I tried a multi player game using 1.1b4 vs. a PC-using friend who downloaded the 1.3 update from Microprose. The experience was a rocky one.
The first problem we had was he had the wrong update... when he tried to connect to my host, his 1.1-updated PC version just timed out. When I connected to his host, the Mac version explained what was going on by describing the client and server versions. However, nothing on any website or readme explained what client and/or server version corresponded to the build numbers we saw in that dialog.
The first time we did get connected, I was hosting. The game didn't recognize the custom names we entered, instead giving us default names. I didn't try using custom titles. After several turns, the game locked up. This is only a guess, but it's possible that it was a video driver problem since the crash happened when I had the (not resizable )-: ) chat window spanning two monitors. I've noticed lockups with the Voodoo 3 b10 drivers when I switch monitors with a single window, or have a window spanning more than one monitor. Doesn't make sense, but there you are.
We were able to reconnect from a saved game, which was nice. This time, when we connected, the game recognized our new names (however, we did not get a chance to customize our titles when we reconnected). This time, the game lasted a few more turns (five or six) until I encountered my friend's civilization. When we went into the encounter dialog, I proposed a peace treaty, he prepared a counter offer, then the game locked up.
We reconnected again, played a few more turns, and my *control strip* crashed at the same time that he was opening a hut. I lost the connection to him, and had to restart.
The last time we reconnected, the game just lost the connection to him... not sure if he was doing anything special.
My overall experience is that the "multiplayer" aspect of the Gold edition is still completely broken, even in the latest beta. Too bad, too, because I'd really like to try some multiplayer games.
_/\ Carch
The first problem we had was he had the wrong update... when he tried to connect to my host, his 1.1-updated PC version just timed out. When I connected to his host, the Mac version explained what was going on by describing the client and server versions. However, nothing on any website or readme explained what client and/or server version corresponded to the build numbers we saw in that dialog.
The first time we did get connected, I was hosting. The game didn't recognize the custom names we entered, instead giving us default names. I didn't try using custom titles. After several turns, the game locked up. This is only a guess, but it's possible that it was a video driver problem since the crash happened when I had the (not resizable )-: ) chat window spanning two monitors. I've noticed lockups with the Voodoo 3 b10 drivers when I switch monitors with a single window, or have a window spanning more than one monitor. Doesn't make sense, but there you are.
We were able to reconnect from a saved game, which was nice. This time, when we connected, the game recognized our new names (however, we did not get a chance to customize our titles when we reconnected). This time, the game lasted a few more turns (five or six) until I encountered my friend's civilization. When we went into the encounter dialog, I proposed a peace treaty, he prepared a counter offer, then the game locked up.
We reconnected again, played a few more turns, and my *control strip* crashed at the same time that he was opening a hut. I lost the connection to him, and had to restart.
The last time we reconnected, the game just lost the connection to him... not sure if he was doing anything special.
My overall experience is that the "multiplayer" aspect of the Gold edition is still completely broken, even in the latest beta. Too bad, too, because I'd really like to try some multiplayer games.
_/\ Carch
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