Difference between PBEM and TCP/IP

Puke · #1 January 9th, 2001, 10:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Seawolf:
I shouldn't but I am going to say it anyway.

while TCP will allow 2 or more players to do tactical battles over the net, what do the other players during that time? The game will have to wait for the combat to be over no? So really the only gain with tcp is fighting battles in tactical mode. The game will still be delayed. The more battles the more the delay.

thanks for crushing my dreams man, you are a big help. actually, the advanage of realtime IP play is psycological. even in a simu/no-tac game, if you plug everyone in and make them do their turns in real time, they will get done alot faster than if you do a 'PBEM' marathon. people tend to not send in their turns when they have to wory about dorking with the files and all, so things get delayed. if all they have to do is plug into the game and play, more gets done, and you dont have as many delays while people get destracted with other things.

even in IP, i will probably not play sequential and stick to simutanious / no tactical. I even think its more challenging putting together effective formations and orders for a fleet - anyone can command each ship to do the right thing.

ColdSteel · #2 January 9th, 2001, 10:20 PM

The only way complex turn based games like SE4 ever work at all with TCP/IP is if the other players get to do something interesting during the other player's turns. Set waypoints, change ship's orders, production queues, check intelligence or research, anything like that. If you just have to sit and stare at a blank screen for 20 minutes while other folks move, you go nuts.

I think that's why hotheat play always has such a big advantage. You can talk trash with your opponent while they move, or play cooperativly against the AI, watch what they're doing (if they agree), etc. It's a *social* thing. TCP/IP play in its current form is quite sterile in contrast.

Maybe if the add a cooperative play mode similar to the "Allied" play mode in Heroes of Might and Magic III it might help.

One thing is certain, unless they think it out carefully, be creative and come up with something for your brain to occupy itself with while others are moving, TCP/IP play will not be the great thing we are all anticipating. Just my 2 cents on this.

greghacke · #3 January 9th, 2001, 10:35 PM

What I want in IP play is the ability to "chat." Nothing upen-ended, but in my PBEM game, I have contact with another empire. It would be great to actually carry on a conversation regarding politics...

Puke · #4 January 9th, 2001, 10:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by greghacke:
What I want in IP play is the ability to "chat." Nothing upen-ended, but in my PBEM game, I have contact with another empire. It would be great to actually carry on a conversation regarding politics...

does anyone actually limit their chatter in PBEM to the communications screen and 'general Messages?' I sure dont. as soon as i have contact with them, im either talking to them over email, or ICQ, or calling them up to say "you'r warp point generators are in violation of the stellar maniplation treaties and mutual dissarmament agreement, please remove them before you get violated back to the stone-age."

greghacke · #5 January 9th, 2001, 11:14 PM

I try to keep my conversations in-game. Right now, my partner in treaty is in Germany. Not someplace I can call readily...

Sinapus · #6 January 9th, 2001, 11:28 PM

I guess it would also be useful to send a global chat message to either ask why it is taking someone so long to finish their turn.

That and a courteous player might want to warn the other players that he/she is going to step away from the keyboard for a bit.

------------------
--
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to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a
pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors
come with too high a price. I would look up into your lifeless
eyes and wave like this..." *waggle* "...can you and your
associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?"

Jubala · #7 January 10th, 2001, 01:22 AM

Age of Wonders has a pretty good way of solving this. Ingame chat is a godssend during tactical combat in that game. If the other players are talkative of course. The most boring AoW games I ever played where ones in which the other players where mutes. Felt like playing the AI and that's not why I play multiplayer. It all comes down to finding the right crowd to play with which usually goes pretty quick in my experience.