Multiplayer problems

[Commy]

Okay, so last night I tried to play an MP game with a friend of mine. He has no updates, no crossfire, so I had to unistall all of that and reinstall the original game . Anyway, I have pipeline, so I don't really have a modem, our computers aren't connected via a LAN or serial connection, so we have to use the Internet. Since my pipeline is always hooked up, I didn't think I had to do anything except host a game and wait for my friend.

I waited half an hour. Finally he called and told me that he dialed up (no pipeline for him) and searched for my game called "Friends", but couldn't find it. He also typed in what I think is my IP address, but still couldn't find a game.

Here are my questions...

Does it matter if I have pipeline and he has dial-up...

I believe I had my IP address, but if not, how do you find it on an XP computer...

Do you have to click launch game to get players to come, or do you wait until the are ready, then click launch game...

When looking for a game, does the game have to already be launched...

What is global difficulty level compared to player difficulty...

What is simultaneous moves...

And anything else that is usefull...

Unfortunately I can't find the install manual or whatever, so it didn't really help, but I thought you guys might know something. Thanks...

[Quango]

Re: Multiplayer problems

[SIZE=1]
I believe I had my IP address, but if not, how do you find it on an XP computer...

Do you have to click launch game to get players to come, or do you wait until the are ready, then click launch game...

When looking for a game, does the game have to already be launched...

What is simultaneous moves...

In XP, go to Control Panel >> Network Connections. Right click on the connection you have, go to Properties. The "support" tab will have your IP.

I typically play this way under an TCP/IP Connection Multiplayer Game. If your friend clicks on that choice (4th from top, I think), he should be able to type in your IP.

Clicking "Launch Game" actually launches the game with the players already in the right-hand queue. This will start the game, hence making it unable to find.

Simultaneous moves means you play your turns at the same time. Makes the game much quicker, but causes problems when battling other human players. Basically, you play your turn, then the computer plays AI turns and updates everything for the next turn. The problems with other human players is, there is little time to react if they start mowing down your base. I'm not sure how exactly the computer picks who has the rights to move first.

Hope this helps.

Q

[Enigma_Nova]

There's also the lag issue of who attacks first.
Always makes for a good match.

[Chaos Theory]

Combat in TCP/IP Simultaneous moves games is pretty pointless. You can move your rover towards their base, and they can just attack it before it gets to attack. You need to agree on who gets to move first, basically going back to sequential moves for purposes of combat.

[Enigma_Nova]

CT: That's where being a super move ninja will come in handy.

[Chaos Theory]

That doesn't help when it takes several seconds to move units, thanks to synchronization. Of course, this gets much worse if multiple people attack you.

[Commy]

I think maybe I should just leave this off. Apparently the protocol for the Internet on my computer was not activated. I tested it by hosting a game then opening SMAX again and attempting to join the game I was hosting. Works fine now that the protocol is activated. Now I just have to make sure my friend's is...

[Chaunk]

From the sounds of your first post, you're playing in unpatched SMAC? I strongly suggest you tell your friend to get the latest patches on his SMAC. v1 SMAC was massivly buggy, including the multiplayer, such as it was.

Probably won't help your issue (It may, I don't know, I don't play TCP/IP SMAC) but you should patch up anyway.

[Commy]

Ah, I have realized the problem. My protocol was not installed. So I did that, and we set up the game, but unfortunately, it said that messages were not sent to my player and asked me if I wanted to drop him and then of course it performed "an illegal operation" on his computer. Perhaps it is because he has dial-up and me pipeline, but perhaps not...

As for the patches, he just is too lazy I think...

[#endgame]

Use "place unit on alert" (Shift-L).
Apparently, if a hostile unit moves into the range of you unit, it will proceed to attack it. The perfect solution for simultaneous move games. Your counter-punching rovers now do preemptive strikes instead.

[Enigma_Nova]

Originally posted by Commy
As for the patches, he just is too lazy I think...

Not a good SMAX player. You'll hand his ass to him every time.