Broadcast from dglaude via PBM Server

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> > >From: miges@wanadoo.fr
> > >
> > >2) I obtained authorisation from Gigamic Editions to implement all
their
> > >games on this server (quixo, quarto, quads, pyraos, etc.)
> > >Are you interested by theses games?
> >
> > I love most of the game from Gigamic, and now I even love the company.
> > Most of their game are already available in .ZRF (Zillions of Games)
> > however not on the www.zillions-of-games.com web site, but in some fan
page.
> >
> > About those Gigamic Editions http://www.gigamic.com/ games:
> >
> > * QUARTO is fun but games are very short. Also the concept of giving
> > your opponent the piece he is going to play trouble me always.
> > Given the simplicity of the game and computer power nowdays,
> > you PC is already world champion an is going to beat you anyway.
> > One of the problem for PBeM is the ASCII representation of those 16
pieces.
> > But we have ASCII artist arround.
> >
> > * PYLOS is really amazing if you take advanced rules, the only problem
> > is that nothing in the rule prevent against loop were the same position
> > get's repeated again and again. Maybe rules like in Chess should be
> > introduce.
> > It is sad since it make the game not properly define. (like Abalone)
> > The problem I see fo this game is the ASCII 3D representation, good
luck.
> >
> > * QUORIDOR is maybe the best game they made. It is well balance and
clearly
> > computer are not ready for this game, where player of every level get
fun
> > and
> > suspense with it. There is a kid version but the rules are exactly the
same
> > as the original. I have play many competion in Belgium and even with the
> > board
> > limited size it has always been challenging to win, even against
beginners.
> > To get the full complexity from the game and understand the strategy,
> > you need a few games or good advice. You can indeed make your path easy
or
> > make
> > the other dificult. You can give a dificult choice to your opponent or
> > simplify
> > your situation by closing one of the alternative given to you. You can
also
> > avoid your opponent blocking your path/one of his path by playing a
> > defensive
> > move. It is always amazing. It is also a game that seems computer hard.
> > ASCII won't be fun, but is should be possible.
> > If noone start working on the PBeM version of this game I will (contact
me).
> >
> > * QUIVIVE is especially interesting since you can play in family
> > with 4 or 5 players. It is still not clear to me if I like it or not,
> > but a two player game that can be extended to 3,4,5,... is always
something
> > of an interest.
> >
> > * BUNKER the only thing I know is that we used dice and this make me
hate
> > the game like every other game where luck is involved. But I have seen
> > peaple enjoying playing the game.
> >
> > * QUADS difficult to say, the plastic version of this game is rather
uggly
> > compare to the quality of the other game from the family. It is a matter
of
> > cost,
> > I know, but it break the charm. I won the game but one piece was missing
so
> > I gave it back (after having try to understand how to play). It might be
> > related
> > to TRAX, Caterdral and a few german board game were you build the board.
> > The biggest problem is to keep in mind all the piece still available.
> > It is a matter of vision of the game.
> >
> > * BATIK is not for PBeM. This is a game based of the physical gravity
and
> > the best way to "store" equipment in your truck. It is kind of a Tetris
> > but with triangle. It is very nice to have and display in your home,
> > but I don't know if it is playable and fun for abstract game addicted.
> >
> > * BATACLAN is not for PBeM but if you are looking for dice, this could
> > be a good game for you.
> >
> > * BALLAST I don't know but it look like BATIK to me.
> >
> > * DUO is Checker we have it.
> >
> > * SIXTO is chinees checker and we might have it already.
> >
> > * SOLO is "Solitaire" I don't know if it is english or french version
but it
> > is
> > that sily game where only one should remain on the board.
> >
> > * MAESTRO is Chess
> >
> > Please not I am not working for them, It just happen that I have most of
> > their interesting game and played many of them at competition level.
> >
> > Now I want to make sure Gigamic did give the authorisation...
> > Did you receive an e-mail? snail-mail? writen? spoken?
> > I did try to contact them in the past for the game Zenix, but got no
reply.
> > Also I wonder if we need authorisation from the game inventor too?
> >
> > I have already wrote Zenix but without prior authorisation I used
> > the name Xeniz for the game. You can find a page talking about it
> > on http://glu.freeservers.com/zenix.htm at the bottom of the page.
> > For the source code, you can download it from my printer friendly
> > page at http://www.geocities.com/dglaude/zenix.htm.
> >
> > I am about to rename it to the proper name Zenix and then send it to
> > Richard for inclusion in PBeM server.
> >
> > As for PBeM friendly games author I should also mention that I am
> > working on DVONN the last baby from the GIPF project
http://www.gipf.com.
> > I have the author first green light, he want to see the result
> > to verify if the notation system is compatible with what he want.
> > Also when Zenix and DVONN are finish I plan to work in Zertz11
> > the new version of the game Zertz but this time with 11 extra position
> > (extended board).
> >
> > David GLAUDE
> >
> > PS: Now please make sure we continue this conversation
> >     on the pbmserv-dev@gamerz.net mailing list.