Pbem guide needed

Pillin · #1 December 17th, 2003, 01:12 PM

Topic says it all I guess, never tried pbem so if anyone can give me a dummies guide, I would be gratefull

Pillin

Gandalf Parker · #2 December 17th, 2003, 04:35 PM

PBEM (Play By EMail) internet variation on the Playing by Mail games such as Chess which is so often used as a comedy routine on TV (Ive been playing this game for almost a year and he destroyed the board)

A PBEM game is one that is designed so that you can plan all your moves, save a "turn file" which is then sent (by email, ftp, disc, whatever) to a "host" machine. The host then processes all of the turn files, deciding all combat results, and creates a "results" file which is sent back to the user. The user opens his results file, views everything that happened during turn processing, and makes his next moves.

Games are often setup so that a turn is done once a day, or 3 times a week. Some sort of agreed on schedule.

There are many Pros and Cons to this style of play. A disadvantage is that of course you cannot control your combats since they have already happened and been decided. An advantage is that since the game is meant to be a turn a day, it can be a much deeper and involved game.

Dominions does also support a faster direct connect method of play using IP and Port addresses.

Pillin · #3 December 17th, 2003, 05:15 PM

Ah, I was perhaps a bit unclear. What I'm after is how to play it as a pbem. I dont know what files to send and such.

Btw, you mentioned that you can't control combats. Isn't this the case no matter what? Set your orders and hope for the best.

ywl · #4 December 17th, 2003, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pillin:
Ah, I was perhaps a bit unclear. What I'm after is how to play it as a pbem. I dont know what files to send and such.

Btw, you mentioned that you can't control combats. Isn't this the case no matter what? Set your orders and hope for the best.

It should be buried somewhere in the manual.

But briefly:
1) Create a god (e.g. Man). And under the newlords folder of the game, you should find something like a "man.2h" - 2h stand for to host. Send that to the host.
2) After receiving all the 2h files, the host put all of them in a folder under the game directory. Choose to play it and then choose "host" the game.
3) After hosting, the host send out all the "trn" files under the folder to the players.
4) The players download the attached "trn" file from the email. Put it in a folder with any name he like.
5) The players choose playing the game (with the same name as the folder). Make their moves and then press "End Turn".
6) After that, there should be another "2h" file in the game folder. Send that to the host.
7) Go back to step 2.

I hope it's clear enough.

Pillin · #5 December 17th, 2003, 05:52 PM

Ah perfect

thanks alot!

Gandalf Parker · #6 December 17th, 2003, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pillin:
Btw, you mentioned that you can't control combats. Isn't this the case no matter what? Set your orders and hope for the best.

Yes sorry. I broke out into an explanation of what a PBEM game is. Non-control of combat is a standard thing for most PBEM type games

PhilD · #7 December 17th, 2003, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gandalf Parker:

quote:
Originally posted by Pillin:
Btw, you mentioned that you can't control combats. Isn't this the case no matter what? Set your orders and hope for the best.

Yes sorry. I broke out into an explanation of what a PBEM game is. Non-control of combat is a standard thing for most PBEM type games

Hah! Obviously, you've never played PBEM Advanced Squad Leader!

[For those who don't know about it: ASL (Advanced Squad Leader) is a great, but very complex "real cardboard" wargame where, every time you move a stack of counters, your opponent may choose to fire at it with any number of units, some of which may be hidden. Can you think what playing it by email can be like? Well, I have...

]

ceremony · #8 December 24th, 2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PhilD:

[For those who don't know about it: ASL (Advanced Squad Leader) is a great, but very complex "real cardboard" wargame where, every time you move a stack of counters, your opponent may choose to fire at it with any number of units, some of which may be hidden. Can you think what playing it by email can be like? Well, I have... ]

Just use VASL

http://www.vasl.org/

PhilD · #9 December 29th, 2003, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ceremony:

quote:
Originally posted by PhilD:

[For those who don't know about it: ASL (Advanced Squad Leader) is a great, but very complex "real cardboard" wargame where, every time you move a stack of counters, your opponent may choose to fire at it with any number of units, some of which may be hidden. Can you think what playing it by email can be like? Well, I have... ]

Just use VASL

http://www.vasl.org/

Looks nice, but that was WAAAAY before VASL's time.