SE4 TCP/IP use poll

[Atrocities]

UserX, Kwok, and I are doing that right now. It is a lot of fun.

[Captain Kwok]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
UserX, Kwok, and I are doing that right now. It is a lot of fun.

Although Atrocities did cry when he lost a number of ships to a mine field.

[Atrocities]

That was a dirty handed thing to do to a conquring fleet!

[Atrocities]

Below is a post I posted in the STM Discussion Thread about our recent attempt at a TCI/IP game.

Well now, for those who wanted to know, and those who didn’t can still read it, here is how our TCI/IP Game went.

The game had three players, User X, the Host, Captain Kwok, and my self.

We all met up on MSN chat at around 5:30 and UserX posted the game settings and his IP address.

I attempted to join, and was given two IP’s to select from. I figure this was because I am on dial up and using Earth Link. I chose the IP I was using on this computer, and was able to join the game upon entering the Hosts IP. Shortly thereafter I was given the option to create my Empire. It was not long after this that we encountered our first problem. The Host reported a Stream error and we have to reset the game and attempt to join once more.

Our second, third and fourth tries also failed for some reason. The Host, UserX then re-booted his connection and we tried again this time with success.

We were all able to submit our empire files and the first turn was set into play.

After the first turn was played I clicked finish turn and was returned to the Chat window. However, my turn was never received by the Host. We elected to have the Host, UserX, process the turn to see what would happen. We were guessing that perhaps the turn was received.

I discovered upon playing Turn 2 that the Ai had ran my turn. I simply processed the turn without making any changes.

Again UserX did not receive my player files and we again opted to process the turn to see what would happen. The turn was processed and I again checked to see if any orders had been completed. The Ai’s orders had been completed. I processed my turn and was returned to the chat window where I reported success to the Host.

Upon trying to run Turn 3 the Host ran into a steam error. At this point we decided to call it quits and try the game on PBW. We had no idea what was causing the problem at this point, but we soon discovered what might have been the culprit.

As we set up the PBW game we discovered that one of the players files was not matching the host game. We trouble shooted the problem and continued the game.

It is my belief that the TCI/IP game would have worked had we all had the same files. This will have to be confirmed by a second attempt later on.


Bug / Glitch
1. Chat log did not automatically advance downward as new comments were added. After a bit it did begin to function correctly. Not sure what caused the hang up, but thought it important to mention.

Suggestions for TCI/IP based upon my experience with it.

1. It would be nice if the chat log was saved somewhere for later reference.
2. The QUIT GAME button needs to be moved. It is in a very dangerous place.
3. A RESEND turn option would be nice
4. A CONFIRMATION that the Host has successfully received all turns would be nice for all players to see.
5. An error log would also be very helpful in isolating the cause of game failures.
6. The addition of one on one chat would be nice. This way two empires can communicate privately while waiting for turn files.

All in all it was a great attempt and I want to thank UserX for Hosting the game, and Captain Kwok for being there to play. Thank you both very much.

[Captain Kwok]

An interesting side note to our TCP/IP adventure was that we did end up playing 49 turns in just over 5hrs on PBW with 3 players.

[Fyron]

nm

[ January 11, 2004, 19:04: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[David E. Gervais]

I still haven't tried the PBW feature in SE4, and the only network I'm on is with my brother and he would not be interested in playing games.

Now about TCP/IP in SE5, Aaron has not discussed this feature at all with me, so I'm as blind as you when it comes to info on that... That said,..

If SE5 has any part of it as 'Real-Time' play, then it might be a neat feature to have. (Think of Starfury with multiplayer mode) I for one might be convinced to try something like that out. (It would be like the first steps to having a mmorpg in the Space Empires Universe. A very interesting idea.) The only drawback would be that if we could all get togeather Online in the game as opposed to here in the forums, then it might have a deprimental effect on the number of visits I/we make here as opposed to meeting Online in the game.

Anyway, it was an interesting pole, Cheers!

[ January 11, 2004, 12:17: Message edited by: David E. Gervais ]

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
nm

????? ????

[capnq]

I think that means 'no message', i.e. Fyron edited away a post that he couldn't delete.

[Fyron]

Well nm usually means either "nevermind" or "not much"...