Automated Simming?

[Groo]

I've played a lot of turn based text based online games (I hosted a couple at one time or another). One thing they've all had in common was an automated simming program. You leave it up and running. It checks the only directory where turns are uploaded, it checks emails for turn file attachments. It runs the game automatically at the time you have it set. It creates a file with all the simming information (which turns it collected, any game messages, and a basic log). It automatically uploads turns for you or emails them if you use email... then it waits for the next turn.

My favorite game, of old, was VGA Planets. I used to host a website where I had over 200 players. I ran about 25 games at one time, on average. It's popularity has waned in the past 5 years, which is why I stopped hosting. But, it was easy because of the Autohosting program.

So, why doesn't FOF have an Autohosting or Autosimming feature... or why hasn't someone written a program to do this. One of the biggest challenges for a commissioner is to insure sims are run on a consistent basis. An autohost feature, either through Solecismic (which would likely be best), or through an independent (guys like Greg or Jon who have added great value to the game with their utility programs), would really have a lot of value to the MP community.

As someone who is NOT a commissioner, and does NOT sim games, I don't know what problems or issues can come up in simming games... so I don't know if this is actually even reasonably doable. I do know there are other games which players send in their turns and the program downloads them, puts them in their proper directory, and runs the game, then sends out the proper files.

I would think this would make the commissioner's life easier, and the players can expect to see the sim run and files uploaded at a consistent time... even when real life commitments (or non commitments) take the commish away from his computer.

[gstelmack]

I've posted this a couple of times. Yes, it would be great for online leagues.