I'd rather have MM work on AI as opposed to TCP/IP

Nitram Draw · #1 February 17th, 2001, 02:27 AM

Overall the AI will be used by a lot more players, if only to flesh out hotseat/pbem games. Making the AI as challanging as possible would provide the most bang for the buck.

Testosteronos · #2 February 17th, 2001, 02:37 AM

TCP/IP is a must!!!
Every three or four month we do a little LAN-Session. It's just more fun to beat human opponents than some more or less dumb AI.
I got a flatrate now, so me and a few friends would surely use the tcp/ip feature to play a few hours each evening.

Spyder · #3 February 16th, 2001, 03:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Atrocities:
Yes, time limits on moves would be a must for TCI/IP play....

I like the way it was done in Global Conquest...you could select the time limit everyone agreed upon. You had selections from unlimited to 'Firecracker', with 5 minute turns being the default. I personally liked the 'Firecracker' option....where, the first person done ended the turn for everyone else. There was also an option that ended the turn 1 minute after the first person finished (ie, player 1 just hit the 'Done' button and now everyone else has exactly 1 minute to finish).

But in all cases, you should have the option to choose your time limit.

As for whether or not Malfador Machinations should work on TCP/IP interface, or on game AI...depends on what will sell more games

I'd like to see an IP option. With exactly the same amount of conviction, I'd like to see a smarter computer player too....

Paul E. Mason
Senior VMS Systems Administrator

Triumvir Emphy · #4 February 16th, 2001, 03:44 PM

you don't need email to play PBEM, hehe contradiction in terms??
All you need to do is transfer the files to the host computer. You could do that by mapping a drive on each client computer to the seIV directory on the host computer.
So the only issue right now is the fact that SEIV exits when you finish a turn. There is no need for tcp/ip for a lan game (i mean a tcp/ip interface for the game, tcp/ip-netbue or ipx/spx are still needed for network) You can already play a langame, all we need is an option to keep the game running after your turn. True, the host still has to send the files to each client, but you can write a batch file to do a copy directory to do that.

with a little skill anybody can set this up, if only the game didn't stop.

sogard · #5 February 16th, 2001, 11:20 PM

I am currently playing a hotseat game with three other players. We are having a bLast; but, we all dream of the day when we can all simply log on at home and play tcp/ip. Even though we would have to (as the game is now configured) play with simultaneous moves and would not be able to use the tactical ship combat, we would much prefer the tcp/ip option. I say damn the torpedoes -- let's get tcp/ip implemented for the true fans of SE4.

phalen · #6 February 17th, 2001, 12:27 AM

I can see the need for both. one one hand yes every one pretty much uses the ai in one form or another in all games... but to help the game grow tcp or some CONVIENANT method of play needs to exist.(ie sharing your hdd over the internet is a BAD!!! idea especaly on cable) but tcp can also caus problims. a thought could a "helper" program be made, maybe by a fan. that would do the connecting and file transfers for seIV.

also question to Aron and Richard what can we the fans do to help. i know sundevil/jpinard and others are in a "modconsortium" of sorts in hopes to help you guys. but PLEASE let us know if you would? or not like our help as I am shure there are lots of people in the community that would be glad to help you guys to improve the gaming quality.

sory if the message doesnt make sense somehow it got cleared had to rewrite and it doesnt sound right :/

DirkHowitzer · #7 February 17th, 2001, 02:29 AM

Why not do something like Counter-Strike? Here me out before you shake your heads and laugh...

Have permanent SEIV servers with a set number of user slots. Players could connect and take control of the various empires. When players weren't using an empire it would be run by the AI.

Yes I know, but why would want to run an Empire after some amateur or stupid AI has run it into the ground...well my answer is that here we have a simulation of the rise to power various leaders with various styles and goals. Personally I think it would be awesome, the challenge of taking some downtrodden empire and bringing it to power through superior tactics. Of course the players who were dedicated to playing longer would have the advantage because of simply a better knowledge of there empire and it being molded to their will.

The game would be won by reaching whatever victory conditions were active at which point the map would be regenerated and a new game started.

OR!!!! And this is ambitious, I know, but I was very intrigued by by Nyx's interview with Aaron in which he suggested a massively multiplayer Version of the game. Personally I would like to see a system like Star Peace with a constant Online community that could be logged on an off. When you weren't on, your empire would be played by the AI. This would take a much larger map or, perhaps, several different universes. Also needed would be a constantly upgraded research tree. This would probably be the most ambitious part as you would need some creative individual or team to constantly come up with new techs to keep the game fresh. New players would get to start a new empire in some far corner of the galaxy. The system could be kept clean by elimination certain empires after so many months of idle time and so on.

My main problem with all of this is you would have to maintain some kind of a time limit on turns. This in turn would limit the size of your empire as you would only have so much time to carry out the various important tasks requiring your attention. Or perhaps this make a player focus on maintaining proper battle lines with the core worlds being AI controlled. I know this whole proposal is a little clumsy but, if it could be enacted, it would be somthing that I most certainly would be interested in playing and I believe others would be too...especially since using these ideas you wouldn't be required to play hours and hours if you didn't wish too.

Just a few thoughts...PLEASE PLEASE RESPOND!!!! AND FEEL FREE TO SHOOT THIS TURKEY FULL OF HOLES....I AM VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING SOME WORKING MODEL OF MULTIPLAYER.

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