PBEM game...

[centrifuge]

Could someone give me a quick workup of how PBEM works (Game merchanics I mean) ? I've never played a civ game MP, and if this is something where I wouldn't have to sit at my computer for hours at a time, I may be interested.

[Maquiladora]

I found this from a CtP1 Multiplaying thread, sums it up quite well :

There are two types of games in Call to Power, Online games and Play-by-Email games (PBEM for short). Online games are played much the same way as most other multiplayer games are - several players are connected to a game server at once, and they're playing their turns at the same time. It usually takes two or three 4 hour sessions to finish a game (online gamers, correct me). If you're on a modem connection, it's highly possible that you will not be enjoying such a game, also, you are connected all the time to the Internet, so it will also cost you.

This is why the second type of games, PBEM, is so popular. PBEM games generally take many months to complete, but you can well be in several at the same time, and also it has some nice advantages, like the roleplaying that is done by players. Here's how PBEM works: game started creates the map, usually gives each player a quick start pack, like 5 Settlers and 3000 gold, and the turn is travelling by email. Which means, you will receive the turn in your mailbox, as an attachment, which you open, and play a turn. One turn. After it's finished, a savegame is put on your desktop that you attach to a message and send to the next player, the one after you. In a fast game, you can count on receiving a new turn every day. PBEM games usually have moderators that receive a copy of each turn - in case the game gets stalled, they are responsible for finding where the turn is, and what action is to be taken.

and abit more ...

Here are some basic things you should know about PBEM:

1. PBEM is the way to start a game with human opponents without having to worry about the time pressure:
"Damn I have to leave. I have an urgent job to do"
"Common harry up dude! I don't want to wait a whole life to play the next turn!"
"I am an American. I can play from 1:00AM-5:00AM (GMT). Man, I am Europian and I can only play from 6:00PM-10:00PM (GMT)."
"Is it day or night?"
You can play via email at any time you like and yes you can go to the rest room without having to worry about what excuse to find .

[centrifuge]

Thanks Maquiladora.
Sounds good! Do you think we could create a PBEM tournament?

[Maquiladora]

Most certainly, IF and its a big one, the human-to-human diplomacy works. Alot depends on that, and besides that, on how many people would be actually be interested in this type of game(about 4 so far ). Lets concentrate on starting first

[Vultur]

There is place for an other player?

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by Vultur
There is place for an other player?

At the moment theres no plans to start a game at all, because humans cant make proposals or gifts or any other communication to another human in game. I dont think anyone is continuing work on it now so we'd have to start a game without human-human diplomacy, and not alot of people want to do that.

[Maquiladora]

Hmm strange database error doesnt show me as the last reply

[Immortal Wombat]

If I read the Civ2 newsitem of Sept 14th correctly, I don't think Civ2 had Human-Human diplomacy until last week either... we should be able to manage

[Maquiladora]

The cpu takes over negotiations when its not the humans turn in Civ2, so it makes it still possible to exchange maps and techs and stuff. (that was before the fix announced on the 14th that is)

Like i said in the first post of this thread, i have no problem without human to human negotiations, its just getting other people interested in starting a game and someone to moderate.

I havent tried yet, but is it possible to play scenarios through pbem?

[Locutus]

Yes, Maq, scenarios work fine.

Well, Maquiladora, Vultur, centrifuge and NukeBoy are interested in a PBEM game (leftover_crack won't be posting here anymore anytime soon, if ever) - sounds like you guys have a game! All you have left to do is determine the settings and start playing

[Maquiladora]

I was counting IW in that too unless he wants to state otherwise... or moderate for us

Ill PM the others and see if theyre still interested. We can iron out the details and possibility of 'quickstart' settings then.

[Maquiladora]

hmm there seems to be 2 NukeBoy's One Nukeboy and one Nuke Boy. Ill assume its the second for now.

[centrifuge]

I'm in...

Though, you'll have to let me know what adjustments need to be made to which files, in order to make PBEM work. Other than that, Let's roll

[Pedrunn]

Wait!!!
You can make proposal in PBEM with one of my codes!
Of couse you guys will have to give up of some proposal types.
The ones that use arguments like give gold (argument = gold amount), give city (argument = wich city), reduce pollution (argument = pollution amount).
Of couse i could just remove the argument of some of them like reduce pollution but without the amount, etc...
And you guys cant make counter-proposal and threat (I could remove the button if you like).

Are these sacrifices bearable???

It is up to you to decide.

[centrifuge]

See what you can do Pedrunn ,

ohh, about my question above, I found the answer... Suppose that I should reread the thread once in a while