E2150 - Host and Join Games: Difference between revisions
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EarthNet is a Multiplayer lobby built into the game and can be accessed via the Multiplayer menu option. Since the official EarthNet is mostly offline and isn't maintained, virtually all online games are being played on community EarthNet. '''This is the recommended way to play online'''. In order to start using community EarthNet, there are some additional steps required, these can be found [[E2150_-_EarthNet_-_InsideEARTH#How_to_Connect|here]]. |
EarthNet is a Multiplayer lobby built into the game and can be accessed via the Multiplayer menu option. Since the official EarthNet is mostly offline and isn't maintained, virtually all online games are being played on community EarthNet. '''This is the recommended way to play online'''. In order to start using community EarthNet, there are some additional steps required, these can be found [[E2150_-_EarthNet_-_InsideEARTH#How_to_Connect|here]]. |
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== VPN Services == |
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If you seek alternatives to EarthNet, you can try one of the known services, such as GameRanger, Hamachi or Radmin. In case of GameRanger, we have a detailed guide available [[E2150_-_GameRanger_guide|here]]. |
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In order to acquire ''Gameranger'' you need to download it first, from its website. Just "google" it and you should find something like this: ''www.gameranger.com'' |
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<br>[[File:GoogleGR.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GoogleGRresult.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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At the developer page you will see a big ''download'' button - '''Download GameRanger'''. Click on it and save the installation file on your computer. |
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<br> |
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[[File:DownloadGR.PNG|frameless|500px]] |
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== Direct IP == |
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This option requires all players to either be in the same local area network (LAN), or the host to have a public IP with specific ports forwarded. The option is available from within Main Menu > Multiplayer as "TCP/IP Connection". The host needs to go through "Initialize" and "Create New Session" steps, while the clients need to manually enter host's IP address before clicking "Initialize". The game should be listed in "Available sessions" panel. If it isn't, then most likely there are some issues with port forwarding and/or firewall etc. |
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Double click on downloaded GameRanger installer to launch the installation wizard. You may be asked for administrator privileges or confirmation of your intention to run this file. |
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<br>[[File:GRfile.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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Select where do you wish to see the GameRanger shortcuts and if it should run on startup of your windows (then you will never forget to launch this tool so you won't miss any online game). |
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<br>[[File:GRstartup.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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The installer will download some components and then show to you a ''GameRanger Account Assistant'' window. You will be asked to agree to the Terms presented in the window in order to proceed with further installation. |
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<br>[[File:GRagreeTerms.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If you are using this tutorial you propably don't have a GameRanger account yet. Then you should select ''Create a new account''. |
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<br>[[File:GRcreate.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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'''Ignore''' that ''invite code'' and just continue clicking ''Next''. |
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<br>[[File:GRinvcode.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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GameRanger account requires passing the e-mail address that will be associated with your new account. It's a popular security measure to prevent spam of fake accounts, so please fill the form with your e-mail address and come up with some password (this one doesn't have any conditions except it must be at least one character long) |
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<br>[[File:GRform.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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Write your ''nickname'' which will be shown for other users. The ''real name'' isn't really used. |
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<br>[[File:GRname.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If you are afraid of some vulgar words you can enable a ''Profanity filter''. I deselect that because in some languages words may have a different meaning and there is a possibility I wouldn't be able to fully read the message. |
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<br>[[File:GRfilter.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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Select you location. If you don't see the one you are looking for, please check the ''Show cities from other timezones'' and there should appear more options to choose. |
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<br>[[File:GRcity.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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Next you will see a message that GameRanger is going to send you an activation message to your e-mail you put in the form before. Click ''Next'' button to continue and check your internet inbox. |
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<br>[[File:GRcheckemail.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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You should find a message from ''GameRanger Accounts'' with the title ''Activate your new GameRanger account''. |
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<br>[[File:GRemail.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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Click on the link visible in the e-mail message or copy that into the address bar of your browser. |
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<br>[[File:GRmessage.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GRpaste.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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You will see a message that your account has been activated and you can finish your GameRanger installation by clicking ''Next''. |
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<br>[[File:GRactivated.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GRnext.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br><br> |
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=== Usage === |
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At your first use of GameRanger you may see a window containing ''GameRanger News''. You can close that. |
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<br>[[File:GRnews.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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The '''main''' windows is showing you all the online lobbies for every games. Switch the filter to see only games that you have installed - '''My Games'''. |
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<br>[[File:GRmygames.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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GameRanger usually finds games on your computer that are compatible with this software, but you may need to add your games manually. In this case open the ''Edit'' tab and click on '''Options...'''. |
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<br>[[File:GRoptions.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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By default you will have opened a ''Games'' section where are listed all the games that you might connect to GameRanger. Find in this list your game - this time '''Earth 2150: The Moon Project''' and click on it. |
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<br>[[File:GRgamelist.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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You may notice that the buttons on the right have been enabled so you can now click on the '''Browse...''' button and show the location of the game .exe file. |
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<br>[[File:GRbrowse.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GRexe.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If the game is already added to the GameRanger it will be seen as bold. If you haven't found any troubles you can close that options window (There might be some difficulties with adding a steam games but it can be fixed with [[E2150_-_Setup_Guide_for_Earth_2150_Multiplayer|Symlinker]]). |
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<br>[[File:GRbold.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If there are any active lobbies for the games you have added, you should see them in the ''main'' window. You can see who is the host, how many players are in already and how is which game it is. Double click on the lobby to enter inside. |
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<br>[[File:GRmain.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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Be aware of upcoming messages from your system network security. If some firewall will be blocking the GameRanger you can say goodbye to your online games with that software. |
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<br>[[File:GRwindows.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If your network or router you are connected to is using a NAT restriction you will see a warning, that your future games may have problems with connecting to other players. |
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<br>[[File:GRnat.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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You finally got into the lobby. You are not the host this time, so you can only chat and wait for the hosting user to launch the game for all the users inside this lobby. You should see who is in the lobby by seeing the names in a top-right corner of the current window. You can right-click on the user nicknames and add them to your friend list, so you may know when they are available for playing. |
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<br>[[File:GRlobby.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GRaddfriend.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If you want be a host you should click the '''Host''' button visible in the ''main'' window. Then you can set up a name for your lobby and optional restrictions like password. |
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<br>[[File:GRhost.PNG|frameless|500px]] [[File:GRlobbyname.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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When you are in your lobby other users can join. You may want to see if there is anyone online of your friends. In order to open ''friends'' window click on '''Window''' tab and select '''Friends'''. |
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<br>[[File:GRshowfriends.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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If you have friends you can ask them to play with you. Right click on your target. Option of inviting with ''Invite to Game'' may work only if your friend have you in his ''friends''. Otherwise you can only send him a message with ''Send Message...'' which will open a chat window. |
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<br>[[File:GRinv.PNG|frameless|500px]]<br> |
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In the ''chat'' window you can send text messages but writing words in the bottom textbox and pressing ''Enter'' (or ''Return'') key on your keyboard to send your message. Your target will be notified with a sound about your incoming message. |
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<br>[[File:GRchat.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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Hopefully he will join to your lobby and you may be able to start the game with the '''Start''' button in the bottom-right corner of the ''lobby'' window. |
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<br>[[File:GRstart.PNG|frameless|500px]] <br> |
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The game should launch and after short or long loading you may find yourselves in a lobby. If not, there is something wrong with your or your not connected friends network connection so you should investigate or pick another option for playing online. |
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== Hamachi == |
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== Radmin == |
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Latest revision as of 16:07, 10 June 2024
Host and Join Games
The game offers multiple ways to play online with your friends. The InsideEARTH community uses community-hosted EarthNet server, and it is the recommended and most reliable way to play the game online. All available options are:
- EarthNet - InsideEARTH - community version of EarthNet server, recommended way to play multiplayer
- Official EarthNet - mostly offline/down
- VPN Services - such as GameRanger, Hamachi or Radmin
- Direct IP - TCP/IP connection, requires public IP and port forwarding
In case you cannot play for whatever reasons on EarthNet, it is best to pick some VPN service, such as GameRanger - however, you will not be able to play with people who use EarthNet, so this solution is viable only in case you want to play some private games with your friends or family. You don't need to set up every listed multiplayer gaming environment, just pick one the most suited for you (maybe your friend already uses one of them for different games).
EarthNet
EarthNet is a Multiplayer lobby built into the game and can be accessed via the Multiplayer menu option. Since the official EarthNet is mostly offline and isn't maintained, virtually all online games are being played on community EarthNet. This is the recommended way to play online. In order to start using community EarthNet, there are some additional steps required, these can be found here.
VPN Services
If you seek alternatives to EarthNet, you can try one of the known services, such as GameRanger, Hamachi or Radmin. In case of GameRanger, we have a detailed guide available here.
Direct IP
This option requires all players to either be in the same local area network (LAN), or the host to have a public IP with specific ports forwarded. The option is available from within Main Menu > Multiplayer as "TCP/IP Connection". The host needs to go through "Initialize" and "Create New Session" steps, while the clients need to manually enter host's IP address before clicking "Initialize". The game should be listed in "Available sessions" panel. If it isn't, then most likely there are some issues with port forwarding and/or firewall etc.