Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I believe Jabber notification works for games that have been restarted since now... sorry for the noise I have been making for some of you http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Also, I believe I have now fixed the "game-restarted-mean-everyones-turns-are-lost"

In other words, the only disadvantage with restarting games should now be that the hosting interval is restarted, so the next (forced) turn generation will be postponed. Oh yeah, and anybody connected will probably find that their client is crashed http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

The karan_dry map apparantly isn't on my system, and I couldn't find the map anywhere with a quick search. Either select another map, or upload the a correct Version of karan_dry:

Make a zip file, containiing
karan_dry.map
karan_dry.tga

The tga file MUST be named the same as the map file.

Look at the bright side --- now nearly everything that could go wrong has gone wrong :-(

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Several of us playing on my Pandemonium2 are having increasing difficulty connecting to this game, while not other games on mosehansen. Would restarting the game be likely to have any positive effect on this?

Also, we have one player who has the habit of staying connected for 24+ hr stretches. Could this be a contributing factor?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I anticipate that could contribute, definately. Each process tends to only have a certain number of sockets open / available, depending both on the host machine's settings and the code implementation. Someone keeping a socket (or stream) tied up continuously is not a good or smart thing.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Some people report a positive effect when restarting, so you could definitely try if you want. The disadvantage of restarting is low in any case, the only thing that should happen is that the tine to next host is reset, so that the next hosting will be delayed.

As to the other, the server wouldn't care of you opened and used a 1000 sockets simultaneously for 24h... linux is doing a bloody amazing job in this area. The dominions2 program could have, but as it is closed source I'm in no position to tell.

If you want, you could alert Johan to the problem. He has earlier expressed interest in fixing this, but he was unable to reproduce it. You could ask if a running exec exhibiting the problem could help the diagnosis.

Hope it helps :-/

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I have squashed a bug that could cause Dominions to hang when using the network. So hopefully it will work more reliably after the upcoming patch.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

The player who was continuously connected stopped doing that promptly, when I asked him to. Since then, several players have reported their connectivity problems going away. Could be coincidence though - hard to say.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

That would be beyond cool! That bug is 50% of the complaints about the server. Kudos...

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Esben - Are you going to upgrade your server to 2.14?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Done. Except that now the server requires libsdl. Oh well, I'm installing now.... emerge -av libsdl, wait, done. Gotta love linux http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

I'll see when I can code up something to support mods and the new switches. Tonight, I'm too tired. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Forgive my opaqueness, but just to be sure, this means all current mosehansen games are now being run under 2.14, correct?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

And if so, should we update our game before connecting for a new turn?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Esben,

I hate to post anything remotely critical about an excellent public service that you've provided out of pure generosity. But the fact is that it is a public service, so...

Next time, would you consider making an announcement about Version updates before you implement them, and give people some time to read the announcement and prepare for the changes? Although at the moment I'm an obsessed DomII addict who checks these forums and mosehansen several times a day, I'm dimly aware that there are some who don't. Given that this patch makes gameplay changes (e.g. gem-creating items) and will inevitably cause compatibility worries (thus the multiple Posts on these forums worrying about whether turns will fail), I think it would have been really helpful to give people a couple of days notice before it happened.

Thanks once again for the server and the service.

Mark

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Schmoe; my understanding is that Versions 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 are compatible and turns sumbitted in the "wrong" Version will still work correctly. The only issue is that battle replays may not display correctly (though the final result in the message screen will still be right). Hope that makes sense.

Mark

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I think its a good rule: patch out -> upgrade.

Many people wouldn't see an announcement. A new patch is a more common information.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Seems to me that all my double-stacked fetishes and clams and what not are still working under 2.14, so I dont think there is much need to panic.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Really? Look at the fact that so many people and games _didn't_ upgrade to 2.13, because of potential problems that turned out to be potentially game-destroying bugs.

Not to mention that if someone was playing and not bothering to look here, they'd have no idea that a new patch was out. And since there's no way to tell what Version the host is running....

I definately agree that there should in general be some announcement and notification about upgrades.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

It says on the "Welcome Page" what Version the server is running (it's 2.14 today... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Actually, I'm starting to wonder if our turns really ran under 2.14. I saw the infamous bogus battle report when I looked at my most recently run turn via 2.14, and the battle report was fine when I viewed under 2.12?

This turn was in the game Live and Learn, and was definitely hosted after Esben posted his upgrade notice.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Calmon: The trouble is, that isn't (and can't realistically be) the rule. See for example what happened - or didn't happen - around the 2.13 patch. What actually happens is that a patch comes out and we wait for Esben to announce when he's going to upgrade. In this case, he announced that he already had upgraded, and I think that was just a bit too fast for some people.

I didn't have any clam hoards to worry about, and was already aware that that 2.12,2.13 and 2.14 turn files were compatible. But that's clearly not been the case for all players here, and I think it would have been best if they had had a chance to have their questions answered before the upgrade happened.

It's not a big deal, certainly not a disaster. But it could have been done slightly better IMO.

Mark

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I'm sorry for the worry I have created. The reality is even more fun. The games you are player are most likely still at 2.12.. The Version only changes after a restart, which is why i didn't feel an advance warning was necessary. As the Version the games were started on is available nowhere there is no good way to know which Version you should use. Isn't that fun?

Actually, in the old days, IllWinter made the patches so that playing with different Versions were impossible. I liked that better http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

To solve the problem now, I could kill every single game, but in such a way that all games will appear to still be running. Then the game owners can restart when they feel they are ready. In this way, the game slots cannot be stolen.

Is that a better way to do the upgrades?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Hmm, so you're saying that in fact all games are still running on 2.12 until the owners decide to restart? I suppose that should have been obvious, but I didn't really think about it.

In that case I take it back. You just announce that you've installed the upgrade, and every game can decide when they want to change Versions (though I guess circumstances might force their hands)

I guess we'll all be a bit clearer on how it works next time it happens.

Mark

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Esben Mose Hansen,

you rock. It's just that simple.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

esben does rock

but you know how he could rock even harder? by implementing a "force to anonymous" option or some other sort of force kick. Too often someone joins but doesn't register in the thread, and so ignores a game's special rules. I've almost needed to have this option before, and the only way at the moment is to nuke the whole game and recreate it...

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Just drop me an email or PM when you need to do this. At some point I'll get annoyed enough to implement it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

lol heh thanks esben

:p

though really, what would be great now that zen is coming out w/ these very interesting "conceptual balance" mods, is integrating a mod dropdown menu in game creation...

;-)

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

That I will make, as soon as I find the time to do so. That should shut up 95% of the "I hate [clams/VQ/False Horror/...] threads until they are backed up by testing :-D

Besides, the code is essentially the same as for maps, so it shouldn't be that hard to do.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Several people (all?) cannot get past the waiting for game data screen on on the Musical Chairs game...I know this problem happens once in a while and the workaround is to just keep trying and eventually you get past it but that doesn't seem to be working now...I am wondering if the new patch has made this intermittent problem harder to get past...

Any other games/players having this problem?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

no, the fix is almost always to have the owner of the game stop and restart the game.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

As an extra bonus, this should bring the game to 2.14, where another network bug should have been squashed... so maybe the problem will disappear all together http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Well, if you aren't having players persistently try to get past the Waiting for Game data screen by killing the process and trying to reconnect for at least 5 or 6 times in a row then you are missing a solution that works for many of us most of the time.

But the more important question I suppose is was it really necessary for you to come across as a know it all *** in your reply? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/shock.gif If you have alternate information there are better, more polite ways to communicate it than the terse slap down approach you chose to use - which this community is largely devoid of and most of us would like to keep that way.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

That's a workaround, a kludge, not a solution.

He gave the information. He didn't use any bad words. He didn't insult anyone. What's your problem? That he didn't say "Golly gee, did you know that there might be another way of doing things" and go on and on at saccharine length?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Take a deep breath. I think you've misinterpreted the meaning of archaeolept's reply, and I'm sure you've misinterpreted the tone.

He meant that the game owner - the person who set up the game on the mosehansen server - has the option to stop and restart the game process that's running on the server. The "waiting for game" data problem is one that many of us have run into at some time. Restarting the game on mosehansen generally fixes it.

Mark

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Problem: I can't connect to a game.

Until yesterday evening there haven't ever been any problems but this evening my Dom 2 can't connect.
My game, ar dom2.mosehansen.dk is at port 230l. Dom 2 hangs on "waiting game info".

Any clues?
Thanks

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Now it goes all well. I reinstalled the game. i don't know if it was my game or perhaps Mosehansen was down.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

It's a well known problem, which has nothing to do with my server. My server hasn't been down for some time now.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Could you tell me a link or a keyword to find the appropriate thread for this well known problem?

Thank you

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Well, this thread is one such. Otherwise, try "waiting for game info". The solution is to kill the client, restart and tryagain. Supposedly, it also help to restart the game on the server. Also supposedly, this may have been fixed in 2.14. Sorry for being so blunt.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

My game Newbiegame 3 restart crashed Last turn when i did my turn ( i was Last ) . Now it is shown as stopped .
I clicked once restart then after 2 minutes it is shown as stopped again .

Can you please help me what to do to get it running again ?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Dry Lands is finished, now its slot can be probably reused for some new game.

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Newbie game start 3 was crashed with a "Something went wrong"... and then the word "pillager". Don't know what that is about. :-( I'll look into it later, but maybe you should contact Illwinter and hear if it means anything to them. Apparantly, it happens around a new turn generation. I can provide the game files no problem for error diagnostics.

The other finished game will be stopped at earliest convenience if It is not already http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Thnx Esben . I just got the error msg server connection broken when i ended my turn and then the game was set to stopped . I will make a thread hopefully it helps something http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Esben,

is there any way to run on your server with a mod? Or does the command line Version not support that yet?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

The 2.14 Version support mods, but I haven't yet made the infrastructure on the server. I will, but real life is currently quite full...

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

Esben, I just wanted to point out that this feature would get some use in a number of cases where the game owner was not forced to PM you in order to get the person off. Although I've never once been forced to PM you to get someone off, if this feature existed I'm sure that I would have used it four or five times in the course of the four games I've started up. IMO, it's something that could speed up game start times by a day or so, and would reduce the frequency of borked pretender uploads.

That's not to say that this feature should be a top priority. I'm sure most of us would rather see your very valuable time used to implement the mod dropdown option. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I'm just trying to say that if you're not getting any PMs, that does not indicate that this is a zero-value feature.

BTW, shouldn't we get this thread moved to the new Server-Multiplayer forum?

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

I'm aware that people don't call on me every time there is a problem, but I have to date received less than 3 request to kick somebody, so the demand seems to be less than spectacular.

And yes, mods are my first priority. My second is the two "new" victory conditions.

As to what forums this thread belongs, I must say that I don't know. I my head this just proves that whenever you try to partition some set, some members are hard to place http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Anyways, since the Moderators have left it here, I guess this means we're staying here for now.

Take care!

Re: New & raw web based Dominion II game server
 

The Game Low Magic game 3 is now concluded. odd_enuf the owning player was eliminated quite awhile ago and I do not know if he is around to change the game status to stopped. The victory condition has however been met, with Ermor conquering the requisite number of Victory Point Provinces and completly eliminating all but one other opponent who just announced a switch to AI.

So this game can be stopped and thus open another spot on the server.

This thread is dead, now.
 

Hi,

just as a heads up, I'll not be visiting these forums any more, so this thread is basically pointless and should be locked, now. My server will stay up for now, but will likely host a reduced number of games sometime in the future. Eventually, the server may be reduced to a private one depending on what other stuff I may be hosting on from it.

No games will be forcefully killed because of this.

If you need help, please email me. I will not read any PM in this system, mostly because the system doesn't work very well.

Bye, and thanks for all the fish.

Re: This thread is dead, now.
 

Sorry you're leaving Esben - your server has been a great resource for everyone playing dominions II. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this.

Re: This thread is dead, now.
 

OK, one thing I did forget to say and then I really will be going: I have not updated the sources posted on my site recently. This is because no-one has shown much interest in setting up a similar server. Anyways, if anybody would like the code, it is still released under the GPL (free as in beer and free as in freedom), but email me first to get the latest code. Which is actually 2 sets of code: My current beta (which has 60% integrated forums and a preliminary mod support) and the current stable (which is what you see).

A basic rundown on what you need:

Software:
A modern OS (Capable of fork() and pseudo-tty's. Which means: If you can get IO-TTY working (it's a Perl package), you're set. I doubt windows can do this, but I don't know this.)
Perl (I use 5.8.2, but I doubt this would be required)
Mysql (It would be trivial to recode for another db, the db interface is one file < 300 lines)
Apache (or another HTTP server capable of SSL and Perl-CGI, but do yourself a service and use the best HTTP-server out there.)

Hardware:
A permanent IP address (or at least a properly configured dyndns)
Some RAM (256MB is about 20 games with lots of swap)
Any processor (my load was less than 0.01, though turn genration could take a bit of time)

Human resources
A bit of time for the admin (I spent less than 30min a week for this, so it's not a huge load, but still)
Willingness to have a server running permanently. Remember the power bill -- not huge, but you will be able to see it in your bill if you have an average house)
Willingness to learn SQL
A bit of Perl could come in handy as well.

FINALLY: The server is not going to be taken down tommorrow or next week. It is these forums and the, eh, conservative atmosphere I'm tired of --- that every discussion is hammered with flames, reactionary comments and so on. Nothing personal, you understand, but there are friendlier places to hang out, so I'll hang out there instead.

BUT: The number of concurrent games the server can host will have to be reduced, because a) I need a bit of space for my own purposes and b) the server is effectively red-lining, and as my budget does allow for a replacement before spring, I need to take care of the one I have. So maybe I will only host 15 or maybe as low as 10 games in the future. EVENTUALLY, the server may be taken down. He knows? I'll not be here to tell you, so I'm telling you now.

P.S: Be sure to mail me if I can help with anything. Use the address on my home page. The PM system in these forums are broken beyond all hope of repair, so I've disabled them.

P.P.S: To the Moderators: Maybe this thread should be locked?