Please Invade Later support

Getting help or reporting a bug

I am one person, so replies may take a little while. Email [email protected] with "Please Invade Later" in the subject. For a bug, say which device you were using, which mode and map, and what happened just before.

A useful bug report says:

• your device, operating system and game build number;
• which mode you were playing (solo, co-op, competitive or Overtime) and on which map;
• what you did, what you expected, and what happened instead;
• a screenshot, if you can take one.

For a performance problem, you can also copy details from Settings → Display and performance → Device diagnostics and include them in your email. Those details stay on your device unless you choose to share them.

Questions

Which devices does it run on?

The beta is available for iPhone and iPad, Android, Windows and Linux. On a sufficiently large screen, two people can share a device. On a phone you can play alone, with an AI Colleague or with someone on another device through Interoffice.

How do two people play on one screen?

On a large enough screen, choose co-op or competitive play to give each player a seat. In Settings → Interoffice → Seating, choose Across the table to face each other, or Side by side to face the same way. Each seat has its own build controls and status strip; either player can change the game speed. The manual has the details.

Can I play by myself?

Yes. Solo mode uses the whole screen for one board. Overtime, the endless mode, also works solo.

Do I need an internet connection or an account?

No game account is required. You can play offline, including two players on one sufficiently large screen and direct play between devices on a local network. A connection fetches the Daily Memo, enables office-code and automatic matching, and sends play reports if you agree. Once today’s Daily Memo has downloaded, you can play it offline. On iPhone and iPad, Game Center sign-in is optional and uses your Apple Account. See the privacy policy.

How do we play on two devices?

Both players tap Interoffice on the title page. Each device runs its own board and shows the other player's office beside it. A delayed or interrupted mirror does not stop your local board. Choose how to connect:

• Nearby: on supported devices, one player opens an office and the other picks it from the list. This works on the same local network, and between Apple devices without a shared network using Apple's peer-to-peer Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi must be switched on). You can also use Direct line to enter the host’s address.
• Office code: opening this tab gets a code, such as Form 7QK-2M. Share it with the other player, who taps Join an office and enters it. This works anywhere with an internet connection. To find someone without a code or an account, choose Find a colleague, pick Competitive or Co-op, then tap Find match. Automatic matches use preset memos.
• Game Center (iPhone and iPad): sign in to invite a friend or find a competitive or co-op match automatically. Automatic matches use preset memos.

Can I watch an office?

Ask one of the players for the office code. Choose Interoffice → Office code → Watch an office, enter it and tap Watch office. Both players need a compatible game version. You can view either board fullscreen without joining as a player. Watching has no memos, chat or gameplay controls and leaves your saved shift in place.

Two devices will not connect

• Nobody nearby shows up. On iPhone and iPad, allow Local Network access in Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network → Please Invade Later, then reopen Interoffice. Both devices need Wi-Fi switched on. If nearby discovery is unavailable, try Direct line on the same network.
• A guest or work network. Some networks prevent devices from connecting to each other. If direct connections are allowed, the hosting device shows its address (such as 192.168.1.40:47217), and the other player can type it under Direct line. A computer firewall must allow TCP on that port. Otherwise, use an office code over the internet.
• An office code is refused. Check the letters and numbers; the code ignores case and the dash. Two connected players can keep using the same room across rounds. If either disconnects, both have 10 minutes to return; both choosing Leave closes it immediately. An office nobody joins expires 30 minutes after opening, or immediately when its host chooses Leave. If the office has closed, the host needs to open a new one.
• “Line busy” on the other office. The connection dropped. Your game carries on, and the game reconnects by itself; their office catches up when it does. If they do not come back, your game is filed as a solo finish.
• “Different edition of the rulebook.” The two devices run different versions of the game. You can still play, but their office may look wrong on your screen. Update both through their respective beta channels.

Reporting a memo or a player

Tap one of the other player's memos to mute them for the rest of the game, block them so they cannot join you again, or report their memos. A report sends me their recent memos and nickname, and I read every one. Reports are kept for 90 days; the privacy policy lists exactly what one holds. For anything urgent, or to follow up on a report, email [email protected].

Where is my progress stored?

The game saves progress and an unfinished shift on your device. With iCloud sync enabled, campaign progress and some settings also follow your Apple Account between devices. Recordings stay in Replay Library until you delete them. See the privacy policy for what syncs and what stays local.

How do I share or watch a replay?

Choose Send replay from a finished game's Share menu, or open a recording in Replay Library and choose Send replay. This sends a file that another copy of Please Invade Later can open and watch, including offline. The library also lets you request a video and return to its progress or finished link later. Videos are rendered online; the finished link expires seven days after the request.

Open Replay Library → Videos to check a request or return to its finished link. Delete video removes a finished video and stops the shared link from working; it cannot remove copies someone has already downloaded. Remove request removes a failed, cancelled or expired request and its saved replay copy. Your original Library recording stays. Cancel an active request before removing it.

On iPhone and iPad, before choosing Make video, turn on Notify me when ready and allow notifications if you want an alert while the game is closed. Tapping the notification opens the video in your Library. If notifications are off, you can still return to Replay Library → Videos to check it.

How do I quit on a computer?

Press Esc to close an open card or open the pause menu, then choose Quit to desktop. The title page also has a quit button. Press F11 or Alt+Enter to switch full screen on or off.

Who made it?

Stephen Olesen, with openly licensed models, fonts and tools from many generous people. The credits page thanks them and carries the licence notices; the game has the same under Credits.

Is the game finished?

No. Art, maps and balance are still changing. The project page has the current status.