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.

Strider · #7 November 1st, 2003, 12:33 AM

As Chris's description states, it is possible in DOM II...we are testing this aspect now. All nations have a human player...the server is set to process turns 3 days per week. There is a 'timer' showing how long you have to process your turn until the next occurs. It's very easy, and nice, from the "joining player's" standpoint. Also, a 'list' of the nations are displayed, showing who has/hasn't processed the current turn.
Illwinter has mentioned numerous times that they developed the game with MP play in mind, and it shows in the 'server'

Tourmalyn · #8 November 1st, 2003, 02:38 AM

The problem of hosting a TCP/IP server game is that many residential connections while broadband and always on, don't allow the outside world to "see" the actual machine.

[ November 01, 2003, 01:10: Message edited by: Tourmalyn ]

Gandalf Parker · #9 November 1st, 2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Strider:
As Chris's description states, it is possible in DOM II...we are testing this aspect now. All nations have a human player...the server is set to process turns 3 days per week. There is a 'timer' showing how long you have to process your turn until the next occurs. It's very easy, and nice, from the "joining player's" standpoint. Also, a 'list' of the nations are displayed, showing who has/hasn't processed the current turn.
Illwinter has mentioned numerous times that they developed the game with MP play in mind, and it shows in the 'server'

Id be very interested in this. I have a linux (debian) server and can put up a much larger (solaris) server if need be. Ive been trying to prod some webmaster into creating some sort of interface they would like to manage but so far no one has bitten.

Strider · #10 November 1st, 2003, 07:23 PM

[/qb][/quote]Id be very interested in this. I have a linux (debian) server and can put up a much larger (solaris) server if need be. Ive been trying to prod some webmaster into creating some sort of interface they would like to manage but so far no one has bitten. [/QB][/quote]

Not sure that I understand the 'need' for an interface...Doing a TCP/IP server for DOM II is (or similar) to the DOM II server being a Terminal Server. The player enters the IP address and port number to make the connection. They are then using the server to actually play the game (for the most part). Illwinter would have to supply the specifics on just how it's working. The player processes the turn, then hits the 'End Turn' button the same as if they were playing a single player game.
Hopefully this clarifies things a bit, instead of confusing