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