Newcomer? Welcome!

[SenniTreborius]

A SAV file is the save data of the game. It is a binary file, not much to see in there. I just opened them in the game to see the turns.

So to go forward with this idea I would have to learn to hack binary files, cool!

[t_ras]

Why would you need to hack them? they Don't contain movement history.

[SenniTreborius]

Why would you need to hack them? they Don't contain movement history.

I thought you said it did.
To reiterate, I was looking for a way to watch all players moves in an MP AAR. IF the players were willing to give their files to a compositor, AARs could be replayed in SMACX and recorded to video for others to watch. That was the idea that I was pursuing.

[Buster's Uncle]

If everyone posted all their turns and you had the passwords, you could (laboriously) patch the game together and do that...

[SenniTreborius]

If everyone posted all their turns and you had the passwords, you could (laboriously) patch the game together and do that...

Yes, that was what I wanted. Oops, guest just arrived, off line for a while.

[Buster's Uncle]

...You might look around for a concluded game w/ everyone posting their turns and see if the CMN can dig up the passwords...

[SenniTreborius]

...You might look around for a concluded game w/ everyone posting their turns and see if the CMN can dig up the passwords...

Dear Buncle, my thoughts on the matter. The problem is I do not know the intricacies of the matter.
1. When a CMN watches a player's move do they see each move made by the player. And do they keep a copy of each save file or is this a players duty. Can they play one after the other by loading up saves sequentially.
2. Could such save files be patched together easily by removing or replacing the beginning and end of a file, (sort of like a header and footer, but in binary). So that a total turn or even game could be watched. Or can files be played sequentially. (This would have the added advantage of that the normal hesitations and pauses as a player considers their move would be eliminated).
3. How soon after a game do the CMN and players delete their saves.
4. Is there a list of CMNs that can be contacted.
5. Is there a list of completed games.
6. (And, I am away to check on this), how does one get an MP game going.
7. In what format is data transferred in an IP game.
8. And this question just because it bugs me not to know. Why aren't players who drop out replaced by giving the password for their position to someone who (hopefully) likes a challenge. Or can the Factions AI be turned back on.

[Buster's Uncle]

Just have a look through old threads in this folder - you should be able to see who set it up, and that's the CMN.  I think the only way what you want to do could work would be to load saves one at a time and video what shows at the turn beginning.  You're not going to have any luck trying to hack together saves, or anything like that.

[SenniTreborius]

Just have a look through old threads in this folder - you should be able to see who set it up, and that's the CMN.  I think the only way what you want to do could work would be to load saves one at a time and video what shows at the turn beginning.  You're not going to have any luck trying to hack together saves, or anything like that.

Thanks for that information. I'm sort of relieved, and what you suggest sounds a lot easier. Now I can return to trying to record games. I must admit I am somewhat inclined to go of at a tangent when pursuing interesting ideas. And I just offered to be a replacement  in a game where someone had to drop out. My first MP, which is one of the reasons why I joined up in the first place.
Edit:when you say folder, do you mean Category, Forum, sub-forum or thread. I'm still gettting used to BBS speak.

[Buster's Uncle]

Sub-forum.

Be warned that I've noticed some of the MPlayers skip the turn tracking thread posting - there's a lot each player can't see, especially early in a game, and that would leave a big hole.  So always check for that, as well as the game actually concluded.

Also, Earthmichael is the best - look for games he was in for high-level play.

[JeroenDStout]

I just tried it in SMAC and in a PBEM (locally on my own computer) I do not see the unit moves, only the outcome. Winning/losing battles are shown by a menu which says what I lost / won.

That is a little disappointing, it might be hard to see from that how someone is playing.

EDIT: in SMAX you only get the lost/won menu, too. So you had better remember your unit positions!

[Kurvivor]

Hello. What is the appropriate place for asking for advice when stuck in single player?

[Buster's Uncle]

The Theory of Everything 

[Eadee]

So, finally I made it to this subforum as well.

I'd really like to try out a multiplayer PBEM game. Haven't done a single one so far.

[Buster's Uncle]

It'll probably take a while for a game to turn up; keep checking back for announcement threads and such.