Matrix Games Forums

I was wondering, when you PBEM is the complete scenario data embedded in the .PBL file? The reason I ask is in the case of playing a converted CoW scenario, does player 2 need to actually go and get the scen too?

Both players need copies of the same scenario and same version using same platform (TOAWIII). That might mean one player needs to convert from ACOW and send the SCE to the other.

Only P1 needs a copy of the scenario to start the game. The scenario is "embedded".

Thanks, that's how I thought it would work. Makes sense.

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM
Only P1 needs a copy of the scenario to start the game. The scenario is "embedded".

Is that new in TOAWIII? Used to be both needed a copy in ACOW IIRC. This thing better get here fast so I can start dishing out correct replies. Also what about hotseating a game prior to PBEM- would you still need your own P2 copy of the SCE to do that?

Thanks.

ORIGINAL: General Staff

Is that new in TOAWIII? Used to be both needed a copy in ACOW IIRC.

Nope. That was just Commie propaganda. Both PBM and regular SAV files include all scenario data; the SCE file is not referenced at any time after the scenario is first opened.

Thanks. Apologies for misinformation. Guess I never really thought about it, since I always play hotseat to get a handle on things before venturing PBEM. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but you would need a copy of the SCE file to do that.

ORIGINAL: General Staff

Thanks. Apologies for misinformation. Guess I never really thought about it, since I always play hotseat to get a handle on things before venturing PBEM. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but you would need a copy of the SCE file to do that.

Yes indeed, as you start from scratch, so to speak.

When you play pbem the game creates a SCE file along with the PBL file.  I've never thought about it but can you open that SCE file (since I've never tried I'm asking here and I'm not at my gaming puter) ??
 
If so is that what you mean by playing a move hot-seat to "get a handle on things" before playing your move?  You're opening up the SCE file of a PBEM game? 

ORIGINAL: hank
When you play pbem the game creates a SCE file along with the PBL file.  I've never thought about it but can you open that SCE file (since I've never tried I'm asking here and I'm not at my gaming puter) ??

You can no longer open PBL files with the Scenario Editor. When you start a PBEM game, the necessary data from the SCE file is included in the SAL and PBL files that are created by the program. Thus, since you have the data from the SCE "embedded" in the saved files, there is no need for P2 to have a copy of the SCE file, though good gaming ethics dictate that he should.

ORIGINAL: hank
If so is that what you mean by playing a move hot-seat to "get a handle on things" before playing your move? You're opening up the SCE file of a PBEM game?

What he means by playing hotseat to get a handle on things, is to do a "dry-run" on the scenario by playing it solo, in hotseat mode, to see where forces are positioned, what sort of reinforcement schedules are present, replacements, events, etc. You know, sort of like General Staffs worldwide do in their peacetime contingency planning, and...wargaming...[;)]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

You can no longer open PBL files with the Scenario Editor.

Ah- I was wondering about that. Presumably this is also true of the associated .sav or .sal files?

Yes.

To add to that, or subtract, as the case may be, there are no .SAV files in TOAW III, as it is strictly an Opart 300 derived engine, that is available.

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

ORIGINAL: hank
If so is that what you mean by playing a move hot-seat to "get a handle on things" before playing your move? You're opening up the SCE file of a PBEM game?

What he means by playing hotseat to get a handle on things, is to do a "dry-run" on the scenario by playing it solo, in hotseat mode, to see where forces are positioned, what sort of reinforcement schedules are present, replacements, events, etc. You know, sort of like General Staffs worldwide do in their peacetime contingency planning, and...wargaming...[;)]

Hopefully you can do that against Elmer (the AI) now too as well as hot seat for many scenaros.

To further confuse things, if you're using scenario specific graphics, these are NOT sent with the save game, and these will need to be installed separately, I'm afraid.

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

To add to that, or subtract, as the case may be, there are no .SAV files in TOAW III, as it is strictly an Opart 300 derived engine, that is available.

Yeah, I thought so.