Any idea why can't join MP games?

[Jochi Khan]

When I first installed this game, opened router ports, set firewalls to allow access to the game etc I was able to host games and join other players hosted games.

Since the first 'auto' patch I have been unable to join or host games.
But can join Quick Battles, where Steam selects your army and opponent. Veeery strange.

I have checked and double checked ALL settings and still without success.

The dreaded Unable to join game. No response from Host.

[Tomisama]

When I first installed this game, opened router ports, set firewalls to allow access to the game etc I was able to host games and join other players hosted games.

Since the first 'auto' patch I have been unable to join or host games.
But can join Quick Battles, where Steam selects your army and opponent. Veeery strange.

I have checked and double checked ALL settings and still without success.

The dreaded Unable to join game. No response from Host.

Some thoughts that may or not be helpful.

Preconceptions can be your worst enemy at this stage of troubleshooting.

For example, “it worked before, so it should work now”.

It may have worked before as a fluke, other people were having other major problems, and when the other problems were solved by the patch, the fluke that should have never happened in the first place, went away.

You see what I mean?

And there have been three patches, your current situation showed up on the second patch. I hoped the third would have corrected it, but not so.

Quick Games operate through the Steam Server (and why they are limited games), where the hosted games require linking with the game host. That is very likely why you can have one and not the other.

Empire Total War is not a server based game like many of the other games on Steam. GameSpy and Electronic Arts before them got the same bad rap when it was never of them either.

Total War games have always been host based games. The fact you do not even have to be connected to Steam to play multiplayer (you can play via Hamachi), should tell you something...

http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...71#post9574471

It seems that the hosting computer is not recognizing you computer, or your computer is not able to receive the response from the host. The result is you get no answer to your request to join, and then your program efficiently times out and tells you that, with the error message.

Btw have you checked with BT Broadband Desktop Help?

http://www.btopenworld.com/drivers

[Jochi Khan]

Btw have you checked with BT Broadband Desktop Help?

http://www.btopenworld.com/drivers

Yes, been there. Not getting any joy though.

With regards to the link, BT Home Hubs connected via an Ethernet cable (as mine is) do not require drivers or driver updates.

All ideas being investigated.

[Jochi Khan]

After two hours of trying to join games tonight and still getting Failed to join game. No response from host, I am ready to dump this game in the waste bin.

Not for the want of trying.

Checked and double checked...port settings (Router)...Firewalls...Antivirus program (incase it could be that causing the problem).

I have never known so much hassle with a game as with this one. Very disappointed to say the least.

[Hunter KIng George]

Jochi, I had the very same problem with MTW2, I dont understand as well...as soon as I downloaded the last patch for it..bam could not connect anymore. Just dont understand.

[tibilicus]

After two hours of trying to join games tonight and still getting Failed to join game. No response from host, I am ready to dump this game in the waste bin.

Not for the want of trying.

Checked and double checked...port settings (Router)...Firewalls...Antivirus program (incase it could be that causing the problem).

I have never known so much hassle with a game as with this one. Very disappointed to say the least.

In exactly the same boat, im tempted to ditch my homehub and BT for that matter altogether. Not only is their router built like Alcatraz and an absolute **** to configure but the customer service is also awful.

[Tomisama]

While waiting for programs to process (my work), I have been researching the BT Home Hub as time allows. The number of complaints leads one to be highly suspicious (and I am being kind).

Is there any way either of you BT users might be able to get the loan of another manufactures device, or purchase one with agreement if it doesn’t work, you can bring it back?

Is there anyone reading who can confirm one way or the other that the BT Home works in the UK (consistently) with this program?

We’ve got to get these guys playing…


P.S. Tib, can you join Quick Games? Jochi has reproted he can join Quick Games but not hosted ones. This is important.

[Jochi Khan]

While waiting for programs to process (my work), I have been researching the BT Home Hub as time allows. The number of complaints leads one to be highly suspicious (and I am being kind).

In exactly the same boat, im tempted to ditch my homehub and BT for that matter altogether. Not only is their router built like Alcatraz and an absolute **** to configure but the customer service is also awful.

The same can be said of many other ISPs.
I was left without an internet connection for over month a few years ago because of an unreliable ISP. They eventually went bust.
I have found BT to be very reliable and have had no problems with configuring other than an email account problem at setup.

If there is a suspected problem with the BT Hub or BT why am I able to host ALL the other Total War games WITHOUT any problems? I was also able to host and join ETW MP before the first auto update (patch).

Is there any way either of you BT users might be able to get the loan of another manufactures device, or purchase one with agreement if it doesn’t work, you can bring it back?

I do have another adsl modem, an EA900 USB purchased from the ISP that went bust but I do not want to go messing around and possibly screw up a perfectly good connection just to test if I can host/play MP ETW. It is Windows 95-XP compatable, Yes, 6 years old.

This pc is running Windows Vista.