Conquest Forums – Simultaneous Turn-Based Strategy Game

[SephiRok]

Well, we already have the time limit mechanic you described. The problem is you need at least two players online at all times. :D

[aubergine]

With UniWar they overcome that problem - you upload your game settings to the central server, and then it's just a matter of waiting until the open slots in that game fills up before it starts.

One of the interesting side effects of this kind of approach is that it can actually lead to far more online players - people start checking in more regularly because they want to see if it's their turn in a game. People will often have several games in progress at any one time, so they take their turn in each of the games where it's their turn, then log in several hours later or the next day to do the same.

As more and more people start to become active, you end up with a sort of 'peppering' of online players, just logging in to see if it's their turn and taking any available turns and occasionally setting up new games when they want more turns happening per day.

The turn limit on games is also stated, so players can see what the time limit is before joining a game. On UniWar, limits are anywhere between 1 minute and 1 week IIRC (it's been a while since I played it as I had my iPhone stolen).

[aubergine]

UniWar also has a good notifications system, so on your phone you get a message telling you that it's your turn in a game to remind you to login and check. I guess with Conquest that would be done via email.

And, that being the case, you then build up a mailing list with which to announce new features, updates, etc.

[SephiRok]

Yeah. That's more or less what I want to do with PBEM (play by email). It's not actually playing the game through email, but it's still the most common expression ...