Re: Difference between PBEM and TCP/IP
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.
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