Playing over a lan....

[TerranAce007 0]

Ok, I have 2 computers in my house connected to a cable router.

I want to be able to host a game from one, and be able to connect from the other one so two people can play.

I only bought 1 copy of the game, so I only have one CD. The game wont start without it, so if I host from one computer, I cant start the game on the the second computer.

I downloaded the latest dedicated server 1.42 patch, but I'm confused on how to use it.

How do I run a dedicated server w/o the CD from one system, and se the CD on the other to join. I want to be able to play on the host system too.

thanx!

[Mask 0]

Well from what i have read, it doesn't seem to be really a problem. U r saying that u want to host a game. Well before doing so u have to go through steps like launching the game, choosing multiplayer, connection, map and so on. As i know from my CD, i only need it to launch the game where afterwards a splash screen appears and the codemasters loggo, etc... After that i can play without it, the game doesn't requires u to place a CD again so u would be able to play the game and stuff. If u have understood everything so far, so here is what im suggesting. Just start the game on one PC (but just launch the game untill u see the screen where u choose "Campaign, single and multiplayer, editor, options....) Then place the same CD on the other PC and also launch the game. From here u won't be having any problems as long as u know how to create a server and stuff. Well good luck to u guys and if u have any probs, just say it.

[TerranAce007 0]

That works, Thanx!

I didn't think you could take the CD out while the game was running.

[kilerbee 1]

btw, doesnt "dedicated" mean that the host cant play? (thus making the idea of 2 computers lan a bit useless?)

[Placebo 29]

That was his point

[Mister Frag 0]

Also, the dedicated server does not need the CD in the drive to run. You need it during the installation, but not when hosting.

[Major Fubar 0]

If you use the same CD key in both installations you will get FADE.....*sigh*.....

[Sheriff 0]

That hasn't been proven.

[Major Fubar 0]

It's a fact as far as I know...

[Mister Frag 0]

Again, while you need both the original CD and a CD key while installing the dedicated server, to run it you need neither. You can connect from a second PC to a dedicated server that was installed with the same CD key, and not trigger FADE.

If two clients use the CD key, this will be detected, and the clients will get disconnected after a FADE warning gets displayed.

[Major Fubar 0]

Yes, sorry, I was thinking of two players, not a player and server.

[Renagade 0]

That sucks, as if someones going to buy 2 games just so they can play OFP multiplayer for maybe a couple of hours

[Major Fubar 0]

Couldn't agree with you more Renagade. I think game designers/publishers should allow for at least two or three players to share one copy of a game in a LAN environment. It's a bit unrealistic to expect a household with 2 PCs to buy 2 copies of the same game to play via LAN.

[Mister Frag 0]

For people who want to try out MP gaming with OFP, there's the totally free MP Demo, you can load it on as many PCs as you wish.

Beyond that, you will need one copy for each player in the game. That's Codemaster's policy, and all that the license permits.

[Major Fubar 0]

Strangely enough, Codemasters also release Colin McCrae Rally, which includes a fully-featured LAN only installation so you can play it on an unlimited (?) number of connected PCs.

[Mister Frag 0]

Codemasters is only the publisher, so my guess is that the licensing terms for each game is a combination of what each developers and CM have agreed upon. Some developers may allow their product to be used on more than one PC, and some don't.