For a long time now I've had the idea of playing an umpire-managed multi-player Kriegsspiel<http://kriegsspiel.org.uk/index.php/articles/origins-history-of-kriegsspiel/3-origins-of-the-kriegsspiel>, except that it would be conducted online, which avoids the problem of arranging a venue.
I do not know what software would be suitable for that, though; I imagined some kind of "online meeting" package, with a whiteboard of sorts to display maps. Would anyone know if OpenMeetings is suitable? Here are my basic requirements: - A membership site, with the usual registration and log-in facilities. - Communication via Instant Messaging (Chat - written orders) or VoIP (voice - radio). - Group management will be necessary, so that umpires can chat amongst themselves and communicate separately with the players/teams. - Map display, editable to show unit dispositions and (ideally) scaleable to allow users to zoom in/out. - Record-keeping so that the umpiring duties are spread around. - Event-driven game management<http://kriegsspiel.forumotion.net/t186-event-driven-game-management/> These are some of the desirable features: - A Save/Restore game state option, to allow a game to take place over several sessions - Automate message management (queuing), so that couriers etc. may be automatically delayed or captured, possibly with a random element - Line-of-sight unit detection, for scouts/observers. - Automated conflict resolution - calculations, according to some rules. - API to permit third-party development of extensions. I may well launch this as an Open Source project but I would welcome any pointers to stuff that may already be 'out there'. Thanks ... Richard
