Re: [piecepack] Re: Is PP really that ZOG friendly?

[Massimo Biasotto <massimo.biasotto@...>]

Clark D. Rodeffer wrote:

> Wow! I just took a brief look at Thoth, and it looks like a really 
> neat way to play games online. How long do you think it will be 
> before there are piecepack graphic sets and .game files available?

I've never tried to make a Thoth module but it doesn't seem too
difficult (certainly easier than Zillions). I don't think I will ever
do it myself, because I'm not interested in head-to-head network play
(mostly beacuse I don't know anyone to play with).

> I haven't looked closely yet, but are there any help or documentation 
> files I should read first to get started?

Thoth comes with a Windows Help file explaining the basic things.
On the page http://geoman36.tripod.com/thothgames/
there is a nice tutorial on how to create Thoth modules.

> Are there any plans to 
> eventually add an AI to Thoth? Or perhaps an interface where roll-
> your-own AIs might interact through Thoth?

I had already considered the idea to ask the author about an interface
to external AI engines. It would be great, but I have no idea whether
it would be difficult to implement or not. There is a Thoth yahoo group,
where the author usually replies to any question. We could try to ask.

> So, at least in theory, several piecepack games (such as Alien City, 
> Everest, Froggy Bottom, Pawns Crossing and The Penguin Game) should 
> be ZOG-able.

I will have a look at Emergo, since I'm interested in the stacking
pieces problem. And if I'll have some free time in next months I'll
probably try with some other PP game.

> Even so, I would also love to see a copy of your
> Easy Slider implementation. Would you consider posting it in the 
> files area or even submitting it to the ZOG archive?

As I said, it was only an exercise in ZOG programming. I don't think
it's good enough to make it public.

> Incidentally, I recently submitted a brief review of the piecepack to 
> <a target="new" href="http://www.abstractgamesmagazine.com";>Abstract 
> Games Magazine</a>. If the editors decide to publish the review, it 
> will likely appear in the autumn or winter issue.

Very good. Piecepack certainly needs a bit more advertising.
I think it needs also a few other things, but I'll probably write
another post about this.

> If you're at all 
> interested in abstract games, this magazine is a must. There are some 
> sample articles on their web site.

I'll have a look, but I fear the subscription cost from Italy would
be horribly high.


Cheers,
Massimo Biasotto