Multiplayer on Same Network

[QuasarDecimari]

My girlfriend and I are absolutely loving this game, and enjoy the Multiplayer aspects of it so much. We have, however, had to figure out our own special formula for how we can actually play multiplayer together, as we have had a lot of trial and error joining each others sessions. I was wondering if anyone could help me determine if this might be something to do with our network configuration, or if it’s just the game and it’s hiccups.

We are on the same network connected via ethernet cable to the same router (in the same room).

To play Multiplayer together, this is what we have found works 75% of the time:
1. I start by unplugging our router for 30 seconds and then plug it back in to reboot.
2. Once the router is online, I boot NMS while my girlfriend remains on her (Windows) desktop.
3. Once my game has booted, I press “Multiplayer” and “Host New Session.”
4. After the session loads, I go into options and click “Network.”
5. From here, I invite my girlfriend to play the game via Steam.
6. She receives the invite and it boots the game, pulling her into my lobby. She then chooses her save and we play together.

If we do NOT perform the above steps, we cannot join each other in game. My game does not show on the Multiplayer screen (even tho we are Steam and NMS friends). Inviting her via Steam while she is already in the game fails to join the session. Soon after attempts are made and failed, I will receive a “No connection to matchmaking servers” error upon opening the network screen. The only fix for this is to reboot the router again.

Does anyone have any ideas based on this info? I really appreciate anyone that tries to help or speculate! Thanks!

[Doc]

I think 🤔 it's because you have to add each other as NMS friends not just Steam friends, NMS has a specific friend code system, the way you're doing it is fine although not sure if you actually need to reboot your router each time, that might just be a fluke or something 🤭

Go to Network and there's an option to view your NMS friend code and add NMS friends, that should be easier for joining the next time, let me know how it goes 🤗

[Geldric™]

You should absolutely try the above suggestion, I mean it certainly can't hurt.

However I just checked my NMS friends (in game, Options->Network->View NMS Friends) and neither my wife nor my grandson are listed as NMS friends (note we are Steam friends) and we can and have played together for years (some sessions lasting many hours without issue).

I wish I had a suggestion but alas I do not. However, let me describe my network and hope it triggers something else for you to try.

My wife & I have desktop PC's with a CAT5 cable connected to an Apple Airport Extreme.

The Apple Airport Extreme is connected to, or rather "extends" the wireless network created by an Apple Airport Time Capsule (same as extreme just has a built-in hard drive). This Time Capsule is wired into my Motorola Surfboard (yes, it's ancient) cable modem.

My grandson uses a laptop that connects to the Time Capsule via Wi-Fi as do a bunch of other devices we have including two Mac Mini's.

So after describing all that "we" (the three computers) have no problem playing together in NMS, any of the Borderlands games, Genshin Impact and even Path of Exile. (note: GI and PoE are both server based, not P2P).

Apologies for the wall of text but you asked the question at the end and I'll paraphrase:
"Is it you or NMS"

It sounds to me like it's on your end somewhere, just wish I could offer something to help :(

[QuasarDecimari]

Originally posted by Doc:

Go to Network and there's an option to view your NMS friend code and add NMS friends, that should be easier for joining the next time, let me know how it goes 🤗

Thank you for this recommendation! Unfortunately, that was the first thing we did when we first played together. We are already NMS friends (and steam friends) but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Originally posted by Geldric:

So after describing all that "we" (the three computers) have no problem playing together in NMS, any of the Borderlands games, Genshin Impact and even Path of Exile. (note: GI and PoE are both server based, not P2P).

Apologies for the wall of text but you asked the question at the end and I'll paraphrase:
"Is it you or NMS"

It sounds to me like it's on your end somewhere, just wish I could offer something to help :(

Thank you, as well, for your input. My girlfriend and I are both connected to our router via CAT5 Ethernet cables, and don't have connectivity issues with any other games except this one. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't something wrong on our end, I just can't figure out what that might be. I might try doing the opposite of what was suggested and remove my girlfriend as a NMS friend. I'll see what effect that has on this issue.

[Doc]

Originally posted by QuasarDecimari:

Originally posted by Doc:

Go to Network and there's an option to view your NMS friend code and add NMS friends, that should be easier for joining the next time, let me know how it goes 🤗

Thank you for this recommendation! Unfortunately, that was the first thing we did when we first played together. We are already NMS friends (and steam friends) but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Originally posted by Geldric:

So after describing all that "we" (the three computers) have no problem playing together in NMS, any of the Borderlands games, Genshin Impact and even Path of Exile. (note: GI and PoE are both server based, not P2P).

Apologies for the wall of text but you asked the question at the end and I'll paraphrase:
"Is it you or NMS"

It sounds to me like it's on your end somewhere, just wish I could offer something to help :(

Thank you, as well, for your input. My girlfriend and I are both connected to our router via CAT5 Ethernet cables, and don't have connectivity issues with any other games except this one. Still, that doesn't mean there isn't something wrong on our end, I just can't figure out what that might be. I might try doing the opposite of what was suggested and remove my girlfriend as a NMS friend. I'll see what effect that has on this issue.

I'm sorry to hear that, I don't know what else to suggest, I'm afraid I'm not very technical minded, only just got my first gaming PC a few months ago and my last laptop was only Windows Vista 🤭 I hope someone more technically minded sees this though, must be so annoying for you both, I'll keep my eye on the thread though, hope it works out for you 🤗

[Geldric™]

I own my cable modem and as such configured it to not block or restrict access to any ports. This is also true for my router.

If your modem or router has ports blocked that may cause an issue. This article, even though old (pretty sure ports don't change) may provide additional help:
https://portforward.com/no-man-s-sky/

GL

[Ǥɾᴧᴤʆᴧᵯᴧ]

There are always problems with multiplayer when players are on the same LAN. This has to do with the thing that both players want to open the same ports on the router and fight over it. The connection breaks down because the data is not routed correctly to the LAN participants.

This is a technical problem that Microsoft will probably not be able to solve.
Yes Microsoft, not HG, because Microsoft Playfab was commissioned by HG to organize the multiplayer.

I can only assume that QuasarDecimari's trick is for the 2nd client to connect the lobby from the 1st client (host) via LAN. And the host (client 1) handles the telemetry with the rest of the multiplayer system over the internet.

So in my opinion it has nothing to do with friend lists.

[Finaryman]

Originally posted by Ǥɾᴧᴤʆᴧᵯᴧ:

This is a technical problem that Microsoft will probably not be able to solve.
Yes Microsoft, not HG, because Microsoft Playfab was commissioned by HG to organize the multiplayer.

I can only assume that QuasarDecimari's trick is for the 2nd client to connect the lobby from the 1st client (host) via LAN. And the host (client 1) handles the telemetry with the rest of the multiplayer system over the internet.

u just said the answer and think they r not able to solve it, lol.

[Geldric™]

Originally posted by Ǥɾᴧᴤʆᴧᵯᴧ:

There are always problems with multiplayer when players are on the same LAN. <snip>

And yet I and many others do not experience any issues with:
Borderlands 1 & GOTY (2 players on same network)
Borderlands 2 (3 players on same network)
Borderlands 3 (4 players on same network)
NMS (3 players on same network)
TT Assault on Dragon Keep (2 players on same network)
Wonderlands (2 players on same network)

Worked when we ran Windows 10 and still works with Windows 11.

I'm all for throwing shade on Microsoft but have not experienced this "always problems with multiplayer when players are on the same LAN"

Of course YMMV

[Ǥɾᴧᴤʆᴧᵯᴧ]

the exact meaning of my sentence got lost in translation. i was too lazy to check it again, but who cares if you are not petty ;p but it's a common thing. i know this problem for many years.

at least it's never a thing of a friend list. friend lists only hold ID´s to identify a player like a telephone number. important is, how the connections are established and what checks the systems made to connect to each other. it's simply technically insufficiently solved... and nice, some others have developed a workaround - well done!

I think with Quakeworld it was also one of those things, when you wanted to bring LANparty and Internet together somehow. but ok, problems were common those times, - about 25 years ago... or a lil more, who cares.... today i wouldn't expect it but it still happens *g* although it's so important for families and couples.

[QuasarDecimari]

Thankfully, at least, my trick works. I hope to see a day where we don't have to do my trick and I can play seamlessly over LAN, but oh well. Thank you all for your interesting input on this topic.