PBW, First Impressions.. (Multiplayer discussion)

David E. Gervais · #1 January 18th, 2004, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the comments, (so far)

to clarify one thing,..

5) It would also be very nice if 'encounters' were handled in real-time.

by this I mean when you 'encounter' other races and get to do the 'treaty thing'. It would be nice if a 'dialogue' opened up between the parties. (not just I propose this,.. accept, refuse?) My thoughts behind this are to make 'first encounters' (especially in PBW or any multiplayer) more dynamic.

My main feeling after playing PBW-Athon was that there was much interest and fun potential in having faster paced multiplayer games. Think of it like this, sure you can play a game of chess over the net with 1 or 2 turns a day over an extended period, but It hardly compares to a real-time game of 30-45 mins. (the game [chess] is still turn based, but there is a lot to be said for the 'pace' of a live game.)

As to the saving/loading. uploading/downloading, opening/closing, etc. I left the game feeling like the 'Mechanics' of PBW got in the way of the gameplay of PBW. IMHO The 'Mechanics' of multiplayer needs to be transparent and imbedded in the game. I shouldn't have to go to a website, log in a chat room, run MS Messenger and check my e-mail every 5 mins to enjoy the game.

Bottom line Playing PBW felt more like 'work' than 'play', and spreading the 'work' over days instead of hours does not IMHO reduce or eliminate the 'mechanical' tasks that are involved. There is definately room for improvement. I am hoping that togeather we can discuss alternate possibilities.

Nuf said, Cheers!

P.S. The PBW game is a bLast, and I had/am having fun, but it left an aftertaste. Know what I mean?

[ January 18, 2004, 18:23: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]

geoschmo · #2 January 18th, 2004, 08:28 PM

David, I don't diasgree there is room for improvment. However I sumbit the only reason you feel that the PBW mechanics got in the way of the game is that you have never tried to participate in a PBEM game of Se4 without it. You will find it's much superior to the alternative.

Also, if you try the RTC program I think you will find it eliminates a lot things you still take issue with. You can use it for your exsisting game that is still going on. It doesn't have a chat feature, but it totally automates the file handling and launches the executable.

Geoschmo

David E. Gervais · #3 January 18th, 2004, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
David, I don't diasgree there is room for improvment. However I sumbit the only reason you feel that the PBW mechanics got in the way of the game is that you have never tried to participate in a PBEM game of Se4 without it. You will find it's much superior to the alternative.

Geoschmo

True, I did jump into the 'deep-end' by joining the PBW-Athon for my first venture into SE:Multiplayer.

I totally understand the idea and funcionality of PBEM. It's a more leisurely pace where speed has little or no value. I'm not saying anything bad about PBEM. I'm just saying that personally I think there is much potential in having a faster paced game option available. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the TPC/IP option is more or less for 'networks' and not so much across the internet.

I'm having trouble putting my finger on what exactly is missing to have that kind of option. (faster gameplay in multiplayer) But after yesterday's game, I can tell you there is definately interest and potential if that kind of gameplay was added to SE:4/5.

I think this a worthy and worthwhile topic to discuss. (not how I feel about the PBW experience) But discuss the highs and lows of multiplayer and what can be done to enhance and improve that experience.

...follow the bouncing ball,.. Cheers!

Fyron · #4 January 18th, 2004, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidG:

Edit: IF you find opening and closing the game after each PBW turn a pain try what I do. I have a .bat file on my desktop that will get me right into my turn for the game. Saves a lot of clicking and typing in of passwords.

Or save that trouble and use the Mod Launcher...

Quote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the TPC/IP option is more or less for 'networks' and not so much across the internet.

Ok, you are wrong. It is there for both options. It is not very well implemented, but is fine designed for internet play as well as network play.

[ January 18, 2004, 19:04: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

David E. Gervais · #5 January 18th, 2004, 09:07 PM

Fyron, I was/am using the ModLauncher. It doesn't prevent the game from closing at the end of every turn.

TerranC · #6 January 18th, 2004, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David E. Gervais:
Fyron, I was/am using the ModLauncher. It doesn't prevent the game from closing at the end of every turn.

So make a BAT file like DavidG did, or send an e-mail to aaron.

TerranC · #7 January 18th, 2004, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David E. Gervais:
Thanks for the comments, (so far) to clarify one thing,..

5) It would also be very nice if 'encounters' were handled in real-time.

by this I mean when you 'encounter' other races and get to do the 'treaty thing'. It would be nice if a 'dialogue' opened up between the parties. (not just I propose this,.. accept, refuse?) My thoughts behind this are to make 'first encounters' (especially in PBW or any multiplayer) more dynamic.

Use Trillian.

Or Wait till SE5 comes out.