The suggestion is in the title, but here are a few details on how I would see it. I apologize from advance for the many mistakes I'll do, english is not my mother tongue.
A php web interface (simple, with maybe some graphics taken from the game, flags, units, etc...), which would allow the registration of players.
- A player can create a new game, choosing one of the campaigns available in the standard version of the game (mods could be implemented later, why not) and chooses his side, or let it open for the other player.
- Another player can then join the game (options : any player, or on invitation only). Players email adresses would be mandatory at registration.
- Begining of the campaign, the server starts a new game and saves the .trn files of both players in a dedicated directory.
- Turn files (.trn) are sent to both players by mail, or a notification, and they can use the web interface to download them (righ click and save...). A light client or an option in the standard game could also offer this functionality.
- Something more user friendly and less complicated than saving the files at the correct place each time would be really great.
- When a player has ended his orders, he sends the .ord file to the server. Once again, by whatever way Ageod would offer, upload from the web interface, mail or function in the game (or other, it is only a technical detail).
- Web interface is then updated to "file received" for this player's turn. He can still change his turn until the other player sends his file.
- When the server has received both orders files, and has validated them (I guess that there are a few checks, like correct turn number, etc...), it puts them in the directory created for this game, and solves the turn. With the APIs or a dedicated version of the game, no need to downloads the graphical interface and all, and since there would be no AI, it should be quick. Turns may eventually be solved only when requested by one of the players, from the web interface.
- New turn files would then be available for both players, back to step 1, and loop until the game is over.
Advantages :
- No more "cheating" or people being suspicious, since the solving is done by a completely neutral third party.
- Bug reports would be far easier, since the Ageod team could get the saved files from a simple game id on the server (Ageod would of course have an admin interface for them).
- Some turns backup, if the server keeps track of the previous turns. You could then request from the server to receive any turn played (or from the X last ones). Why not, once game is over, make the turns public to everyone to see how things evolved during the game (nice to illustrate some strategies posted on the forum).
- Many other possibilities, like stats on players (level, avergae time taken to play a turn, etc...), why not challenges, this would add a real multiplayer dimension to the game.
- Can be extended to other Ageod's games.
- Allows games between players who would probably never have played together (or even played a PBEM game) else.
- Shows the advancement of the other player, no need to harass the other to know if he has received the orders, ended his, etc... (sorry, my addict side is facing the slowness of my current PBEM partner
)
"Problems"
- A dedicated computer at Ageod's
- Coding at Ageod's
- Support for problems at Ageod's
- Bandwidth used by Ageod, even if some compression tool could be used to reduce the use, and anyway, it's not like people were playing 20 turns a day.
This is the idea, all comments and suggestions welcome. Feel free to tell if this idea would or would not interest you, since it could only cost time (and money) to Ageod, this idea would be born only if players are really interested in it and request it.
