2 small mp newbie questions

[Boron]

1. how do i play dominions in window mode in windows xp ?
2. what do i have to do that the server always makes next turn after all humans made their turn ?

1.) Put a command line switch in your shortcut for Dom2. "-w" or alternatively you can go into the options and disable the fullscreen mode and it should start in windows mode from then on.

2.) This is called Quickhost, if you check the box when you are serving that has Host Schedule and just click Quickhost the turn won't go until all turns have been put in, then as soon as all turns are in, it will generate a new turn.

[Boron]

thnx zen

another question :
when i am a bit more expierienced i would like to play dom 2 in mp too
but the games which are offered here are they mainly pbem or are they played simultaneous for some hours once a day/week or so ?

Originally posted by Boron:
another question :
when i am a bit more expierienced i would like to play dom 2 in mp too
but the games which are offered here are they mainly pbem or are they played simultaneous for some hours once a day/week or so ?

I would say 90% of the games offered here are TCP/IP with at least a 24 Hour Host Schedule (meaning a turn will be generated once a day) though you may see a few 48 Hour ones on occasion. I rarely see any PBEM's offered here, but on other MP forums they crop up from time to time. The most limiting factor is having a trustworthy and stable host for the game, which is why Mosenhansen's server is good since he has so generously allowed the Dom2 community to use it. Another good place is the Qt3 server found at the Quarter to Three website in games.

[Vynd]

Even network Dom II games with a server have a lot more in common with PBEM-style play than they do with a typical network multi-player game. Regardless of which method you use, the game doesn't require everyone to be on-line and playing at the same time. The server and the person running a PBEM game are doing essnetially the same things (sending turns out, receiving them, "hosting" to generate the next turn), the only difference with the server is that it is all automated.

People do sometimes play network MP games in "blitz" sessions, where everyone agrees to play at the same time so many turns can be completed in a relatively short period of time. But that's usually just to start out a game, when turns don't take very long to play.

[Boron]

oh thnx
how long does a mp game then normally Last ?
if it Lasts only 50 turns even with a blitz startup period it Lasts 1 month i guess ?

[Esben Mose Hansen]

Originally posted by Boron:
oh thnx
how long does a mp game then normally Last ?
if it Lasts only 50 turns even with a blitz startup period it Lasts 1 month i guess ?

Longer, usually. Many of the games on my server that has ended has ended after 50--60 days. Some a still running after >79 days (where the statistics were lost due to a database redesign).

[Karacan]

Originally posted by Boron:
1. how do i play dominions in window mode in windows xp ?

Hitting alt-enter toggles between fullscreen and windowed mode also, without bothering the options page. I use it rather frequently myself.