Any tips on doing MTW MP without using the Internet?

[Fionn]

I want to play 3 or 4 player, but at home, without a LAN.

Previously I was able to do this with 2 pcs linked by a null modem cable - it worked well (no crashing modem connections, plus satisfaction of being able to laugh at my brother in the same room when I won).

Is it possible to do this by adding one or two extra PCs in order to have a three or four person MP game in the same room?

I'm not a network techie so any step by step suggestions on how to do this would be great. e.g. do you need any other hardware or just some kind of two way socket that allows you to plug two modem cables into the back of the host pc?

Any suggestions on this would be very welcome!

[Tocca]

Why don't you want a LAN?
I don't think it's possible to connect more than two PCs with a null modem cable, and considering that a couple of network cards (if you don't have it already) and a hub is really cheap today, i wouldn't even try it "the old way".

I've seen packages with four network cards and a hub sold in a bundle for much less than $100.
If you have WinXP it's a breeze to setup a local network. Just connect all PCs to the hub, doubleclick the "My network places" icon and pick "set up a home or small office network". Then you just follow the guide.

Almost all network cards today is 100mbit, so you'll get a fast solid LAN.