How To Play Forum Games Using TripleA

  • '16 '15 '10

    Playing forum games via TripleA is easy, especially if you’re already familiar with TripleA.  The process of playing-by-forum is nearly identical to playing by email.

    For starters, check out these videos!
    Part 1: Introduction: http://youtu.be/MX9ehmKFdmI

    Part 2: How to play online: http://youtu.be/pIE3rpDD6PM

    Part 3: How to async, play by email, and play by forum: http://youtu.be/c9cfHsoWQoI

    Part 4: Advanced features: http://youtu.be/FtaSoypRveg

    Here’s what to do if you are new to TripleA and/or Play-by-forum.

    1.  Download and install TripleA.

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/triplea/files/

    Use the latest stable version (right now its 1614).  Depending on your system, either download tripleA with java or the triplea all platforms zip.  Click the exe file to install it.

    2.  Start TripleA and download the appropriate maps.  To download maps, use this guide.

    http://www.tripleawarclub.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?forum=1&post_id=941#forumpost941

    3.  Start a “Local Game” using the map you are interested in and check out how it works.  Everything is done with a mouse.  Speed commands (like hitting ctrl to select all) are similar to Battlemap commands.  It could take a few games to get used to it.  If you don’t want to practice by playing against yourself, then log onto the live lobby for a game or two to practice.  You can also observe live games on the lobby.

    4.  Once you get a feel for TripleA, let’s move onto using it to play-by-forum.  PBF is very similar to PBEM (play by email).  See this helpful guide.

    http://www.tripleawarclub.org/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=256

    The program has its own dice server.  When you play in PBF mode, it emails you the dice results.  So the email addresses for all players need to be registered with the dice server. Visit

    http://dice.tripleawarclub.org

    and register your email.  Once you do that, check your email and click on the confirmation link.

    5.   Now you’re ready to start a forum game.

    -Start a new topic in the “Play Boardgames” section here at A&A forums.  
    -Now open up TripleA
    -Choose the map you want to use on the left side, then click “Start PBEM Game” (see the PBEM guide link above for a visual guide).  
    -Enter the email addresses for yourself and your opponent(s) in email address field.  If there are lots of email addresses, just separate them with a semi-colon.
    -Choose the dicey server you want (normally http://dice.tripleawarclub.org/)
    -In the “ID” field, put in the 5 digit url for the thread you started (for example, if we look at the url for this thread it is 25868–we input that number).
    -Now turn on “post turn summary” and “post save game file”
    -Click “test post” and check the A&A forums thread.  The test post should post within 20 seconds.
    -Go to “Game Options” and input the dice/tech/bid preferences that your intend to use in your game.
    -Then click “play” and execute your turn.  
    -If you need to ask about scramble/intercept/order of loss, post the combat move, or simply save the file and attach it to a forum post.

    6.  At the end of your first turn, a box will come up asking if you want to post the save game file and summary.  Click yes.  Once you are finished with your turn, the system will auto-post the turn summary and attach a save file.

    7.  When your opponent plays, he/she simply opens the attached save file.  Then “Start PBEM Game”.  The URL and the email addresses should all be there, and post save game and post turn summary should be on.  But double-check anyway. Do the test post.  Then press play!

    8.  That’s it!  You play the game out this way, and there is no need for typing and no need to worry about checking your opponent’s map for accuracy.  Everything your opponent did in his turn can be viewed using the “Game History” function.

    9.  To view an example of how it works see
    http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=24329.0

    Post turn summary has some minor bugs for aa50 related to the turn summary for the USA/China turn, but this does not effect playability.  Everything related to past turns can be viewed using the game history and any dice outcomes will be emailed to you as they happen.

    Have fun and enjoy the technology!


  • When posting the turn summary from within TripleA I get an error

    If I try to post the turn summary manually to the forum I get the follwoing error message back
    Sorry, you are not allowed to post link

    The TripleA turn summary contains a link, an for some reason I’m not allowed to post any link?

  • '16 '15 '10

    Hi Qwert, if you could attach the file you are working with, I can have a look at it.

    Also, for a test game, please don’t use the league section, use the general “Play Boardgames” section.  The league section is for official league games.

  • Founder TripleA Admin

    What if your opponent does not use TripleA? How would you go about using it as a map reference? Use Edit Mode?

  • '16 '15 '10

    @djensen:

    What if your opponent does not use TripleA? How would you go about using it as a map reference? Use Edit Mode?

    It’s hard to justify playing with 2 different map programs, given the extra labor necessary.

    But in such a circumstance (where one player would only use Triplea, the other player only Battlemap), you could use edit to adjust the TripleA map to the Battlemap map posted, and then execute your turn.  The simplest way (for the TripleA user) would be to do the opponent’s turn in Local Mode and then use edit to make the map look like your opponent’s Battlemap map.  Then do your turn.

    Then the opponent would adjust his Battlemap map to look like the new TripleA map, and play his turn on the forum.  And so on.

    Personally, that’s too tedious for me.

  • Founder TripleA Admin

    How does bidding work when you use TripleA?

  • '16 '15 '10

    @djensen:

    How does bidding work when you use TripleA?

    Up to the players.  An auction bid (via pm, email, or conversation) with pre-game placement is typical.

    When you’re ready, go to Game Options, and input the bid before you start the game.


  • Can I practice the move in TripleA playing local as far as dices are involved?
    Do I have to open TripleA in Pbem from the beginning of the turn (purchasing) till the end?
    I am used to doing like this to prevent mistakes and accidents:
    1)I practice in local then I save the file
    2)Start pbem and do the combat
    3)I save the file to prevent blackout or even if I am short of time and want to put off the rest of the turn
    4)I do the non combat move and placement
    5)I end the turn and save again.
    If I do all this and conclude the turn of the nation, do I create a mess in the forum?

  • Moderator

    @soundcrescent:

    Can I practice the move in TripleA playing local as far as dices are involved?
    Do I have to open TripleA in Pbem from the beginning of the turn (purchasing) till the end?
    I am used to doing like this to prevent mistakes and accidents:
    1)I practice in local then I save the file
    2)Start pbem and do the combat
    3)I save the file to prevent blackout or even if I am short of time and want to put off the rest of the turn
    4)I do the non combat move and placement
    5)I end the turn and save again.
    If I do all this and conclude the turn of the nation, do I create a mess in the forum?

    I believe that all works fine.  I know there are instances where you might need an OOL, so I think you can save then restart.

    It is only at the end of your turn when you click 3 check boxes and then click post to forum will the turn post.

    When you want to do your “real turn”, you load your map, hit play by email, then you login again with your A&A org name password.  Then you are good to go.


  • Ah…very nice…just read the thread.  I will be doing this very soon.  This will probably be the new way we do PBF here I assume.  I don’t know about everybody else, but I’m sure they would agree, typing out the moves gets pretty old after a while. :wink:

  • '16 '15 '10

    Indeed, the advantages of Triplea compared to Battlemap are even more pronounced playing Global.  In addition to the time saved by not having to type or meticulously check maps, it’s way less stressful if I don’t have to worry about myself or my opponent misinterpreting the rules or accidentally placing more or less units than required.


  • I get an error message saying missing refresh header.
    Any advice?


  • @Infrastructure:

    I get an error message saying missing refresh header.
    Any advice?

    When does this happen?

    Do you have the latest TripleA (1.5.2.1) installed?
    Did you update your maps to the latest versions?

  • '17 '16 '15

    when I hit test post I get

    Hidden field ‘num_replies’ not found on page

    Any suggestions?

  • Customizer

    post a screenshot of what you have filled in on the pbem page

  • '16 '15 '10

    He meant the screenshot of the filled in pbem page before you get that message.

  • '17 '16 '15

    hmmm  I must be missing something. That’s the message that popped up after I filled what you see on the screen out. When I hit the pbem it just lists some email providers. Is there a different page somewhere? I’ll go through the directions again. Thanks for the reply.

  • Customizer

    the topic ID must be a number

    like, for example, the topic id for THIS thread is 25868

    so go make a new thread in the play by forum section, then take that topic id, and put it into triplea

  • '17 '16 '15

    Thank you

  • Customizer

    the “TO” and the “CC” must be different email addresses
    (and both must be filled in with at least 1 address)

    (and all addresses must be registered with the dice server: http://dice.tripleawarclub.org )

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