• Multi-Player PBEM & Blitz

  • What is PBEM
    PBEM stands for Play By E-Mail. In Stars! it is used to refer to the method of playing whereby each player is sends and receives their turn files by e-mail. PBEMs are usually played at a rate of 1 turn each day or every few days, and thus the game will be stretched over a period of several months.
    
    This method has several advantages:
    • Players don't have to be online at the same time to play
    • Players can fit taking their turns into their own schedule
    • The pace of turns means players can take as long as they like over their turns
    • Diplomacy can play a big part as the timescales allow for discussion among players
    
    
    • Game Setup
      • If the game is to be played on Autohost then you should e-mail Ron Miller and let him know you wish to reserve / queue a spot.
      • All the players send the host their race files ( racename.r1 ) for the particular game.
      • The host generates a new game, either using the stars program or from the command line using a *.def file.
      • If the universe is to be re-mapped or there are other scenario setup then the host does this.
      • If the game is to be played on Autohost then the files should be submitted ( click here for details ).
      • For Autohost games just let the players know the url of your game page when it is ready.
      • The host sends each player a copy of the universe definition file ( gamename.xy ).
      
      For games hosted manually the procedure is as follows:
      • The host sends each player their turn file ( gamename.m5 goes to player #5 and so on).
      • The players take their turns and the host waits for them to return their submitted turn files ( gamename.x1 )
      • The host generates a new turn using the host file ( gamename.hst ), this can be done before all players have submitted.
      • The above steps are repeated for each new turn.
    
    
  • How to find new PBEMs to join.
    • Most new PBEM games are posted to rec.games.computer.stars
    • X-Dude specialises in huge "monster" 16 player games, see his site for details, (not recommended for beginners)
    • Glen Hibbard (AKA Mr Stars!) maintains "the list", which is an e-mail mailing detailing all the new PBEMs that where posted to the NG during the day or sent to him direct. Send an e-mail to stars-sn-games-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe.
      Or visit his site: http://www.stars-thelist.co.uk
    
    
    
  • What is Blitz
    Blitz style play is where the game is played online in semi-realtime, new turns are usually generated every 5 minutes.
    
    This method has several advantages:
    • Often multi-year generations are used where the players only submit for every 4th or 5th year (ie 2400, 2404, 2408, 2412 etc)
    • Blitz style games are usually played in tiny universe and occasionally a small, but very, very rarely on a medium+ size universe.
    • Blitz style games usually last several hours and played in a single stint.
    • Diplomacy is very brief, as the lack of time and pace of game don't allow time for big negotiations.
    
    
    • Where To Find
      Using an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client, (such as mIRC ), log onto one of the following servers:
      Starlink.org
      • Denver.CO.US.StarLink.Org
      • Glen.VC.AU.StarLink.Org
      • WichitaFalls.TX.US.StarLink.Org
      • SanJose.CA.US.StarLink.Org
      • Detroit.MI.US.StarLink.Org
      • Stockholm.SE.EU.StarLink.Org
      • CricInfo.LO.UK.Starlink.Org
      • WeAreTheB.org
      
      Then log onto the chat room #stars!
      If you have any difficulty transferring files using mIRC, then ask the other players present for assistance.
      
      Note: The #stars! chat room is a *lot* less active than in previous times, so if no one responds its likely everyone is busy doing other things.

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