Basic Configuration

The configuration of multiplayer in Feudalism is very simple. The server computer (Host), which configures the game and the players who take part, start the game and create a savegame file which then has to be shared with other players. Players upload the file and play their turn normally and when they finish, a new file with all player actions is generated. This file must return to the Host, which then processes them generating a new savegame. At this point the cycle begins again. It may sound old-fashioned as a solution, but offers two clear advantages:

• Anyone can act as a server and they do not need anything except the game itself. There is no need for fancy hardware or expensive dedicated server or hosting services.
• The match can be played asynchronously. It is not necessary that players play all at the same time.

If you use any shared network folder (local or in the cloud), just give the game this folder and you have completed the work to be done. Using any free service for sharing and synchronization, like Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive, you can play multiplayer games with friends around the world very easily, no need to worry about sending files to anyone. In addition, if a player forgets or can not perform his turn for some reason, the AI of the game can take over and prevent the player losing their turn. Keep in mind the only one thing with this type of approach to the game: When the Host processes their turn, all your units move at the same time of your enemy. You must plan your strategy based on the fact that you can move to a target, while this is moving somewhere else (perhaps toward you!). The game solves this situation, for which the Attack command causes the enemy to be “chased”.

Starting Multiplayer Games

The multiplayer game is created exactly like a single player game, except it should be specified that it is a multiplayer game, and shall provide a folder in which data is exchanged. Optionally (but highly recommended) a password can be set. Each player can set a password (and change it at any time), to protect their data. Here's how to create a multiplayer game using Dropbox as a synchronization tool. First, in the options of the initial game menu we need to set the shared folder. The special tag %userpath automatically takes the user profile location on hard drive, for example C:/Users/UserName/. It should be done only once, unless you decide to change the folder, of course. In this case it shoulld point to a subfolder of Dropbox installed on your computer.

The next step is to create a New Game and configure it as you prefer. In this case, each family added manually, will then be controlled by a different human player, so do not forget to enter all your friends! :-) From the Multiplayer Settings panel, then you must set the correct modes of play, precisely Multiplayer. From here it is possible to override the shared folder, if desired (output path). It is useful if you want to make more games simultaneously, for example, and break them down by sub folders.
In addition, the password of the Game Master would always be a good idea to set it (default is master).
These are the basic settings for the Multiplayer. Then there are lots of options that relate to the game itself, but these ones we leave you to discover! :-) Point 1 After the configuration, starting the game, the host creats the first savegame. The game is created! A simple message informs us that everything is ready. The file name has a unique id for each game. Once the message is closed, the game will automatically return to the main menu.
Point 2 Now, all the other players, who have the shared folder set to the Dropbox folder, will gather the files on their computer. From the game menu, Load Game, Multiplayer tab, the file must be loaded. (If the file is not there, make sure you have active sync on that folder!). A new window prompts you to select your family and eventually, password.
Point 3 At this point, each player plays as they see fit, and when ready, press the End Turn command, closes his turn and the data end up in a special file created in the shared folder. The new message tells us that the file was created.
Point 4 The host player, will find in his shared folder the files of everything. In agreement with the other players, he will decide when to run the new turn and start again from step 1.

Conclusions

As you can see the mechanism is quite simple (just play one turn to figure out how it works) and using any free file sharing service like Dropbox, you then do not have to worry about sending or moving files (normally play, finish the turn, end ... you not to do anything else). And if you are anti-file sharing services, you can always exchange your files as you wish, by email or floppy if you prefer! :-) And if you are a programming geek and want to create your automated data exchange service...you can do it because the host can be run from the command line!

[ 2016-06-04 22:29:33 CET ] [ Original post ]