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7. Starting a PBEM Classic Game

This is the classic play-by-email mode. Players play through a scenario by playing turns and submitting them via email or a file-sharing or cloud service to each other.

7.1 Getting Started

At the Main Menu, select New Scenario. Then select the scenario you wish to play with your opponent and click Play (see Section 4.1 above for details on the selection process). In the following dialog, as seen below, select the Start a Play by Email Game (Classic PBEM) option under Style of Play. Next, choose which side you will command in the scenario. Select the Difficulty Settings (refer to Section 4.3 above) to be used for the scenario and click the Play button.

7.2 Set the Initial Orders

The scenario will load, and then you are ready to set up your turn. Issue initial orders for your forces and click Start in the Game Control Panel (refer to Section 13.1 below). You will then get the following dialog alerting you that your opponent needs to do their initial orders. Click Proceed to get a new dialog to enter information for the PBEM Classic file.

7.3 Play by Email Parameters

After setting up your first orders, select Start to begin the turn resolution and initiate an Outbound PBEM Dispatch as seen below. Some fields require input to create the PBEM Classic file.

  • Game Name – This is the scenario name. Editing this name automatically changes the file name.

  • Password – Add a password to the file for extra security if you wish. Please make sure your opponent knows it to open the supplied game file.

  • Increment File – Check this box to add a “00X” number to the file name to keep better track of game turns.

  • File Name – This is automatically generated from the Game Name and Increment fields (if selected).

  • PBEM File Destination Directory – This is the folder on your computer where generated Play By Email (*.PBM) files are placed. You can change the location by clicking on the folder icon on the right of the text box.

  • Text – Write a short message for your opponent in the bottom field to have displayed to them at the start of their game turn.

Click the Send button to save the game file.

7.4 Save Notice and Exit

Next, the following notice points to the location of the saved .PBM file to manually retrieve and send directly to your opponent via email or file-sharing service. Click Proceed.

The next message reads that the game will be inactive until your opponent responds. Click Proceed to close the dialog, after which you can start a new game from the Main Menu or Exit the game entirely.