PBEM Security Question
 

Hi:
Before I knew better, started a couple of games using the same slot 1 and 4. I've been noticing numbers flash on the bottom of the screen when I first start up, but just recently started investigating. After reading several threads, I am clear that playing the same slots is something that shouldn't be done because it messes up the security. I've also learned that there is a hot key to pull up the security info (haven't tried it yet). I believe it is key "1". I also read that if we continue using the same slot something will fell.

My question is regarding the last statement. What happens if we (me) continue using the same slot? Is this defininte or just a possibility? If it going to fail it is best I forfeit now and start over.

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

mmmmmmmm I have heard this before but I have never had a problem reusing slots over and over. I take files ZIP'd, RAR'd and without being compressed and have never had any problems.

Have you had a problem? As for the "1" key I've never heard of that, so much in this game, one reason it never bores!!!

Bob out:D

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Secure PBEM games should never be shared in the same slot, as it completely screws up the recording of security loads/quits information for the multiple games. You wont be able to tell if your opponent is cheating, and he will get duff info as well.

One secure PBEM game occupies the same slot for the entire life of that game.

If you need more than 5 secure games played at the same time then get the CD edition.

Insecure mode can be played in the same slot as they do not record loads and quits info.

Andy

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Good day, Andy

I'm now not clear on what we are taking about as to being "shared". Because I have been using the same slots now for several Campaigns and a single game, Now each one has been with the same opponent just different games, can I expect an Atomic reaction at some point?

Bob ou:D

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Bob if you are playing basic security as the campaign is no problem, but if the battles are full security I would expect meltdown is iminent

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

So, how can this problem be passed for someone that doesn't have the CD version? (not me, I have it). If a PBEM game doesn't end and a new starts at the same slot, what's the safest way to overwrite the "abandoned" PBEM game? It shouldn't be to just copy the newer files over the "abandoned" game since of the problem mentioned. It would be nice to have a "delete pbem" game but then I guess that could be abused.

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Thats no problem at all, if you abandon a game or it ends just start a new one in that slot. What you should not do is play 2 games at the same time in the same slot by swapping save files.
CD makes no diffrence just lets you play a lot more at the same time.

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

This is all true. Once a game has been "abandoned" you are free to start a new on in that slot but you must not, especially with a secure game, to try to play two games from the same slot at the same time.

We thought this was all very clear in the game guide. I would suggest anyone with any questions in this regard go back, read that section again, and if there is still things un-clear let us know and we'll re-write that section so it IS clear.

PBEM campaigns ONLY use basic security so they aren't as "touchy" about this as secure PBEM is

Don

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

So basicaly it is ok to use the same slot for more than one game, just as long as you do this once. So for example a battle is abandoned in turn 5. Another guy starts a new battle on the same slot, sends me the files and I copy them and start the new battle and there are no problems with it.

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

When you have finnished playing a battle for whatever reason that slot is now free again to start a new one in it.
Think about this or read the guide if you could not once you used all the slots you would need a new game

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Hi:
Appreiciate the feedback.

I got the point about the multiple games in one slot. I really wanted to know if the melt down is definite or only a possibility, as the games are already in play, and no need continuing if they are going to self destruct just when things getting interesting.

Reading the thread it sounds like it is a definite. Any idea, how many turns into the game it happens? If it takes 30 turns to happen, I may try to continue. But if it takes 13 turns, then I will need to propose some options to my friends. Also, is it possible that the meltdown is only non-CD games? And one last question, can someone provide a description of what to expect from a meltdown. Does it not load, or do I see strange things, do my men turn on their commanders and mutiny :)

BTW I bought the game (in fact I think I bought it three times (both WW2 and MBT, original plus Shrapnel twice by mistake).

Thanks, just trying to fix my goof.

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Are the games in secure mode?.

If so, then since as I said the game registry for loads/fails is based on the PBEM game slot then they are going to be toast at some point. Your opponent will be thinking you cheat, or you will be thinking he is, since you are stuffing random loads, fails and turn ids from 2 (or more) different secure PBEM games into the same registry slot. Trying to stuff several simultaneous secure games into the same slot is simply trashing the entire reason you are playing secure mode in the first place.

Secure PBEM games must use the same slot throughout the entire life of the PBEM game.

Secure mode is generally only of use for competitive games where you do not trust your opponent to reload cheat.

Only basic mode PBEM security games do not track any registry data, and can be shared in the same slot.

Basic mode PBEM is fine for casual PBEM play against an opponent you trust not to cheat.

Andy

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Since, apart from finishing a battle, there is no button to tell the game, " this battle will not continue cause the other guy doesn't feel like it", how does the game know that the new files you receive from the other guy for a new game on the same slot, are new and not going to affect the new game in the way mentioned in this thread?
Should both sides just delete the files, start the game, quit the game and then copy the new files?

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Wdll

You are making it way to complicated delete if you like but thought this was covered already, its fine

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

When P1 starts a new secure game in slot X, then the files he sends to P2 are A-OK for the data for this new game. P2s computer now knows it is a new secure game and sets the registry for that new game on the first turn. No need to delete any files on P2's part - it is the new fileset sent by P1 that initialises the new secure PBEM game in slot X. This fileset will overwrite the old files on P2s computer without any need for P2 to play with any old files. P2 could delete them if he wants - but there is no need to.

Andy

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Ah, thank you very much, I feel much better now :)

Re: PBEM Security Question
 

Thanks for the process description.

I'll warn my opponent, but of course we will continue till it happens, maybe we will luck out.

I don't think cheating is an issue, since I'll forfeit the game if that becomes an issue, since it was my mistake.