iVTES

Frequently Asked Questions

What is iVTES ?

iVTES (instant VTES) is a new way to play Vampire - The Eternal Struggle (the multi-player CCG game by White Wolf) online.

How does it work ?

In order to play iVTES you need to install a Jabber client (Gaim is the best choice at the moment) and create a Jabber account. All is explained in the HOWTO.

iVTES works with the chat windows mechanism. You will have 2 main chat windows:

the ivtes robot window: this is the window you'll use to send commands to the robot, i.e. the automated system through which you'll be able to draw your cards/vamps, play counters on cards and so on;
the iVTES chat window: this is the chat window you'll use to take a look at what's happening on the table (cards played, actions taken and so on) and to talk to the other players (offering deals, asking for mercy, etc.).

You could also try to contact privately the other players (without using the main chat window) but that depends on the type of game you want to play (more JOL-oriented or traditional).

You can get the formatted game state from the robot by sending the state command, or in a separate web browser window at http://ivtes.net/games.

What does `ivtes` do for a living ?

ivtes is a robot that shuffles your decks, deals, and keeps track of the state and position of each card. He also moves counters (pools, bloods, lives, ...). He knows the capacity and votes of vampires and reports this in the state. He can also give you information on any VTES card.

Is it only for realtime/interactive play ?

iVTES is best used for interactive play: you fix an online appointment with your bunch of friends and start playing (usually it takes the same time of a normal game).

However, sometimes it happens that there is not enough time to finish the game, in which case it is left online and - even without all the players being online at the same time - it's possible to conclude it.

Of course, games can also be played non-interactivly from the start.

How does iVTES relate to the other ways of playing VTES online ?

There is no connection between iVTES, deckbot, JOL and the CCG Workshop. iVTES is only a different way to play with your friends or a chance to play with distant guys and learn different playing styles!

	Interface used	Type of play	Enrolling system	Table state	State formating	Concurrent games	Free	URL
JOL2	Email	Non-interactive	Waiting list	Manual	Text/Web	Yes	Yes	link
JOL3	Web	Non-interactive or partially interactive		Automatic	Text/Web	Yes	Yes	link
deckbot	IRC	Interactive only	Lobby	Automatic	Text	No	Yes	link
CCG Workshop	IE/Windows (ActiveX)	Interactive only	Lobby	Automatic	Graphical	Yes	No	link
iVTES	Instant Messaging (Jabber)	Non-interactive or interactive	Appointments via mailing list	Automatic	Formatted text (IM or web)	Yes	Yes	link

What are the commands ?

You send commands to ivtes for each gestual that you would perform during a real game. For instance:

draw to draw a card
play 18 to play card #18
put 4 to put a permanent in play
lose 3 to lose 3 pools
transfer 4 to 23 to transfer 4 pools to vampire #23
...

Commands are meant to be natural. They can be abbreviated and the syntax is quite flexible. turn 34 face up, turn 34 up, tu 34 u are equivallent.

How can I play iVtes ?

Register to the iVTES mailing list (http://ivtes.net/mailman/listinfo/list). You will be kept informed of new games and will be able to arrange appointments to play.

How can I help ?

Bring ideas how to improve iVTES. Also iVTES will benefit from a web service where players can register the time frames when they are usually available. Game opportunities would be determined automatically. If you are willing to develop such service, contact me (hg at apteryx dot fr).