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mj12games.com/forum → Starmada → Starmada as PBEM?
Does anyone play this by email? How suited is it to playing that way?
I'd imagine that a VASSAL client for this would be pretty easy to make.
I'd never considered it as a PBEM game, but I tend to prefer my "blowing up spaceships" games in person. More smack talk, and the dice herding is less annoying. 
I also prefer my starship blowuppity in FtF format, but find a deplorable paucity of players IRL...
Some sort of good, idiot proof client woudl be wonderful. As elegant as the game is, it shoudlnt be -hard-.. but Im incompetent as to programming, so I cant really say what would, and would not be, hard.
FWIW, I prefer face to face - I've never heard anyone that prefers PBEM.
That being said, I've had a crappy shift or no local opponents for some time, and wouldn't mind trying it. Thursday evenings are good..
There are any number of clients available - Todd Zircher had V_MAP. V_MAP might be offline, Todd had issues with the server provider. If you want it, email me offlist and I'll see if I've got it around - likely I burned it onto a CD. It's the one that I'm most familiar with. There's at least half a dozen open source or freeware solutions.....
http://home.nycap.rr.com/davisje/ftjava/index.html
http://www.sonic.net/~rknop/jv_map/
http://ludo.iwarp.com/gub/GUB.versions.html
http://www.download.com/Strategic-Map-Simulator/3000-2121_4-10031205.html
http://www.warplanner.com/
(think this is shareware)
http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/
http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php
Some links to wade through:
http://grognard.com/aides.html
http://pbem.brainiac.com/indexold.htm
I don't mind PBeM. Had several good games with John Davis' FT Tourney's. (didn't do so good in the one on ones...but kicked butt in the squadron / home design engagements)
While it doesn't replace FtF...at least it allows one to play!
Like I said, Thursday evenings are usually good...
I am going to patch together a vassal module if anyone is interested in playing via PBEM. When I get it all done (probably in late June, sadly), I will invite people to play a PBEM tournament, I think. The requirement for entry? Help me learn this game!
I am going to patch together a vassal module if anyone is interested in playing via PBEM. When I get it all done (probably in late June, sadly), I will invite people to play a PBEM tournament, I think. The requirement for entry? Help me learn this game!
Cool! Keep me in mind...
No hurry on my account, I've not had a GOOD sit down Starship game since ..oh....1988?
Roleplaying games, some teaching sessions to get more opponents, but nothing that was much fun....
Okay - I kicked Peter Drakes butt in Astromachia via Email once...
There is already a VASSAL starmada mod - its in the files section on the yahoo group.
There is already a VASSAL starmada mod - its in the files section on the yahoo group.
Yes, I know, and it seems fully functional. I would like to add a few things and some new graphics to it, however. I'm no expert at Vassal but I think there are a couple of functions I could add to enhance the already nice module that is there.
That's a good idea. I've had a bit of a play with the existing version and it seems pretty good, but could do with a bit of tweaking. Let us know when you've had a chance to update it?
I'd certainly be interested in having a go at PBEM - its not something I've tried before, but I don't have anyone to play with out here!
... but I don't have anyone to play with out here!
This seems to be a pretty common refrain. *chuckles*
Yeah, I usually play with a friend, but we havn't had a chance recently. I'm itching to vaporise some starships....
That's a good idea. I've had a bit of a play with the existing version and it seems pretty good, but could do with a bit of tweaking.
If anyone has any feature requests, please let me know.
how about better graphics?
Updates for AE edition?
Well, there will be some graphics updates but don't expect too much from me.
I will be updating somewhat for AE although I'm not sure how much needs to change at this point.
How about a movement tracker? In many vassal modules there is a trail when a piece is moved. Would that be helpful for "spot-checking" the translation of plotted movement to the board?
And on the FtF side, perhaps an opponent location folder on these here forums? Just my 2 cents.
I can supply some graphics if you contact me offlist, I'd have to get Dan's permission to let you have anything that's in the recent Starmada books.
Offlist, please....
After having a look at the current module (2.0) there are a couple of things i'd like to see:
- Another fleet or 2 (just cosmetic really)
- A background or map, rather than just black space
- The removal of the 5 or 6 "Pick board" screens on start up
- Are there any planets or other terrain in game at the moment? I forgot to look (other than the Kraken of course....)
How are we proposing to play this? Would each player keep a local version of the game saved, and make thier opponents moves on thier own board, or would moves be submitted to a central moderator, who updates a master copy of the game and sends out feedback?
There will definitely be new fleets. I need to contact the creator of the original module to see if he minds my using his fleets.
After having a look at the current module (2.0) there are a couple of things i'd like to see:
- Another fleet or 2 (just cosmetic really)
- A background or map, rather than just black space
- The removal of the 5 or 6 "Pick board" screens on start up
- Are there any planets or other terrain in game at the moment? I forgot to look (other than the Kraken of course....)How are we proposing to play this? Would each player keep a local version of the game saved, and make thier opponents moves on thier own board, or would moves be submitted to a central moderator, who updates a master copy of the game and sends out feedback?
How are we proposing to play this? Would each player keep a local version of the game saved, and make thier opponents moves on thier own board, or would moves be submitted to a central moderator, who updates a master copy of the game and sends out feedback?
Ok, ignore this bit. I had a fiddle with it yesterday, and a read through the documentation. VASSAL is more clever than I gave it credit for - it has PBeM support built in, via the use of log files.
Yes, I used to be a Cyberboard guy but Vassal has some key functions that Cyberboard does not. I've used it to play a small handful of games and find a well-made module very easy to use for solo or PBEM play.
I actually played a solo game of Starmada AE on Vassal the other day. Two Swiftsure DDs against a Victory CA. The CA rolled terribly the first 3 turns and still managed to maul one of the Swiftsures but in the meantime was pretty severely damaged (half its hull was gone). In the last (fourth!) turn it faced an undamaged Swiftsure and... drum roll ... "sank" it. Of course, the CA had 1 hull left and only two weapons. Fun!
I wish I understood Vassal.
It seems very complicated.
I wish I understood Vassal.
It seems very complicated.
It's really not complicated to use. I'll teach you. 8)
I just played through a solo game, which worked pretty well. I won (of course!) Talking of changes, it would be good if the "terrain" could be moved/deleted after being placed. It currently "locks" itself after being placed, which is ok for planets, but annoying for explosions etc.
Wait a sec - do ships explode in the admiralty edition? I can't find any mention of it...?
EDIT: D'oh, found the section on explosions.
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