multiplayer

[axyarthur]

Hi,
What is the procedure for playing multi-player game? I've search the forum and the manual, but could not find any info. Basically I want to know how to set it up.
Thanks

[Kensai]

Essentially you need to process the turn with the orders of the other player(s) present. It demands some cut and paste of the exchanged files in the Saves folder, nothing more than that. Essentially any single-player game can become multi on the fly and viceversa.

If you search for players look at the PBEM section of the forums. If you are serious about historical realism you could even hit my sig.

[Jim-NC]

When you start the game, if you have .ord files for a nation, then that nation will be human controlled. Any nation that doesn't have a .ord file will change over to AI controlled. After you pick your scenario, start the game as normal. Then save the game (you can enter your orders). Do not process the turn! Then send the .trn files to the interested parties (other players, or even yourself- actually, you don't have to send to yourself to play 2 nations at the same time). They will load the .trn you sent (the cut and paste Kensai talks about above), and give their orders. The game will create a .ord file that they will have to send to you. You add the appropriate .ord files to the game (the same place as your .ord file), and then process the turn. Did I mention that you have to have everyone's orders to process the turn. (you can change from single to multiplayer on the fly, but it you have to tinker with some files to do that - easier to start from scratch as a multiplayer).

As Kensai says, there are 3 multiplayer games on the forums, and there are probably others going on as well. You can join one of the existing, or you can start your own. Enjoy the game.

[axyarthur]

So I try to player multiplayer following your directions, but still couldn't make it work. please tell me what did I do wrong:
1. Went to save folder in PON, create a new folder "test multi"
2. copy the .trn file from my single player US game into the new folder. Also change the name of the file to match name of folder.
3. I want to control Japan, so change end of file name from -USA to -JAP
4. start game, I could see there's a new saved game under name "test multi", and it shows the game as Japan, but when I loaded it, I'm still controlling US. When I press end turn, a message said -JAP.ord file is saved. but I start game again with file, it is still US control. How do I switch to controlling another nation?

thanks for help

[loki100]

simply remaining the .trn file doesn't change the content - you need orders from Japan to set it up, as Jim has said, what you need to do is to open the .trn and save orders as say Japan. Then you will have 2 .ord files (the original state and the new one) and so on.

[axyarthur]

simply remaining the .trn file doesn't change the content - you need orders from Japan to set it up, as Jim has said, what you need to do is to open the .trn and save orders as say Japan. Then you will have 2 .ord files (the original state and the new one) and so on.

That is my question, how do you save orders as Japan? and what do you mean by "open" .trn file? I just use "load game" option from game menu, and all I get is same turn, with no access to other nations. How do you "open" file to access other nations?

Sorry if I'm missing the obvious here, I don't have the game with me, but I will try few more when I get chance.

[Jim-NC]

Did you start the game as a multiplayer, or are you trying to become one?

If done correctly, on the 1st turn, before you process the turn (after you save). You should go to the main screen, and press load a game. When you go to the load screen, you should see 8 names (1 for each country), and they would each be a different color. At that piont, you can load the JAP.turn, and save your orders. If you don't see the JAP.trn file, you can click in near the top of the screen (it will say something like "show AI files" - don't have the game in front of me right now). This will now show you the list of the countries controlled by the AI. If this is where your JAP.trn file is located, then the game has placed it to AI. You can switch it back to human controlled (don't remember the exact sequence, but Kensai could help you with that).

[axyarthur]

ok, after starting a new game to test out, I know how to do multiplayer from the start. But if I started the game as single player, how do I change to multiplayer one? I think once you hit end turn as single player, all the AI files disappear and you can't get them back. That was the reason why I couldn't do it with my current in progress game.

Thanks for all the help, by the way.

[loki100]

Easiest way I know is a bit convoluted -

First save an order set for your current state. Lets say Russia.

Go back 1 turn (you'll need to copy backup1 to a new save game sequence, open the command screen using ~, then the option to shift host state for the next turn. Return to game, run as your new state, you'll now be in the same game turn as your original state. Do and save an order set, for say USA. Copy that .ord file to the original saved game.

Now run that turn, 2 states will be in player control, the rest AI. You can use the ~ option to switch between the 2 to generate a double set of orders.

You can of course do this for every playable nation.

I've done this a few times to test something, its easier to do than write, but I suspect there is a much more elegant solution so this is what I've worked out by trial and error.

[Kensai]

I will be soon (after I recreate the non-working Suez Channel) reactivating my AAR. Given that this was essentially a PBEM game, if anyone wishes to join, drop me a PM. Playing a multiplayer is always the best way to enjoy AGEOD games (Pride of Nations is no exception), especially if you consider the additional scripted adjustments that can be made.

Infos in the sig. Can't wait for v1.04 that might not be coming soon...