29-09-2004 23:29									#1
	Multiplayer PBEM overhaul Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

Not holding my breath about implementation, but I've been thinking about MP issues...

Whilst most people play this game for fun and play entirely to the spirit of the game, there are known examples of what one would call suspect play. *cough* the ISDG *cough*. Replaying a turn in SP is a temptation, knowing not to attack that spearman with your tank because it was so gauling for example, it is the same in MP. Most resist the urge. I want to remove temptations as I know if someone wants to cheat they can, but removing the temptation is more than half the battle.

I wouldn't mind having some system where games you are in are not sent to your e-mail inbox, rather you just get notifications that the turn is ready to play. You then log onto a server that hosts the game and you then play the turn, preferably once, but more times if necessary (sometimes it happens that you have to replay a turn because of valid reasons) with any repeat plays of a turn being logged. After completing the turn you then get a copy of the game sent to your e-mail so that you can study it as you would a normal save, except of course you can't move units around or perform any other actions.

Storage space on servers shouldn't be too much of a problem. The hosting servers could be regular gaming sites who would appreciate the traffic associated with people logging in.


Berate my idea at your pleasure.

	30-09-2004 01:15									#2
	Got spare money?

any thought about auto saves?

Once a person plays, it is saved to the appropriate folder?

hopefully what you talk about are the few people who this evil deed.

	30-09-2004 19:59									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

This is solid idea. Although I consider myself lucky that my "PBEM buddies" don't engage in this behavior, it's a benefit to have a verifiable, auditable system to ensure fair gameplay.

For convenience reasons alone, it would be nice to use one interface when playing PBEMs. Using the "Civ Interface" for managing/sending saves as opposed to opening Civ, then opening up email, then posting on the forum.