PBEM questions?

[general billy]

What do you guys think about the PBEM setup in this game? No passwords? Does both players get the same log and messages?

I read some of it in the manual, I will consider taking up a PBEM game when I have mastered the AI.

So I like to know what people think about it.

Thanks

[von Beanie]

It works adequately, but apparently does not prevent cheating by the host. I haven't recognized a cheating problem in any of my games, only the occasional gamey move.

Both sides get to see the same messages, but the host gets to see it in "real time." It doesn't make any difference, since I only look at the ! messages most of the time, whether I'm the host or not.

Having played several full PBEM games of BOA and AACW, I haven't had any problems other than discovering that the PBEM back-up files only cover the first 24 turns of the game. If you have a serious problem after turn 24 you can't recover the game unless you are willing to return to turn 24 (unless things have changed in the last few weeks).

[general billy]

Do you know if there will be any future developments to the PBEM system, it be somthing good to wait on [:D]

[scout1]

since you've brought up pbem ....

player 1 starts the game
player 1 sends turn to player 2 (*.trn) before/after doing anything ? not clear
player 1 waits for turn/file to be returned by player 2 before doing anything ?

I'm confused .....[&:]

[von Beanie]

Here's the procedure:

One person is the host. They start the game with the options that have been decided on. Make sure you select PBEM, and choose the side you want to play as normal.

First, the host sends his opponent the opponent's file (CSA or USA as appropriate) that has the .trn extension.

The host can then play his part of the turn, but does NOT hit the end of turn button. Rather he saves the file. When your opponent returns the file (it will now have the .ord extension), the host copies it into the current game directory. The host will know that he has done this correctly if the red lock is shown on the opponent's file. If the red lock doesn't appear, something is wrong and your opponent's orders will be ignored (by default everything sits still and your opponent will be pissed off). The host then loads the saved game normally and hits the end of turn button. Then you repeat this process for all of the upcoming turns.

(Alternatively, the host can wait to make his moves until he has received and loaded the opponent's file--that way the host loads the opponent's file first and can hit the "end of turn" button when he's done plotting his moves). I prefer this method because I sometimes forget to NOT hit the end of turn button.

The non-host player simply loads the file he receives, makes his moves, then hits the "end of turn" button. This creates a new file with a .ord extension. He emails this file back to the host. There's no need to zip any of the files.

It's a very easy process when you get used to it. I have played many complete BOA and AACW PBEM games without problems.

[general billy]

Thanks for the excellent explanation on PBEM. So at the present moment the host could technically open your turn and see your units, It would be nice to have a future password system just to ease the mind about possible cheating.

[von Beanie]

I don't think the problem is seeing your units. He could make multiple copies and play the turn to see where things go wrong. It wouldn't be hard to make a different, more competent move to counteract what happened. Adding passwords won't help this.

Recently I saw a thread on the PBEM (in)security issue, but perhaps that was on the AGEOD website. Some good ideas were proposed to improve the game security to avoid these types of issues--but it would require some significant changes to the system. In the meantime, go ahead and play the game against a trustworthy opponent because its a fun and challenging game. In some of my games we exchange files within the hour, and sometimes every 30 minutes. By itself the rapid turnaround is evidence that no one is trying to cheat.

[scout1]

ORIGINAL: von Beanie

Here's the procedure:

One person is the host. They start the game with the options that have been decided on. Make sure you select PBEM, and choose the side you want to play as normal.

First, the host sends his opponent the opponent's file (CSA or USA as appropriate) that has the .trn extension.

The host can then play his part of the turn, but does NOT hit the end of turn button. Rather he saves the file. When your opponent returns the file (it will now have the .ord extension), the host copies it into the current game directory. The host will know that he has done this correctly if the red lock is shown on the opponent's file. If the red lock doesn't appear, something is wrong and your opponent's orders will be ignored (by default everything sits still and your opponent will be pissed off). The host then loads the saved game normally and hits the end of turn button. Then you repeat this process for all of the upcoming turns.

(Alternatively, the host can wait to make his moves until he has received and loaded the opponent's file--that way the host loads the opponent's file first and can hit the "end of turn" button when he's done plotting his moves). I prefer this method because I sometimes forget to NOT hit the end of turn button.

The non-host player simply loads the file he receives, makes his moves, then hits the "end of turn" button. This creates a new file with a .ord extension. He emails this file back to the host. There's no need to zip any of the files.

It's a very easy process when you get used to it. I have played many complete BOA and AACW PBEM games without problems.

just where do you select pbem ? Didn't see this s an option anywhere ...

[von Beanie]

I stand corrected. There isn't a PBEM selection. Please accept my apologies.
I do turn off the AI, but I'm not sure that's necessary.

[scout1]

ok, let's run the basics (assuming I'm the Union) and choose not to make any orders until I get the csa file back .....

1) I start a new game and save it
2) ACW starts a new folder
3) I email the csa folder to my opponent
4) I wait for the ord file back
5) Once I get it back, where (exactly) do I put the ord file ?
6) I copy/overwrite the ord file with the new one
7) I run my turn and hit end of turn
8) I send the csa file back to my opponent and it starts all over


What have I missed ?

[Crimguy]

Scout - follow the instructions in the manual to a "T" and you'll be ok.

I.E., make a folder specific to your save game, e.g. "scout-raverdavepbem".  Place all your saves in that folder.

If you're not the host, every time you're done making moves, save the game (Cntl-click the save button for a custom name) and send the newly-created .ord file to your opponent.  He receives that, runs the turn, then sends the newly-created .trn file to you.  You review the past turn, make your moves, then repeat.

I find the system a bit confusing, and hope there can be more of a witp-style pbem system.  I still maintain the best is in Flashpoint Germany.

[Crimguy]

You do not have to send the whole folder, just the .trn file within the folder.
1) If you're playing as the USA, send the "yourfilename~csa.trn" file to your opponent.
2) Make any moves you like at this time and save your turn (DO NOT HIT END TURN).
3) Your opponent meanwhile sends you an ord file back when he's done making moves.
4) You place the ord file in the folder for your saved game, overwriting any previous file. You then hit "end turn" and see what happens.

ORIGINAL: scout1

ok, let's run the basics (assuming I'm the Union) and choose not to make any orders until I get the csa file back .....

1) I start a new game and save it
2) ACW starts a new folder
3) I email the csa folder to my opponent
4) I wait for the ord file back
5) Once I get it back, where (exactly) do I put the ord file ?
6) I copy/overwrite the ord file with the new one
7) I run my turn and hit end of turn
8) I send the csa file back to my opponent and it starts all over


What have I missed ?

[scout1]

I'm guessing I can't read or follow directions ....

I send "a" *.trn file to my opponent (if I'm the USA, do I send the CSA or the USA *.trn) ? I'm the host ....

Then can I create a separate folder later on and dump the returned ord file(s) into it ?

My opponent sent his ord as part of a zip file, contents listed it as an ord file, unzipping also added a txt extension. Game doesn't see/recognize it ? What if I later create a new directory within the save folder structure, how to I direct the game to go and look elsewhere ?

I admit, the witp style of pbem file transfer appears more straightforward ..... But then again, it must be me as few others are complaining about problems .....

[Pocus]

My memory is hazy, I have not played witp much anyway, is the game with a sequential turn based engine or simultaneous one as AACW? 

[von Beanie]

I send "a" *.trn file to my opponent (if I'm the USA, do I send the CSA or the USA *.trn) ? I'm the host ....

Then can I create a separate folder later on and dump the returned ord file(s) into it ?

My opponent sent his ord as part of a zip file, contents listed it as an ord file, unzipping also added a txt extension. Game doesn't see/recognize it ? What if I later create a new directory within the save folder structure, how to I direct the game to go and look elsewhere ?

If you are the USA player, you send the CSA.trn file to your opponent. He should return a file labeled CSA.ord file. You copy it into the game "save" folder and make your moves if you haven't already done so. Then you hit "end of turn" and repeat this process. If zipping the files creates problems, don't zip them. I mentioned above that there's no need to zip them.

Pocus: WITP is a simultaneous move game. It's not any easier to do than your system (because the host has to remember to send two different files), but it has the advantage of adding passwords to the files, and the system creates a seed that prevents altering the turn outcome by reloading files. In other words, it prevents obvious cheating as far as I can tell.

[scout1]

Kinda correct .... (me thinks)


Witp is an IGOYOUGO system that trades at least 1 file, usually 2, but can be 4 files. Typical file sizes are 1.4M for the entire mess, but no less than 1M for the min. All scenario files go into the save game directory with a unique number/extension. The player then loads whatever file he chooses to play that time (could be repeated for multiple independent games). Game runs through the "playback file" to generate the turn, each player then can later
a) watch it in detail or
b) read the combat report that provides "some" but not all info ....