View Full Version : Creative Assembly Games Via IP
RangerLee
08-08-2002, 06:33
Has there been any word on whether or not we will be able to play MP games via IP?
I know it will utilize gamespy, so I would assume that it would have to have an IP option.
it probably will, most games include it.
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-All knowledge is worth having-
There will be no direct ip option. All online battles have to kick off from the Gamespy matchmaking server. This has been confirmed by CA.
yarg...ignore the business about the "it does have ip you idiot" what i meant to say was "it won't". you know how it is? right? ya know? erm... http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif
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-All knowledge is worth having-
the Count of Flanders
08-08-2002, 13:13
errm, last time I checked (yesterday) Gamespy DID have direct IP connect
i was thinking direct ip as in an in game option, like when you click on multi, it'll have "gamespy/lan/direct ip".
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-All knowledge is worth having-
Erado the Black
08-08-2002, 15:49
To IP or not to IP, that's the question.
Of course it uses IP. It even uses direct IP. BUT: to be able to host or join a game you have to go through Gamespy's matchmaking services. As soon as you enter a game it's a direct IP connection. Btu you cannot enter a game without Gamespy.
Toda Nebuchadnezzar
08-08-2002, 16:59
it was the same with stw and mi right?
you went through the server then it was a direct IP game when u got started.
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Jaguara-Spoken like a TRUE SPAMMER Toda!
No Fear Legend.
Correct Nebu. The game is peer-to-peer direct ip, but a server is needed to make the initial connection between machines for a battle to launch. This server function is an external program not distributed with the game.
[This message has been edited by Puzz3D (edited 08-08-2002).]
Quote Originally posted by Puzz3D:
This server function is an external program not distributed with the game.[/QUOTE]
Incorrect. They said it has a built in browser that uses the Gamespy technology. I would say with a lot of confidence that there is a direct ip connect.
Not incorrect. The built in browser simply takes you to the GameSpy server. Without the GameSpy server, you can't play internet games.
chilliwilli
08-08-2002, 22:00
Well it does have a LAN if that helps anyone.........
RangerLee
08-09-2002, 00:29
Well I was asking if it had a direct IP option such as multiplayer: gamespy/lan/IP
Most games that are MP now-a-days have it but not STW, and that makes it frustrating when I want to do a MP game but the servers are not up.
the Count of Flanders
08-09-2002, 01:07
in that case: if the gamespy server is down you're still utterly f***ed
[This message has been edited by the Count of Flanders (edited 08-08-2002).]
GilJaysmith
08-09-2002, 15:19
There is no option for direct IP connection. Hosting an internet game has to go via GameSpy.
We use GameSpy because we want to validate your CD key, we want a chatroom service, and we want a browsable game list. You can probably guess why we want to validate your CD key, and why we're not all that interested in supporting a connection system which wouldn't.
As for server availability... there should be far less downtime for MTW.
Gil @ CA
Konnichiwa,
-Isn't the CD key validated on install?
-An one time 'activation' would allow direct IP for legal copies?
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Ja mata
Toda MizuTosaInu
Daimyo Takiyama Shi
http://www.takiyama.cjb.net
GilJaysmith
08-09-2002, 16:35
You only have to enter the CD key when you first connect to GameSpy.
Any one-time validation system ends up storing something on your local machine to indicate "CD key OK". A good hacker will find this in minutes.
Gil @ CA
ShadeWraith
08-09-2002, 16:42
The no direct IP option,is the biggest turn off for me. I can understand the reasons behind it...I just dont agree with it. Having to validate cd to play MP will only stop software piracy for multi players, if you want to play a pirate copy in single play theres no problem. As the breakdown between solo and internet players is probably at least 75/25..probably more, and a lot of the multi players are the most loyal and supportive of STW/MI/MTW and would not dream of using pirate/warez copies. I feel you are punishing the loyal minority unjustly by denying no direct ip option. Im sorry to appear negative but I feel quite strongly about this, as direct ip connection is not a problem in other online games I play.
Wraith
the Count of Flanders
08-09-2002, 17:37
I can live with this: the Gamespy servers are in my experience much more reliable (never seen one down for various games).
Erado the Black
08-09-2002, 18:17
Look, I don't think there have been many games that have been let down like TW games have been let down by EA. That has made all of us very suspicious to say the least whenever someone mentions 'server'. Damn it gives us the willies http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
Gamespy specialises in matchmaking services. They can't afford to have their servers down as often as EA does, because frankly, that would put them out of business. Ok, things can go wrong, machines can break down. But I think it will happen far less, and when it happens I am convinced we won't have to wait for a week until the thing is up again.
While direct IP would certainly not help in keeping this community together, I am not very interested in direct ip. I like tha chat rooms, and think they are as much part of the multiplayer experience as the battles themselves.
ShadeWraith
08-09-2002, 19:16
Well I hope Gamespy is better than ubisoft, which players of Ghost Recon were supposed to use...that foyer sucked big time. The only saving grace was a direct ip option in the game. Theres more to an efficient matchmaking service than "uptime". The whole validation of cd key for online gaming, as a means of combating software piracy is about as logical as trying to cut road deaths by making only owners of blue coloured cars have airbags.
Wraith
[This message has been edited by ShadeWraith (edited 08-09-2002).]
GilJaysmith
08-09-2002, 21:05
Quote Originally posted by ShadeWraith:
The whole validation of cd key for online gaming, as a means of combating software piracy is about as logical as trying to cut road deaths by making only owners of blue coloured cars have airbags.
[/QUOTE]
If people won't voluntarily fit airbags, then a law compelling owners of blue cars to fit them will at least help to save lives amongst owners of blue cars...
Anyway, I've said my piece and you know the situation. You'll have to let us know once you've bought and played the game whether GameSpy's service and the multiplayer experience in general is satisfactory. If you're very concerned about the quality of service, the obvious answer is to wait to hear about other people's experiences, which I expect will appear very quickly on this forum and elsewhere.
Gil ~ CA
ShadeWraith
08-09-2002, 21:51
Gil, I will purchase the game on release, whether it uses gamespy or direct ip or both. My comments were not intended as criticism of you personally, I really appreciate a member of CA staff posting here with informed comments. Just from my point of view I believed there was an element of flawed logic in anti-piracy measures that could only be targeted at a small minority of total users of the game. As for waiting to hear what other users say, Im one of the sad individuals who intends taking release day off work so I can play all day http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
Wraith
GilJaysmith
08-10-2002, 02:11
ShadeWraith, sorry if it looked like I was taking anything personally... my bagel must have gone down the wrong way at lunchtime http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/smile.gif
It sounds like you're already hopelessly addicted to the thought of MTW... just wait till you actually get your hands on it.
Gil ~ CA
Konnichiwa Gil Jaysmith sama,
Wouldn't it be possible to check the validity of the CD key on a central server just prior to hosting a DirectIP game?
That's almost what happens now, but I believe that people with say routers would be
able to host if they could just provide IP#.
Joiners would still have their CD key checked on the central server too, but can just enter the IP# provided by the host.
Isn't such a server called authentication server?
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Ja mata
Toda MizuTosaInu
Daimyo Takiyama Shi
http://www.takiyama.cjb.net
RangerLee
08-13-2002, 02:33
I have used gamespy for many other games and it will not be a problem for me to use it here.
The reason I am interested in having the IP was just because of my experience with STW, I am brand new to this game but I have not been able to play it online since I have not been able to connect to the servers even one time.
I have played on my lan when my buddy came up and visited and man that is fun.
One last question. My buddy and I were hoping to team up against the computer and play as allies against an AI opponent (hey we are both newbs, dont judge http://www.totalwar.org/ubb/wink.gif )
However we found that is not an option. Will playing with AI opponents be available in MTW?
Starcraft had direct IP connection but Warcraft3 doesn't. It only supports battle.net or LAN. The logic game companies make it this, it is hard to combat piracy when all somebody wants to do is play single player. However, it is easier to stop piracy in multiplayer by checking for CD-key while starting a game. This means that some people who would want to play multiplayer also would buy a legit copy instead of looking for a multiplayer crack.
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