tcp/ip Net Play For Space Empires IV

sogard · #1 May 8th, 2001, 09:20 PM

I and a bunch of gaming friends have been getting together for the past few months to play SPACE EMPIRES IV (SE4) hot seat. We have been have a very good time and everyone enjoyed the games. But, we all say wouldn't it be soooo much better and easier if SE4 would just permit regular tcp/ip net play and enter the real world of multiplayer internet gaming.

I know that there are many here that are perfectly happy to play solo or those who prefer the glacial pace of a pbem game; but, I do not find either of these options that appealing to me. I have to believe that I am not alone in this viewpoint.

Does anyone know what the status of implenting tcp/ip play for SE4 is? I know early on, when SE4 was first released, there was talk about tcp/ip play being implemented in a "few months." Well, a few months have passed and I am hoping that tcp/ip has not been forgotten.

Tcp/ip would once again move SE4 to the forefront of my and many others' gameplay hit list.

Devnullicus · #2 May 8th, 2001, 09:23 PM

I have to agree with this, actually. TCP/IP play is probably the one thing this game REALLY needs, IMO.

geoschmo · #3 May 8th, 2001, 10:03 PM

I doubt anyone on the forum has an idea if/when malfador will be able to implement tcp/ip.

You could try sending an email to Aaron and see if you get a response on the subject.

Myself I have been playing multi-player SEIV for some time now. If you have a group of dedicated players, which you would have to for tcp/ip as well, it moves along considerably faster than you might think.

I would venture to say that with a lot of people in the game, say more than 6 or so, a simultaneous PBEM game would go faster than a hotseat game, if everybody will commit to staying Online and running their turns as fast as they get them.

But I am not trying to say tcp/ip doesn't interest me entirely. Just that PBEM is not as slow as you might think.

Geo

Sirkit · #4 May 8th, 2001, 11:50 PM

As i'm currently in a PBEM game I have to say, I like it, horrid as it sounds I find myself getting attatched to specific ships (Goomba!!) It's great! But I would like to see tcp/ip implemented if only to let me play a little longer than 5 turns a week.

Sirkit

Phoenix-D · #5 May 9th, 2001, 12:36 AM

Another game (Metal Knights) had an interestinf setup for this:

Anyone could log in and take their turn at any time (game were maintained on a master server). The turns could be set to a limited amount of time, say 24 hours, where everyone would have to take their turn. Another option was to advance the game as soon as the Last player finished. Combined with a tray app to let you know when you had a turn available, it worked rather well.

Phoenix-D

javaslinger · #6 May 9th, 2001, 12:38 AM

If you can get 6 or so players to stay Online for a TCP/IP game, you could very easily do it as SEIV is right now.

Just use something like the PBEM helper.

The trick is to get 6 players Online and stay Online for 6+ hours. What SEIV needs more than TCP/IP functionality is simply a meeting place of sorts. A server where we can congregate. Once we've all gotten together, it's easy enough to play.

Ken

geoschmo · #7 May 9th, 2001, 01:07 AM

Javaslinger and Phoenix-D,

These area both great ideas, and already being worked on. There is a SEIV play by web site that is being beta tested right now. It looks very promising.

If you are interested in getting involved, search the forum here for "Play by Web" and you should find a couple threads. One of them will have an email you can contact Admiral to sign up.

Here's the thread. I went ahead and looked it up to make it easier on you. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/002278.html

Geo

[This message has been edited by geoschmo (edited 09 May 2001).]

jimbob55 · #8 May 9th, 2001, 02:36 AM

In fact, you can register and start playing right now!!!

head over to http://seiv.admiral.com/index.html

There's a game recruiting with 17 empty slots, so feel free to join....

rodo · #9 May 9th, 2001, 06:40 AM

it's a must to urgently implement TCP/IP facility in a next patch ! I hope that the guys from malfador are working on it ...

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sogard · #10 May 9th, 2001, 11:55 PM

I read with interest the possibility of pbem sites and attempting to play Online with the pbem mechanisms already present in SE4. All it seems to me is that this convoluted solution underlines the real need for SE4 to implement tcp/ip play with the next patch.

I thought I recalled tcp/ip play being discussed from the start with SE4. It is great to see SE4 supported the way it is; but, in order to go further, tcp/ip play has to be part of the mix.