Host: v3.01 , client: v3.00 How is this working?

[DominionsFan]

How is this possible that someone with version 3.00 can play on a v3.01 server. We are just playing a blitz right now, and someone with v3.00 can play on the v3.01 server.
So I was wondering, the player whos running the 3.00 will have the 3.01 patch updates when he is playing on a 3.01 server?

[Arralen]

As the save/turn file format hasn't been changed, oc. you can play 'mixed' games.
But there's no auto-update feature build into Dominions up to now ...

Therefore, it's a bad idea, as it will cause battle inconsistencies - the replay might not show the same battle result as the battle report: the 1st one is re-calculated by the client each time you view the battle, the 2nd one is generated by the server and passed along in the turn file.

You might end up watching a battle which happens in a slightly different universe, with rules of nature which are slightly different. Interestingly enough, this even applies if the changes in the patch do not "apply" directly to what happened during that battle - simply using the wrong exe version is enough.

[Endoperez]

His battles will probably look wrong. The replays often won't be exactly the same in different versions, and even the tiniest change causes everything after it to be randomized again, resulting in wildly different battle results.

The server's calculations are always the only ones that affect the game. Even if his battle review shows he won without losses, if battle report says one commander died, one commander DID die.

[Maltrease]

What happens with "balance" changes between version? For example the tribal archers cost was raised to 10 gold. Would someone with version 3 still be able to get them for 8?

Or Hellheim for example could recruit Helheims in all forts (not just capital) until version 3.1

Both of those would could be a rather large advantage is someone was unscrupulous enough to exploit them.

[Endoperez]

I think they would be unable to do that, but it's a good question.

[Hadrian_II]

As the turn processing is completly on the host i think the tribal archer cost of the host is the one that counts.

But what might be interesting is what happens if you create big queues in 3.00 for 8 gold and then update to 3.01 and now stop the recruitment, maybe you will now get 10 gold back.

With the Helheims its not sure if it works or not, its the matter if the host checks the queue or not, if he does it wont work, but if he just lets you build units who are in the queue you might get them.

But this questions can only the developer answer, as he is the only one able to see the source.

[PhilD]

Or, one could test it with a double install...