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PBEM Games - How Do They Work and Help with Error Message

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 3:21 am
by Old_Warrior
Ok, I am new here, just bought the game over on the Matrix site and have a question concerning PBEM games.

1. How do I start up a PBEM game?

2. How are the files named?

3. What folder do they get saved to?

4. I tried using the Multiplayer selection at the main menu but got an error message. I have the latest version of the game as found at the Matrix site. 1.2.6. The error message I got was: Sorry, could not parse response (version string). I have sent in a support email to Matrix but if anyone knows what the Mutliplayer option is for and why I am getting that email it will help.

System: AMD 64 bit 2600 mhz processor, ASUS M3N78 MB. 8 GB RAM. Windows XP 64 bit OS.

I am really enjoying the game so far. It has yet to crash. I own the miniature rules and all 13 supplements but have yet to play against anyone. I am looking to paint up the Crusades period. Maybe a couple of armies.

Its great that a computer version of this game exists.

I echo my sentiments that the English longbow seems a bit weak! :lol:

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:33 am
by Gunjin
You dont need to do anything in the way of saving files ect. The game does everything for you.

Accept/Issue a challenge and just follow the on screen prompts.

Challenges with padlocks next to them are private challenges, so they are password protected.

Good luck.

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:20 pm
by Old_Warrior
So the Multiplayer option in the game is how you start up a PBEM game?

Files are saved to what folder in the game?

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:46 pm
by keyth
There is a multiplayer server that manages the game files. In the multiplayer option, you can issue and accept challenges. Once you have an 'active' game, you will be able to see it in your 'Current games'. These games are sorted whether it is your turn, your opponent's turn or if it has finished (finished games remain for a few days, not sure exactly how many).

If you select a game where it is your turn, you can click 'Play'. I'm guessing that this downloads a temporary file. You take your turn and when you pause (save game) or finish your turn, the game gets saved back to the server. If you have finished your turn, The game will move to the 'Opponents turn' list. You don't need to do anything except log-in when you select multi-player, all the files transactions are automatic.

Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 7:06 pm
by Old_Warrior
Thanks much. Just hoping to figure out why I cannot connect with the server from the game.

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 8:18 pm
by RussProv
I tried using the Multiplayer selection at the main menu but got an error message. I have the latest version of the game as found at the Matrix site. 1.2.6. The error message I got was: Sorry, could not parse response (version string). I have sent in a support email to Matrix but if anyone knows what the Mutliplayer option is for and why I am getting that email it will help.


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I'm getting the same message which means I cannot play multiplayer games, did you get a solution?

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 8:20 pm
by pipfromslitherine
Have you tried it recently? We did have some server problems a week or so ago.

If it is recent, then it's a strange issue. The multiplayer button should take you into the lobby where you can accept a challenge, and play any waiting turns.

The first thing I would check is that there are no firewall warnings coming up telling you that traffic is being blocked or re-routed.

Thanks

Pip

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:04 pm
by RussProv
pipfromslitherine wrote:Have you tried it recently? We did have some server problems a week or so ago.

If it is recent, then it's a strange issue. The multiplayer button should take you into the lobby where you can accept a challenge, and play any waiting turns.

The first thing I would check is that there are no firewall warnings coming up telling you that traffic is being blocked or re-routed.

Thanks

Pip
No, just tried again but the same error message appears. I have checked the (PC Tools) firewall and it's been set to allow all traffic in and out, it makes no difference at all. I just bought the game last week ad the multiplayer option has always given the same response.

Russ

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 10:13 pm
by pipfromslitherine
It sounds like rather than communicating with the server, you are getting back either a 404 page (that it cannot find the server at all) or some other re-direction.

Do you have any addons or ISP things which might try and add information to returned web pages?

Cheers

Pip

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 10:28 pm
by RussProv
pipfromslitherine wrote:It sounds like rather than communicating with the server, you are getting back either a 404 page (that it cannot find the server at all) or some other re-direction.

Do you have any addons or ISP things which might try and add information to returned web pages?

Cheers

Pip
Nothing like that pip, just a message box with the error message and an "ok" button. The only other programs running are my firewall and anti virus and Advanced System Care.

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 10:30 pm
by RussProv
I tried disabling the firewall too, still no luck.

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 10:33 pm
by pipfromslitherine
You wouldn't see anything - but if the ISP is returning extra data (like an ad bar etc) on any webpage then it could be confusing the game when it tries to read the info it needs to get back from the server.

If you open google, do you just get the plain google page?

Cheers

Pip

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 11:01 pm
by RussProv
pipfromslitherine wrote:You wouldn't see anything - but if the ISP is returning extra data (like an ad bar etc) on any webpage then it could be confusing the game when it tries to read the info it needs to get back from the server.

If you open google, do you just get the plain google page?

Cheers

Pip
Yepm plain Google page.

I'll have a look and see what toolbars I have.

Ta

Russ

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:03 pm
by RussProv
Here's what I get when I try running Multiplayer, it runs through fairly fast so I never saw the 1st error before:

Image

Image

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:16 pm
by RussProv
Found a post with the solution
GaiusMarius wrote:Thanks for the fast answer. The problem is solved for me now: just tried to register my FoG Matrix Serial Number into the Slitherine web site (http://www.slitherine.com/register_serial.php) with my Slitherine account. everything is working fine.
Cheers for the help anyway Pip.

It's now working fine, i just had to register my game again.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:26 pm
by pipfromslitherine
So the issue was that the serial wasn't registered? I'm not clear from the post :)

Cheers

Pip

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:46 pm
by RussProv
pipfromslitherine wrote:So the issue was that the serial wasn't registered? I'm not clear from the post :)

Cheers

Pip
I had already registered before the patches were installed I think, I should have registered again after updating the game. Doh.

Thanks again.

Russ

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:57 pm
by pipfromslitherine
That shouldn't have made a difference - unless you had registered some serials but not all of them? It's still not a very useful error report, which is why I am trying to pin down exactly what was going on :).

Cheers

Pip