SEIV: Play by Web
 

Hello all,

I have created a server-based, "Play by Web" Version of Space Empires IV to greatly simplify the management of multiplayer "play by mail" type games. I would greatly appreciate it if I could have several volunteers (beta) test and play with this service so that I can then open it up for general player use. I also have another request or two, below.

The current features of this server are:

* A user registration system
* An unlimited number of games the server can manage (limited only by practical considerations, not architecture)
* Users can create games (and become the owner of that game)
* Users can join games; game owners can reject players they don't want
* Players can upload their empires; game owners can download all together in a .zip file
* Game owners upload the first turn only (after getting the empires and creating the universe); completely automated turn management by the server thereafter (host password is stored by the server)
* News items on a per-game basis
* Complete log of activities on the game
* Storage of the user-provided empire passwords in case Users drop out of games and need to be replaced - which are not revealed except to the replacement
* Configurable turn durations

The short-term planned features of this server are:

* A nice user interface (see below)
* Security enhancements to prevent malicious "stuff" (to be discussed with Aaron)
* E-mail alerts to the administrator when all player files received
* Automatic execution of turns when all player files received (trivial)
* E-mail alerts to players when the time limit is nearing and/or when they are holding everyone else up
* Automatic execution of turns when the time limit is up even without Users
* Removal/replacement of Users currently playing in games
* User administration screens
* Game creation privileges (or restrictions)
* E-mail acceptance of new turns
* Write a privacy policy

The longer-term planned features include:

* Support for multiple installations of the SEIV game, to provide for players who want the raw game, others the ModPack, and so forth
* Support for user-contributed AI files (after tests with the administrator)
* Support for user-contributed shipsets (which will be made available for player download)
* A player messaging system for private Messages
* A player bulletin board (probably by linking to EZboard or another similar technology)
* Statistic reporting on the games (e.g. to tell who gets their turns in on time reliably) and Users
* Full administrative capabilities

One of the major problems that I have, as a hard core systems developer (in a previous life) is that I have no skill with web page design, layout, or page flow. Hence, when you use this server, it will look spartan. If you like the service, and would like to write it's user interface, I welcome your assistance. (The UI is entirely HTML and JSP.)

Finally, once the service gets up and running, there will be administrative requirements (approving new games, approving Users to create games, handling user problems/complaints/issues, etc.) which will need attending to. I would welcome volunteers for this type of role when the time comes.

If you are interested in assisting or beta testing, please contact me at admiral@admiral.com at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,

Admiral

[This message has been edited by Admiral (edited 13 April 2001).]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Why is no one else interested in this?

I think this would be an AWESOME tool for playing SE:IV.

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

This is an excellent tool. I would think you people would be all over this one. This is just what SEIV needs. I for one don't play PBEM because it's too slow. Maybe I'll start now.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I agree, Richard. I fired off an email Last night and was experimenting with it a bit around midnite. It is very, very cool. I'm gonna spend some more time this weekend testing it.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I would love to try it except I never know when I will have free time.
I would love to take 3-4 days and play in a 10-20 player game. That would be awesome.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Yep, looks like a very good way to play SE4.
I'm sending an e-mail...

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

New features added today, so far:

April 13, 2001: E-mail alerts to the administrator when all player files received
April 13, 2001: E-mail alerts to administrator when a new player joins his game
April 13, 2001: E-mail alerts to administrator when all empire files are uploaded to his game
Cheers,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I'll play around on it. Send the information to r-bradley2@ti.com

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

This sounds like a godsend! soon SE4 will have a larger following than VGAplanets had in the mid 90s! we will have se4 portals all over the web!

well, maybe. this is still sounding pretty darn cool though.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

One Last update for today...

The system now automatically executes and e-mails the new turns when all the players have uploaded their turn files.

The owner of the game can, as always, kick off a new turn whenever he wants.

In this fashion, this service is now fully automated. Once the game is set up and the first turn is uploaded by the owner, each subsequent turn requires no input from anyone but the players who must upload their turns.

Cheers,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Thanks to Admiral for taking the time to create this program.

This is what makes Space Empires IV a great game - the player's dedication.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

This sounds cool. I want in! Send me info at instar_m@hotmail.com

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Great! Does this system support both modes (i.e. turn based/simultanious) or only one?

Phoenix-D

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I'm not sure if it supports "turn based" multiplayer. I've only ever played the simultaneous one, and it certainly supports that. If the mechanics are different (which they probably are) then it would not be supported now, but it would almost certainly not be much effort to modify it in the future to accept both.

Cheers,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Remember, if you would like to join the beta test team, please e-mail admiral@admiral.com .

Additional new features installed today:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI> Highlights games in which you are playing in game list, also highlights your player record in a game
<LI> Administrator can reject new players from games
<LI> Zips all turn files, not just .gam, and e-mails a zip file after a turn (actually mails both, just for testing, now)
<LI> E-mail alerts to players when approved to join a game [/list]
Thanks,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Puke:
This sounds like a godsend! soon SE4 will have a larger following than VGAplanets had in the mid 90s! we will have se4 portals all over the web!

well, maybe. this is still sounding pretty darn cool though.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Already is, since long before SE4.

The SpaceEmpires fans are very web prolific, Especially us Roleplayers.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Indeed awesome. I'm in. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Richard:
Why is no one else interested in this?

I think this would be an AWESOME tool for playing SE:IV.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Still need 4 more test players for my game.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I have never played a game through the net but would like to try. Dracus if my novice level doesn't put you off - I'll play (and I'll understand if you'd rather I don't)

Jason2

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Keep us posted here! This sounds very interesting, a nice, fast way to play SEIV, or SEIII, SEV, SEVI (I can dream, right? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif )...

I don't really have time to personally have a hand in it's development, so I'll just give encouragement http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Jason You are more then welcome to play.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

wowsy! count me in if there's still room available!!
antioch@gmx.net

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I uploaded some new updates. Unfortunately, while uploading them, I accidentally wiped the database. I restored a backup from Friday... I made it very difficult for this to happen again. Sorry.

The updates:<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>April 16, 2001: Ability to change number of players (before game starts). Thus, administrators have the ability to start games before all players join.
<LI>April 16, 2001: User option to keep private or publish e-mail addresses to other players in a game
<LI>April 16, 2001: User can change password
<LI>April 16, 2001: User can change e-mail address
<LI>April 16, 2001: Begun work on nicer user interface (Eric Snyder II)
<LI>April 16, 2001: Bug: Fixed update description submit button
<LI>April 16, 2001: Fix: Check the uploaded file for first turn against the name the user says it should be
<LI>April 16, 2001: Bug: Check the entered base game filename does NOT end in .gam, and if so, remove it
<LI>April 16, 2001: Bug: Empire password not being pre-populated when uploading
<LI>April 16, 2001: Bug: Tell the user what the login name can be in registration screen[/list]
Enjoy,

Doug

[This message has been edited by Admiral (edited 17 April 2001).]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I hope that you all have the same data and race files otherwise it will not work!

Sounds great though!

Lets get a couple of leagues going-
one which has original files &lt;as per MM&gt; and one that has altered files.

How does that sound???

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Aussie Gamer:
I hope that you all have the same data and race files otherwise it will not work!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's a good point. Anyone using the TDM ModPack shouldn't have any trouble because the important data is all the same (unless someone really wants to have AI's in a multiplayer game). But anyone with modified data for their own use will have to change their path.

I think that eventually the PBW system will have support for multiple game types.

LL

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I personally play the game with the TDM ModPack, but the PBW is set up "clean" right now.

As LL says, it will (eventually) support a variety of mods by dynamically rewriting the path.txt file prior to executing a turn. That's not the difficult part; the difficult parts are:

1) Making sure the uploaded zip file is set up properly to extract as a new mod directory.

2) Making sure that the se4.exe never pops up any UI windows under any circumstances (which is not the case today) when run from the command line.

Cheers,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I signed up to play a game, and now I don't have the link/site anymore (actually it's on another computer, which I can't get to right now). Could someone send it to me again, or post it here please. I need to upload my race. Thanks.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I would like to play by PBEM - where do I go to sign up? Um, I'm a novice to this so any and all info is mucho appreciated http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif Thanx.

Jason2

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

The email address of this cool system's author is down at the beginning of this topic. I'd post it in this message but I want you to read all the Posts in between. This guy is a programming machine. He's already enhanced the system so much. Look for the Posts by: Admiral.

[This message has been edited by raynor (edited 18 April 2001).]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I have a second game set up.
The first one is under way.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Back from vacation! Did I miss a fat multiplayer game starting????

NOOOOOoooooo!!

Anyway, I'm in if I can get in!

Are we using the new 1.35 patch?

Thanks,

Ken

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

We're running v1.30 stock.

I've moved up the "can run multiple Versions" on the priority to support v1.30 or v1.35. Selection can be made at game creation time; I am not certain I should allow mid-game changes.

Cheers,

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Hello all... Some additional enhancements, including support for v1.35:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI> Support for multiple installations of the SEIV game, such as to provide access to Version 1.30 and 1.35 games
<LI> An option to include the *_stats.txt player scores in the zip turn file (game owner use only)
<LI> Bug: Don't add the zip file when making the turn zip file[/list]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

So anyway... Can I get in this game? I'm dying to play multiplayer!

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

They are not full blown games, they are more for testing the new server. Finding problems and such.
When admiral clears us for a full blown game. I will be glad to set one up.

[This message has been edited by Dracus (edited 19 April 2001).]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

New features:

1) Delete games yourself
2) Kick players from running games (empire stays for someone else to take over)
3) Take over a previously vacated empire (it gives new player the empire password)

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

**bump**

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Can their be an option from the players perspective that dissallow he's empire from being taken over from another empire (when either kicked or can't continue).

The computer will continue to play his turn anyway.

Maybe I wouldn't like to give away tactics/strategies in such a manner (rather you work em out from the wrong end of a meson bLaster)

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Lefty, I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Please clarify?

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I think in English, he's saying:

Could you have an option allowing a player to make the game host unable to replace him in the event he drops out--replacing him with the AI instead? This would prevent anyone from learning the strategies players use.

LL

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Two answers:

1) I _could_ do that from a technical standpoint of course

2) But _would_ I do that, given that people play multiplayer PBEM (or PBW) games to play other _humans_ and not the AI? After all, if we wanted to play AIs, we wouldn't be using multiplayer.

So, that said, given the reservations of #2, I'd put it way down the list to be taken care of by #1.

What do you think?

Admiral

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

Developing strategies that no one else uses is part of the fun of multi-player.

I think the player, not the game host, should have the right to choose whether his empire is taken over if he goes away.

I play for the long run, but if I leave or get kicked out I should be able to let my secrets dissapear with me.

(BTW..my typing sucks)

[This message has been edited by Lefty (edited 24 April 2001).]

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

If you know you're going to drop from the game, just scrap all your ships & abandon your planets, then surrender to somebody.

You vanish, your secrets intact.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

SJ... that's pretty awesome. I like that idea. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

LL

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I wasn't going to say this, but...

SJ's tactic sounds pretty unsportsmanlike to me.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

C'mon, what "tactics" are you folks trying to preserve... most experienced gamers already know them, if you don't then you could probally just search this thread for 'em..... Most humans don't use scanner jammers, and once you get in combat, you'll know the ship's setup. So what are you trying to preserve... unless your cheating? (like altering your componet.txt file to make Phased polaron beams 20 tons instead of 30.... building a bunch of "extra" powerful ships... then changing the componets.txt file back... there will be no game error, your "special" ships will still be valid and builable (you just can't make new Versions of the ship unless you remod the componets.txt)... and it'd be unlikely you'd get found out... after all how many people count up the tonnage of enemy ships?)

I AM NOT suggesting/supporting cheating in any way, I'm just pointing out that this kinda thing is possible, and when someone dosen't want players to look at their ship designs in detail (since we all can in combat), it strikes me as suspicious...

I'm also not accusing anyone, I find it possible that someone might think they have an "awsome tactic"... usually they'll find that others alredy came up with it long ago.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

I'd like to give it a try.
lindan@zombieworld.com

thanks.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

What is the difference between this play by web and the PBEM helper?

Thanks

Ken

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

The PBW system runs the turns on the game /web server. It used to execute the game turn as soon as everyone had uploaded their plr files. It doesn't seem to do that anymore.
Once the turn is processed, it's auto sent to all players to respond when they can.

Advantages : The host/ starting player doesn't have to worry about files and such. There's one upload and that's it. Offers a central 'meeting room' for players to get together and talk about the type of multiplayer game they want.

Disadvantages: If a player fails to upload the plr file, the game goes on hold until they do or the host executes the turn with the AI playing the missing player's turn.

The PBW allows some features that PBEM helper doesn't / can't yet: Forums for all registered players.
As it is still in Beta, developed by some enthusiasts, it isn't finished yet and is developing 'in an organic fashion'. Join the fun and join the games. Help make it work the way you want it to work.

I haven't played with PBEM helper, so I can't say which is better / best.

Re: SEIV: Play by Web
 

The main difference between Play By Web and PBEM helper is that Play By Web automates the server and PBEM helper automates the client side. PBEM helper has also support for hosting, but it is not fully automatic.

Admiral has said that he will add support for PBEM helper in Play By Web. When that is done, then both the server and client sides can be automated to the maximum.

------------------
PBEM