[DoubleDeuce]

The 2 players is actually hotseat which is 2 people sitting at the same machine. I agree though it probably should have been clearer on the product page.

[MrsWargamer]

ORIGINAL: wim_ouds@yahoo.ca

I bought this game yesterday because the web site says 1, 1-2 player (no PBEM). One in-game menu allows for a setting of 'Human' for both sides but how am I supposed to play two-player? On one computer?! I was expecting maybe LAN.

NOT HAPPY!

I told ya the product page was not worded adequately.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

As Peter said in one of his posts, ". . . [t]he game has only been out for 5 days, my goal for the near future will be to first focus on squashing all the bugs. Make the game as bug free as possible, during this time based on your feedback we can identify together areas where AI could improve. After that my focus will be on expansion and new features. . . ." So, I guess multiplayer is probably on the cards. We'll just have to wait for a while. In any case, in my view, work on improving AI has some merit and doesn't rule out developing a multiplayer functionality. They simply aren't mutually exclusive.

[waltero]

I think we should allow Peter to breath easy...and take this game where know game has gone before.

Have some faith. We pushed for Multiplayer and it is a no go. Allow Peter's Genius to flow freely.
I certainly hope Peter does not get burned out with all the negative feedback involving the AI, first.
Now is the time to think Positive.

Have any good Ideas for the AI?

[fogrob]

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

[MikeMarchant_ssl]

ORIGINAL: fogrob

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

I really don't think Teamviewer is the answer here. For people who know each other really well and trust each other, perhaps. But this is not the sort of multi-player that the vast majority of gamers are going to have any interest in and so won't provide the long term interest in the game than any game needs to survive outside a small group of hardcore players.

I'd also like to add a note of serious caution here. I don't know if any children (ie under 18s) play this game, but if they do they are putting themselves at risk if they use Teamviewer. If we're to be responsible we do not want to be encouraging young people to be using Teamviewer with people they may think they can trust, but lack adequate judgement and restraint to make a responsible decision about that.

As someone involved in child safety issues I can assure you that if there was an unfortunate incident as a result of this, the media would slaughter TotH and everyone involved in encouraging the use of Teamviewer with it. Please remember, the media are not fair, they are not responsible, and they do not care how many innocent people they hurt.

I think advocating the use of Teamviewer is not only irresponsible, but also very dangerous.


Best Wishes

Mike

[MrsWargamer]

ORIGINAL: MikeMarchant_ssl

ORIGINAL: fogrob

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

I really don't think Teamviewer is the answer here. For people who know each other really well and trust each other, perhaps. But this is not the sort of multi-player that the vast majority of gamers are going to have any interest in and so won't provide the long term interest in the game than any game needs to survive outside a small group of hardcore players.

I'd also like to add a note of serious caution here. I don't know if any children (ie under 18s) play this game, but if they do they are putting themselves at risk if they use Teamviewer. If we're to be responsible we do not want to be encouraging young people to be using Teamviewer with people they may think they can trust, but lack adequate judgement and restraint to make a responsible decision about that.

As someone involved in child safety issues I can assure you that if there was an unfortunate incident as a result of this, the media would slaughter TotH and everyone involved in encouraging the use of Teamviewer with it. Please remember, the media are not fair, they are not responsible, and they do not care how many innocent people they hurt.

I think advocating the use of Teamviewer is not only irresponsible, but also very dangerous.


Best Wishes

Mike

I was going to say I 'thought' that was excessive (the child safety issues), but decided, NO, that IS excessive.

No, really. Child safety issues? Children playing Tigers on the Hunt? Really.

First some REAL world facts. Most 'children' will know more about their computer than the average geriatric war gamer. Most parents will likely know less about computer safety than today's youths. And you think they can't play a war game safely with a program like Teamviewer? Yeah my son is likely still behind me when it comes to actually physically building the darned computer, but, it's been years since I taught him squat. He teaches ME now.

But the funniest part if getting a 'child' to play TotH. Oh really. Spare me any comments about how you might have accomplished this wondrous feat. It doesn't provide a basis for a sweeping declaration of child safety issues.

It's a war game for old men (and a couple of women). I can't say I am aware of ANY war game I could get a person under 30 to play actually. And to me 30 somethings are kids for that matter.

If you don't like the TeamViewer notion, just say it.

I really get disgusted when people use the "think of the children" garbage. Most children are smarter and more open minded than most of the adult world.

[Brenmusik]

I think children playing TotH is not what Mike is alluding to!

[MrsWargamer]

"I'd also like to add a note of serious caution here. I don't know if any children (ie under 18s) play this game, but if they do they are putting themselves at risk if they use Teamviewer."

He was alluding to anything, he made it quite clear.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

ORIGINAL: fogrob

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

I still don't get how it that supposed to help to play TotH multiplayer... [&:]

[MrsWargamer]

ORIGINAL: Freyr Oakenshield

ORIGINAL: fogrob

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

I still don't get how it that supposed to help to play TotH multiplayer... [&:]

Teamviewer is software that allows a remote user access to the computer. Thus it is identical to having a person sitting beside you. You can move the mouse and they can move the mouse. Thus it's defacto hotseat.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

ORIGINAL: MrsWargamer

ORIGINAL: Freyr Oakenshield

ORIGINAL: fogrob

Don't forget guys, as suggested by idjester, you can use Teamviewer to play multiplayer until a better solution comes along.

I still don't get how it that supposed to help to play TotH multiplayer... [&:]

Teamviewer is software that allows a remote user access to the computer. Thus it is identical to having a person sitting beside you. You can move the mouse and they can move the mouse. Thus it's defacto hotseat.

Aha... I would never ever allow anybody remote access to my computer; so to my mind, it's rather a crappy alternative... And you know what -- I don't think it will be popular... [;)]

[Gerry4321]

This is the big problem with it. These systems open ports on your computer. So there is a valid security concern.

[Rakkasan101]

The OP (me) is right at thirty, and I've been playing games like this for years. I could natter all day about Millennials in wargames, but that's a different thread.

[Freyr Oakenshield]

Yeah, but it doesn't mean this is a safe way of playing; you must be very lucky...

Nik Wallenda has also been very lucky, walking a tightrope many times, still alive; but I would never follow in his footsteps...

[idjester]

As far as security goes teamviewer is safer than walking around with your phone which can be hacked by anyone... I do understand everyone concerns about security but really how many people are you going to get to play Tigers on the Hunt and also be a internet hacker?

First off if your willing to play with someone on the internet is perosn isn't probably going to be some unknown person you just happen to randomly meet, you will probably meet up and message back and forth to setup a time and day, ect...

Second if you get connected to another person they can only see your screen (or whatever you are sharing with them). That doens't mean they can just start clicking around in your computer. Geez people, Teamviewer isn't a "OK I open my computer up and you can do whatever you want to it"... Come on!! Talk about over reacting. If you feel like something is wrong you can always end the session but really how do you even think that is going to happen?

Lastly, if you are going to be hacked or have your computer broken into it won't be because of Teamviewer, it will be bacause you got some malware or virus on your computer. I just love how people overthink everything and use the excuse of "security" as the reason why.

Even the Slitherine PBEM server opens port 80 on your computer, Are you worried about getting hacked while using their service? Come on people, let's be realistic here and stop the nonsense.

Here is the extra security that teamviewer uses which is 80% more that any random program you will ever use does.....

TeamViewer includes encryption based on 2048 RSA private-/public key exchange and AES (256 bit) session encryption. This technology is based on the same standards as https/SSL and meets today's standards for security. The key exchange also guarantees full, client-to-client data protection. This means that even our routing servers are not able to read the data stream.

In addition to the Partner ID, TeamViewer generates a session password that changes with every software start in order to provide additional security against unauthorized access to a remote system. Security relevant functions like file transfer require additional, manual confirmation from the remote partner. Also, it is not possible to invisibly control a computer. For data protection reasons, the person sitting at the remote computer has to be able to detect when someone is accessing the machine.

All program files are secured using VeriSign code signing technology. This allows you to verify the origin of the executables you have received.

TeamViewer assists companies with their HIPAA and PCI compliance requirements. Two-factor authentication adds an additional security layer to protect TeamViewer accounts from unauthorized access. In combination with access control through white listing, TeamViewer assists you in getting HIPAA and PCI ready. With two-factor authentication, a code generated on a mobile device is needed, in addition to username and password, in order to sign in to a TeamViewer account. The code is generated via the time-based one-time password (TOTP) algorithm. The TOTP code is protected by SRP and is thus perfectly safe from man in the middle attacks.