Slitherine

Hello all. I'm an old Steel Panthers World at War player (streSSfx) from way back and used to enjoy timed online team matches with other players, where you could watch what was happening while your opponents moved (providing you could spot his units of course). I thought these engagements although often taking a long time were by far the most fun turn based battles I've had online. I also used to like playing hotseat battles with my uncle over a few beers and pretzels. It appears that although a free game, SPWAW's multiplayer had many more options than BA.
A'm I missing something or is the only way to have a 2 player BA game via the rather limited Pbem format ?

I'm not sure what you mean. BA supports hotseat (you do need to set a tweak which allows you to play yourself through the MP system, so it could be a little more friendly for sure).

I think you might be talking about being online at the same time while each other goes? While we have had a few requests for this mode, I think the majority of people probably don't have the time to sit and play for hours to get to a conclusion, which is why the current system allows you to play turns as and when you have enough time for a quick turn.

Rereading your post, I'm not sure if you have the game, so I should point out that PBEM is something of a misnomer really - the multiplayer mode is entirely integrated into the game, and you can manage, play, and create games at the touch of a button.

Hope that helps, but feel free to let me know if I have missed the point of your question

Cheers

Pip

Being online at the same time is exactly what I'm talking about and if you havn't played you don't know what your missing. Your always on the field, watching your tanks being blown up or hearing and seeing the enemy's armour move around. granted it does take time but you can put a timer on to keep things moving and apply pressure if you like. team battles were particularly enjoyable. Tis a shame it has not been implemented because you could finnish a whole game in 2-3 hours. Would have been great to have the option available.
thanks for the reply, and how does hot seat work ?

I can definitely see the attraction, it's just an entirely different approach, and I know that I for one would find it tough to care out many 3 hour chunks of time to finish a game .

Hotseat works very simply, you just set up a game as per normal in multiplayer (with a password usually, otherwise someone will jump on your challenge!) and then simply accept it yourself. Then you play out your turns as per usual, just with you the only player. This means that you can play at any rate you like, and even come back to a hotseat game at a later date. But basically, you click play when it's your go .

Another option, which for example is automated in FoG, is run a paired game. Set up the same map, but each play a different side, then you always have a turn ready, and can play pretty much constantly .

Cheers

Pip

it seems i cannot except my own challenges ? the accept button remains greyed out or innactive and i don't really understand this other method, (fog ?),
and no I'm not looking to play myself, but would like to get it working for when a friend comes over

If you have correctly added the text to your users.txt

How to

Start game
click multiplayer
click my challenges tab
click new challenge at bottom
Select battle, side, type password, click check mark
back to my challenges screen, click accept challenge tab
click the battle that you created (nameofbattle yourname side)
click the accept challenge at the bottom and the check mark popup
type password and click check mark
click my games tab
you should see the new game listed and go from there

I wasn't sure whether you wanted detailed instructions, but you need to go to My Documents/My Games/BBCBA. Open the user.txt document, and add the line

AllowMPHotseat 1

then save the file and restart the game. You will then be able to accept your own challenges.

Cheers

Pip

I have a MP question. When I go to the MP screen I see a list of games with red padlocks and green (opened) padlocks. (I have not tried to join one yet but I will in the next day or two ...)

but, are the red (or locked) games, games with passwords that are challenges made to an individual or specific person, instead of an open offer to "any and all challengers"?

or are those ongoing games? (in progress)

I assume if I click on a green open game I'll get the subsequent screen to join a new game.

Correct. Red padlocks are for games where the creator has set a password, so usually games destined for a specific person (e.g. if people are running a tournament). Green games are open for anyone to take up a challenge.

Good hunting!

Cheers

Pip