[Wesnoth-dev] Simultaneous moves

[Susanna Björverud]

Hej allesammans,

Since Dave started the thread about simultaneous moves in the Coder's 
Corner, and I do not really feel comfortable posting there, I thought I 
would add some comments of mine here instead. Besided they are not 
relevant for coding, so do really not belong in Coder's Corner.

First, this is how I have understood that it should work: (please 
correct any and all misunderstandings. *smile*)
* allied sides that are in sequence may move simultaneously, this 
sequence may however not be from last to first
* all pre-turn events for sides that move simultaneously are fired 
simultaneously
* it would be implemented through a locking system, where hexes would 
be locked by one player, and unaccessible to others until unlocked 
(extremely simplified version *grin*)
* it should be optional

Now some random thoughts. I generally like this idea, but I am not sure 
it would in fact lead to quicker games. But it would most definitely 
lead to more interesting waits. *smile* It would call for a much more 
coordinated effort from allies, which is good IMO.

I was however wondering if the optionality should not in fact be set by 
WML, that is left to the map/campaign developers? If it was, then it 
would be up to them/possible for them to take simultaneous moves into 
account when balancing the scenarios. Because I think it would be very 
hard to balance a scenario so it works well both with and without 
simultaneous moves.

I am also pretty sure that it would be too much for a single ai to 
handle both modes, so a separate ai for sim. moves would be needed. I 
think that for the ai to be able to use it well, it must be able to 
control all sim. moving sides. I am not sure if it would be possible to 
make an ai integrate into an alliance of humans very well though.

Sorry for barging in on unknown territory *smile*

/Sanna