Host: v3.01 , client: v3.00 How is this working?

[DominionsFan]

How is this possible that someone with version 3.00 can play on a v3.01 server. We are just playing a blitz right now, and someone with v3.00 can play on the v3.01 server.
So I was wondering, the player whos running the 3.00 will have the 3.01 patch updates when he is playing on a 3.01 server?

[Arralen]

As the save/turn file format hasn't been changed, oc. you can play 'mixed' games.
But there's no auto-update feature build into Dominions up to now ...

Therefore, it's a bad idea, as it will cause battle inconsistencies - the replay might not show the same battle result as the battle report: the 1st one is re-calculated by the client each time you view the battle, the 2nd one is generated by the server and passed along in the turn file.

You might end up watching a battle which happens in a slightly different universe, with rules of nature which are slightly different. Interestingly enough, this even applies if the changes in the patch do not "apply" directly to what happened during that battle - simply using the wrong exe version is enough.

[Endoperez]

His battles will probably look wrong. The replays often won't be exactly the same in different versions, and even the tiniest change causes everything after it to be randomized again, resulting in wildly different battle results.

The server's calculations are always the only ones that affect the game. Even if his battle review shows he won without losses, if battle report says one commander died, one commander DID die.

[Maltrease]

What happens with "balance" changes between version? For example the tribal archers cost was raised to 10 gold. Would someone with version 3 still be able to get them for 8?

Or Hellheim for example could recruit Helheims in all forts (not just capital) until version 3.1

Both of those would could be a rather large advantage is someone was unscrupulous enough to exploit them.

[Endoperez]

I think they would be unable to do that, but it's a good question.

[Hadrian_II]

As the turn processing is completly on the host i think the tribal archer cost of the host is the one that counts.

But what might be interesting is what happens if you create big queues in 3.00 for 8 gold and then update to 3.01 and now stop the recruitment, maybe you will now get 10 gold back.

With the Helheims its not sure if it works or not, its the matter if the host checks the queue or not, if he does it wont work, but if he just lets you build units who are in the queue you might get them.

But this questions can only the developer answer, as he is the only one able to see the source.

[PhilD]

Or, one could test it with a double install...

[DominionsFan]

Yeah..this is definitely not good as it is now.. so I guess, I will ask everyone before we start a blitz to update their doms version to the latest available..next time. ^^

[Endoperez]

DominionsFan said:
Yeah..this is definitely not good as it is now.. so I guess, I will ask everyone before we start a blitz to update their doms version to the latest available..next time. ^^



You haven't actually tested how it works "as it is now", have you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[DominionsFan]

Endoperez said:

DominionsFan said:
Yeah..this is definitely not good as it is now.. so I guess, I will ask everyone before we start a blitz to update their doms version to the latest available..next time. ^^



You haven't actually tested how it works "as it is now", have you? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif



Well no.. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Just a question. Let's say the HoH will be fixed in 3.02.
Now someone will gonna play with v3.01 on the server. Does this means that his heroes will be attacked by HoH or not?
Basically the server version is what matters in all cases if I understand correctly, so the player with 3.01 probably won't be attacked by the HoH. Anyways its wise to use the latest patch, since his battle replays -for example- can be messed up.

Perhaps there should be a command line switch to prevent others joining to a server with a different version.

[Endoperez]

Even in the worst case, (i.e. clients could use some changes to cheat in a way that bypasses cheat detection), everything that happens between turns (choosing correct random numbers, checking how many events happen, checking what events happen, checking whether or not Horrors eat people, etc) happens in the server. Server decides whether or not Hunter of Heroes attacks or not.