Turn-based Online Dynamic Campaign?

aergistal · 07-05-10, 03:41 AM

I was thinking of ways to implement an online dynamic campaign for SH series. The idea of a dynamic campaign is not new, there are a few threads around here.

Doing this in multiplayer with a dedicated server raises problems such as lack of TC, player synchronization etc.

One alternative solution I thought of is a reinterpretation of a Play-by-email system. I don't have the final solution, so consider this brainstorming and share your opinions.

The solution would follow a client-server architecture:

1. Server application acting as random/non-random mission generator (think ComSubPac for SH4 US)
- has a limited pool of ships and events distributed to each user.
- missions in a turn cover a specific time interval, same for all users (eg: 1943, April)
- can generate random missions or template-based semi-random missions.
- special event missions assigned randomly to a limited number of users.
- missions are provided to player in form of DLC.
- could be written in PHP and tied to your forum account.

2. Client monitoring application
- installs current mission DLC. Removes older missions.
- monitors the user progress with the assigned mission.
- ships sunk are removed from the ship pool. ships not sunk are returned to the pool.
- should be required for play (running in background) to prevent cheating and manual editing of logs
- at the end of the assigned patrol, the user submits a patrol report that syncs the server application and updates the ship database.
- if the user does not submit a report in a specified time interval he is considered lost at sea, or returned to the harbour, and the ships are reassigned.

3. Extra options
- site that features newspaper headlines, historical maps, statistics for the current turn etc.

So what do you think, could something like this work?

07-05-10, 03:41 AM	#1
aergistal Chief Join Date: May 2010 Location: France Posts: 326 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 1	Turn-based Online Dynamic Campaign? I was thinking of ways to implement an online dynamic campaign for SH series. The idea of a dynamic campaign is not new, there are a few threads around here. Doing this in multiplayer with a dedicated server raises problems such as lack of TC, player synchronization etc. One alternative solution I thought of is a reinterpretation of a Play-by-email system. I don't have the final solution, so consider this brainstorming and share your opinions. The solution would follow a client-server architecture: 1. Server application acting as random/non-random mission generator (think ComSubPac for SH4 US) - has a limited pool of ships and events distributed to each user. - missions in a turn cover a specific time interval, same for all users (eg: 1943, April) - can generate random missions or template-based semi-random missions. - special event missions assigned randomly to a limited number of users. - missions are provided to player in form of DLC. - could be written in PHP and tied to your forum account. 2. Client monitoring application - installs current mission DLC. Removes older missions. - monitors the user progress with the assigned mission. - ships sunk are removed from the ship pool. ships not sunk are returned to the pool. - should be required for play (running in background) to prevent cheating and manual editing of logs - at the end of the assigned patrol, the user submits a patrol report that syncs the server application and updates the ship database. - if the user does not submit a report in a specified time interval he is considered lost at sea, or returned to the harbour, and the ships are reassigned. 3. Extra options - site that features newspaper headlines, historical maps, statistics for the current turn etc. So what do you think, could something like this work?