Auto Admin for PBE?

Tourmalyn · #1 October 31st, 2003, 05:52 PM

After reading a thread about how a lot of people wanted to play a PBEM game but couldn't find someone willing to take the time/effort to host, I thought, an automated admin app would be great! Maybe one already exists, if so, even better.

Essentially, it would be an app running 24/7 on a machine that would at a given time fetch all the game related emails from players. It would then run Dom2 and process all the game data automagically. Once done, it could either post the next turn files to an ftp/http site, or email them back to the individual players. This way, the admin isn't burdened with very much at all, leading to more people willing to host big games. (the hope being 17 ppl games not being a rarity)

Good idea? Is there a demand for something like that?

Wendigo · #2 October 31st, 2003, 06:44 PM

I have played Dom I games hosted by a number of different players who were able to set up automated servers, so it's definitely doable.

Occasionaly the server needs to be reseted or players will require a change in the hosting times/quickhost, but I believe it requires little more maintenance than that so long as you have the spare computer, the conection & whatever tech knowledge that be required.

Tourmalyn · #3 October 31st, 2003, 07:47 PM

I was thinking of something along the lines of a standalone Dom2 Server Server app that anyone could d/l to support automated PBE.

Chris Byler · #4 October 31st, 2003, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tourmalyn:
After reading a thread about how a lot of people wanted to play a PBEM game but couldn't find someone willing to take the time/effort to host, I thought, an automated admin app would be great! Maybe one already exists, if so, even better.

Essentially, it would be an app running 24/7 on a machine that would at a given time fetch all the game related emails from players. It would then run Dom2 and process all the game data automagically. Once done, it could either post the next turn files to an ftp/http site, or email them back to the individual players. This way, the admin isn't burdened with very much at all, leading to more people willing to host big games. (the hope being 17 ppl games not being a rarity)

Good idea? Is there a demand for something like that?

If you're actually doing dedicated hosting, you shouldn't use PBEM anyway - you should use the TCP/IP server option. Then the players connect as TCP/IP clients, download their turn, play it, upload it, and then wait for the server to host. No messing around with email (well, except for diplomacy, if the players agree to use out-of-game email for diplomacy). There were plenty of TCP/IP hosted MP games of Dom I - although I never saw one with all 14 nations, I think there were some.

It's not that hard to set up, but the host does have to have DomII installed.

Graeme Dice · #5 November 1st, 2003, 12:20 AM

You may want to talk to the people who run the SEIV Play by Web system.

Saber Cherry · #6 November 1st, 2003, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Graeme Dice:
You may want to talk to the people who run the SEIV Play by Web system.

Or just go play Laser Squad Nemesis

That's the best BPEM system ever. It requires a subscription... but then, you never have to buy the game initially. To bad it has no singleplayer mode.