TCP/IP Player Window

Description

| This window allows a player to connect via the TCP/IP protocol to a host who is running a game of Space Empires IV. This window manages all of the communication that takes place and shows the player what the current state of the game is. |

How to get here

| The TCP/IP Player window is launched when a player selects to begin a new game as a TCP\IP player. In the Game Setup - Mechanics Window, if the user selects a play style of different machines, and a turn style of Simultaneous Movement, then the Connection Type selection will become enabled. If the user chooses a connection type of TCP/IP Player, and presses the Begin Game button, the TCP/IP Player window will be displayed to manage the game. NOTE: The player of a TCP/IP game does not need to make any changes in the Game Setup Window. All of the game setting are set by the host of the game. Also, the player does not need to select their empire at this point. Once the player has connected to the host, and received the game setup file, they will come back to the Game Setup Windows to add their empire to the game. |

Controls

| Source IP Address | This is the IP address that will be used for the player's machine. This entry defaults to the players first valid IP Address. If the player wants to, they can press the arrow button and see a list of all of the valid IP Addresses for their machine. The player can select another one if they wish. This will be the address that the Host sends messages to during the game. Most players will not need to change this.
| Host IP Address | This is an editable entry of the IP address for the Host machine. The Host should have already setup the game and be waiting for players to connect to it. This player should enter the IP address of that Host's unique address on the internet (or intranet). If the address is incorrect, the game will let you know when it fails to connect.
| Player Name | This is the name of the player for this game. This can be any name you choose but should be descriptive enough to identify you uniquely. This does not have to be your empire name. Be sure to remember your player name as you'll need it if you ever connect back in to this same game.
| Status Display | This area displays the current status of communications. Different text messages will indicate what communication is currently taking place, or what action is required by the player.
|  | "Unknown Player Name for this game. Please connect again with a different name." - If the player is connecting in to a previously started game (a loaded save game), then they need to use the name of the player they used when the game was started. If the name does not match, this error will be displayed indicating that the name is incorrect.
|  | "Ready to connect to host." - When this window is first launched, this will be the initial state. It indicates that you can connect to the host at any time. Pressing the Connect to Host button will begin this process.
|  | "Connecting to host..." - This message indicates that your game is searching at the IP address you specified for someone hosting a Space Empires IV game.
|  | "Waiting for all players to connect to host..." - Once you are connected to the host, you will have to wait until all of the other players connect to the host as well.
|  | "Waiting for game setup file from host..." - Once all of the players have connected for the game, the host will send you the game setup file for this game. The game setup file contains all of the settings for the game made by the host in the Game Setup window.
|  | "Player needs to create empire file." - Once you have received the game setup file from the host, you will need to add your empire to the game. Press the Add Empire button to launch the Game Setup - Players window. This window will allow you to create a new empire or load an existing empire into this game. You can also look at the other Game Setup windows to see the settings for this game. When you have finished adding or creating your empire, press the Begin Game button at the bottom.
|  | "Sending empire file to host..." - When you finish adding your empire to the game, it will be saved in an empire file. This file is then sent to the host for inclusion in the master game file.
|  | "Waiting for game turn file from host..." - Once the host receives your empire file, he will generate the game turn file. This file is then sent back to you.
|  | "Player needs to take turn." - Once you receive the game turn file from the host, you will be able to take your turn. Press the Play Turn button to launch the Main Window to take your turn. When you have finished your turn, just press the End Turn button on the main window.
|  | "Sending order file to host..." - When you end your turn, all of your orders are saved in an order file. This file is then sent to the host so that he can process the next turn. After you have sent the order file to the host, you will wait for the next game turn and repeat the process.
| Chat Message List | This list is normally hidden until the Chat button is pressed. The list displays the chat messages sent by all of the players (including the host himself).
| Send Message | This box allows the player to enter chat messages. Once a message has been entered and the player presses enter, that message will be displayed in the Chat Message List, and will be sent to all of the players (including the host).

Buttons

| Connect to Host | Pressing this button will cause your game to attempt to conenct to the host game using the IP Address specified. If it succeeds, then the host will send you the game setup file and you can proceed playing the game. If it fails, you will need to enter a different IP Address for the host.
| Create Empire | This button is used to create or add your empire into the game. The Game Setup - Players window will be launched so that you can creat a new empire, or add an existing empire. All of the settings in the Game Setup window come from the game setup file the host sent you. You cannot change any of these settings.
| Play Turn | Pressing this button will display the Main Window so that you can take your turn. When you have completed your turn, just press the End Turn button as you would do normally. You will be returned to this window and your order file will be sent to the host. You then wait until the host processes the turn and sends you the next game turn file.
| Chat | This button will show or hide the Chat Message List and the Send Message editbox. These are used to send chat messages to the other players in the game. Pressing this button while they are visible will cause them to be hidden and the Host IP Address and Player Name editboxes will be redisplayed.
| Minimize Game | Pressing this button will minimize the game on the Windows desktop.
| Quit Game | This button will quit the game in progress. You should only do this when the game has been completed, or the host indicates through chat that he is going to shut it down for play on another day.

Special Notes

| None |

Related Areas

| TCP/IP Host Window, TCP/IP Games, Game Setup - Mechanics Window |