New & raw web based Dominion II game server - Page 11

ywl · #**101** March 16th, 2004, 08:31 PM

A question: is it possible to change the hosting frequency after the game is started? For example, host every 24 hours for the first 15 turns and then 48 hours afterwards.

Esben Mose Hansen · #**102** March 17th, 2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ywl:
A question: is it possible to change the hosting frequency after the game is started? For example, host every 24 hours for the first 15 turns and then 48 hours afterwards.

Not easily, unfortunately. It can only be done with manual intervention. The only way to do this would be to kill the dominion server (dom2), then restart it with new options. This is not a problem (not even from a script), but handling anyone currently logged in is.

If I had designed the game, the hosting application (the turn generation part) would be distinct from the server (which handles uploads and such) and from the client (which would interface to the other; and start them locally if neccessary). But this is merely wishing... :-(

Norfleet · #**103** March 17th, 2004, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Esben Mose Hansen:
Not easily, unfortunately. It can only be done with manual intervention. The only way to do this would be to kill the dominion server (dom2), then restart it with new options. This is not a problem (not even from a script), but handling anyone currently logged in is.

Well, handling somebody currently logged in isn't really so difficult: The act of killing the Dominion server will take care of that for you: The aforementioned logged-in schmuck gets a nice, friendly, "Nagot Gick Fel" and is booted from the game the moment he tries to submit his turn.

Then when he reconnects, his turn data is uploaded just fine. No problems.

Esben Mose Hansen · #**104** March 17th, 2004, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Norfleet:

quote:
Originally posted by Esben Mose Hansen:
Not easily, unfortunately. It can only be done with manual intervention. The only way to do this would be to kill the dominion server (dom2), then restart it with new options. This is not a problem (not even from a script), but handling anyone currently logged in is.

Well, handling somebody currently logged in isn't really so difficult: The act of killing the Dominion server will take care of that for you: The aforementioned logged-in schmuck gets a nice, friendly, "Nagot Gick Fel" and is booted from the game the moment he tries to submit his turn.

Then when he reconnects, his turn data is uploaded just fine. No problems.

And if is kicked while uploading the turn? Does the dominion server handle that, or is his turn just corrupted/lost?

I have actually thought about this, as this way I would be able to implement all the timing features I want without relying on the (somewhat shaky/lacking) timing features of the dominion host itself. The problem of being kicked while uploading (and the difficulty of actually testing this) has kept me from trying, though. Being able to change the pace after a set number of turn would be just the beginning...

Norfleet · #**105** March 17th, 2004, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Esben Mose Hansen:
And if is kicked while uploading the turn? Does the dominion server handle that, or is his turn just corrupted/lost?

I'm pretty sure the Dominions server is equipped to handle this: It probably writes the turn into a temporary file before accepting it at all. If you enter an incorrect password while logging in, I still see the data transferring to suggest that it's uploading a file anyway: If the Dominions II server actually overwrote the good orders, you could thrash someone's turn by trying to be him, even if you don't have his password. This doesn't appear to happen, however, as when I tested this, the file that was originally there was unaltered.

In any case, it would be no different from if the user crashed or got disconnected in mid-upload: Dominions II is smart enough to probably write the incoming data somewhere temporary. This shouldn't pose a problem.

Esben Mose Hansen · #**106** March 18th, 2004, 01:03 PM

OK, I'll try and include this in my rewrite. In the first incarnation, this will simply be the possibility to stop, start and restart games that has been created by that user.

Chazar · #**107** March 25th, 2004, 12:17 PM

Umh, I'd like to join/start a game soon, but I wonder if there is a possibility to stop a 48h-host game on your server for a short period of time, for I will be away during easter, and propably without internet connection...

So I decided to wait until after easter before I participate, easy solution, but still I wonder if a game could be laid dormant if all players agree? There might be other holidays coming up - and I'd rather wait for a fellow player than ruining a good game...

Norfleet · #**108** March 29th, 2004, 06:01 AM

Does your server host with renaming enabled? I've heard that it doesn't, which is increasingly eew. You should probably enable this option by default, if possible.

Esben Mose Hansen · #**109** March 29th, 2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Norfleet:
Does your server host with renaming enabled? I've heard that it doesn't, which is increasingly eew. You should probably enable this option by default, if possible.

I'd love to, but the option is not availble for servers. See (linux command below, adjust for whatever system you use)

code:

 

less `locate command_line_switches`

for availble switches.

You could probably bug illwinter for it... it should be simple for them to put the option on a command line switch...

Meanwhile, my next gen server pages are nearing release time. When they do, I'll announce it here and start a new thread. If anyone is interesting in running their own server in this manner, write and I'll GPL the code & post it somewhere (sourceforce.net comes to mind). You would need a Linux machine with a static IP to do this; a Mac could probably do as well with a bit more work.

Zapmeister · #**110** March 31st, 2004, 04:37 AM

4 questions:

1. What does it mean when there are no nations at all listed in the Participants column?

2. What happens if all players abandon a game? Will the game get deleted by the system somehow, or will it hang around consuming a slot?

3. I started a game in which I'm pretty dang sure I left the Quickhost box unchecked. But the game is being quickhosted anyway. Is this bugged?

4. Is there a way of applying a victory condition (e.g. provinces) that isn't based on VPs?