Guide of how to PBEM in Panzer Campaigns/FWWC titles.

[Mr Grumpy]

*Updated Dec 16*, note that this article uses images from Win XP but the info is still relevant even if you are using Win10, also the folder shown as "HPS Simulations" may now be shown as "John Tiller Software" and it is possible that some people may have both folders with the older disc games in the HPS folder and the newer digital download games being in a JTS folder.


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This is a step by step guide on how to set up a PBEM game in any of the HPS/JTS series of games, in this example I have used Sicily '43.

First player sets up the scenario

1) Open the title you wish to play and the game will default to this dialogue box...Select New-> Play-By-Email-> The scenario you wish to play -> OK


2) Click on which Side you wish to play -> tick the Fog-Of-War box and then click Rules...


3) This opens the Optional rules dialogue box, if you are new to these games (or the rules to be used have not been discussed) it is best to select the Default Optional rules, to exit click OK...


4) At this point the scenario will open and display the command report for the side you chose (in this case the Allied side)...


5) At this point you need to check you have set your game to require a password, go to the Settings menu and make sure PBEM Encryption is ticked..


6) Play your move.....Advance! Advance!!!!


7) When you are sure you have completed your move end the turn either by clicking the toolbar button or use the menu...

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8) The Save as dialogue box will now appear and you need to give the scenario a filename, this is the file that you and your opponent will be sending back and forth for the entire game (as a hint if you place an "i" in front of the filename i.e. !Foul_is_the_best.bte it will always show at the top of the file list an hence be easier to locate), click Save...


9) You will now be prompted to enter a password, do not forget this password as there is no way to retrieve it! Hit OK...


10) You will now see two dialogue box's informing you the turn has ended and the file is ready to send to your opponent...



11) Exit the game, you now need to attach the game file to an Email and send it to your opponent, you just attach the file to your return email...

..the file is located by opening the new Email, clicking "attach file" and then navigating to your the game folder (in our example Sicily '43) and within that game folder to the .bte file you are using (Foul_is_the-best.bte in this example) then hit "open", this will attach the file to the Email.

Second player receives the new game file

A) The second player should save or unzip the game file from the Email into the title folder that is being played (in our example Sicily '43) *Note the folder will be named John Tiller Software for the newer digital download games*...


B) When the game is opened you need to select the file you wish to play by selecting Old (by name) -> Play-By-Email -> Foul_is_the_best (for this example) and then OK..


C) You will now be asked if you wish to view your opponents battle replay, select yes to see the replay or no to move direct to your own move...


D) The Axis command report will appear...


E) At this point the second player also needs to check they have set the game to require a password, go to the Settings menu and make sure PBEM Encryption is ticked..


F) Play the Axis move, Pedal to the metal, get to the bridge!

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G) When you are sure you have completed your move end the turn either by clicking the toolbar button or use the menu...


H) The Axis player is now prompted to enter a password, do not forget this password as there is no way to retrieve it! Hit OK...


I) You will now see two dialogue box's informing you the turn has ended and the file is ready to send to your opponent...



J) Exit the game, you now need to attach the game file to an Email and send it back to your opponent...

Both players now follow the steps laid out for player two (apart from step E) for the rest of the scenario.......

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[alaric99x]

You've got everything pretty well covered, however, in step 11 you might also mention that it's a good idea to rename the bte file so that it can bed easily identified.

[Taffy6]

You might also want to suggest that in "Step 5" for the first player and "Step E" for the second player both parties should consider clicking "ask before advancing" under the setting menu.

Some of these PBEM games are massive and if you are playing on a team for a large campaign you don't want to "advance the turn" until all of the players on your team have completed their part of it. With the "ask" setting ticked, the player must pause and process the question before advancing the turn. With the "ask" setting unticked, a player can accidently advance a team turn with one fell accidental click of a button (a button which is located right next to the Change Travel Mode button too....) A real PITA in a PBEM campaign when you make that mistake!

Taffy

[Mr Grumpy]

Taffy6, alaric99x,

Thanks guys for you points both of which are very valid, however we have to be careful not to overwhelm a new player with too much info when we are just trying to get him used to the very basics of PBEM file exchange. :chin:

So maybe i could add a section to the end of the article which lists ways in which the basic process can be improved once a player has the hang of it, both of your points would fit into that well i believe. :)

[Kool Kat]

Hey Darran:

Step 8 - Naming the PBeM file.

Recommend the following naming format:

!! + (player 1 initials) vs (player 2 initials) + scenario name

Example: !!MWvsBN_Race_for_Messina.bte

This filename format will sort near the top of all your game files (much easier to find)... identifies your opponents (helpful if you have multiple PBeM games underway and very helpful if you have multiple PBeM games underway against the same opponent)... and identifies the specific scenario (helpful if you have multiple PBeM games underway).

Of course, using the filename Foul_is_the_Best.bte works in a pinch too!

[Mr Grumpy]

Yes thank you Mike, it is indeed a great idea to proceed the file name with a symbol, like yourself I prefer to use the good old " ! "

[BigDuke66]

Turn numbers in the file name can be handy too.
If you ever have to fall back you can check the mail program and pick the correct file for the turn out, but also if making an AAR later, reporting scenario or program bugs, etc. it can come handy.

[Mr Grumpy]

Another update, my image shows all the games in a "HPS Simulations" folder, of course with John Tiller Software taking over the publishing of the later titles from HPS many players may have some (or all) games located in a "John Tiller Software" folder as well.

[MikeC]

This thread has been extremely helpful for this rookie. Is there a similar thread for team game procedures?

[Mr Grumpy]

Good to hear that I helped you out some, it is quite old and was based on Win XP so I must update it at some point.

Good idea about a team game article I will have to did out an old post I put together and post it here, do you have any immediate questions?