Add InterBBS features

[rickparrish]

Requested by @xbit44

InterBBS option. Nothing crazy at first, but linking scores, tossing messages ;)

[rickparrish]

No experience with interbbs -- what does that involve for games like BRE/FE/TAL?

[xbit44]

Oh boy.. I'll do my best.

InterBBS functionality in door games like BRE and FE allows multiple BBSes to link their game instances together, creating a shared game world across different systems. This typically involves a central server or a set of data files that synchronize player actions, scores, and events between participating BBSes. The game runs locally on each board, but certain actions like attacking players from other boards, trading, or global events are handled through data exchanges. This is usually done via binkp, FTP, email, or even QWK-style message packets that are uploaded and downloaded at scheduled intervals. For implementation, the game would need a way to export relevant data (players, kingdoms, scores, etc.), transmit it to other nodes, then import and process incoming data from other boards to keep the game state consistent across the network.

[xbit44]

Here is a simple example for BRE. In the BRE has a brnodes.dat file that the league hub manages. It looks like this:

[xbit44]

All systems route packets to the HOST and then the to the nodes, For example:

System 2 sends message to system 4 > Packets flow to system 1 > Hub delivers system 2's message to system 4.

[xbit44]

Like FidoNET and other FTN's, each system will need to have a mailer program designed for FTN style message and file transfers over the Internet, It allows a BBS to exchange FidoNet-style messages via TCP/IP using protocols like binkIT.

[xbit44]

I use a old product called Internet Rex for my InterBBS league. I have a HOWTO set it up for BRE/FE/TAL leagues that might give clues. But as you can see its somewhat complex?

But the hard part would be implementing interbbs routines and functions into a non-inter bbs game...