Multiplayer issues - Clarification

[William Shakeshack]

UPDATE:
The only viable method that worked for me was downloading the multiplayer client provided by Enlight Software, they further made it more accessible. Using the client with gameranger works flawlessly. So I suggest anyone having issues trying this method.


First of all I like to say that I really enjoy playing Seven Kingdoms 2, this hd remake took me somewhat by a surprise and I bought it in an instant to play it with a friend.

Unfortunately this edition is more than unsatisfactory when it comes to compatibility and multiplayer issues. I expected that if the game gets some kind of re-release, that it would have been updated in some areas and that it would be more userfriendly. But it clearly has some issues regarding the multiplayer which is the main reason why I bought this game in the first place.

So my friend and I have been trying for a while now to connect to eachother by using various ways and methods. I'll summarize them briefly and ask for advice and opinions about it, hopefully to help some other people. Don't get me wrong, this game is really great and I would love it to work properly.

Method 1

-Direct connect over TCP/IP

Basically we tried connecting to each others game by using the IPs using this[www.howtofindmyipaddress.com] website which was provided by a post of Enlight Software. Anyhow I am not an expert on IPs and which one I should take, but my friend and I tried all of them to no avail. We can't see any servers at all.

-Direct connect over TCP/IP by using Hamachi

This was the most fruitful method that we tried. Both of us created a Hamachi server which emulates a local network, by using the IvP4 IP provided by the application, we were actually able to see each others server. It is being displayed in the server browser but upon joining, the game just freezes and each of us is being thrown back into the main menu. But the IP seems to work.

Method 2

-Connecting with Gameranger with the Steam SK2 exe

I've used Gameranger in the past for a variety of games and it was pretty reliable. We hosted a game and it was pretty promising at first. Basically we are both in a server when the host launches the game. But the person who joined is unable to pick any options or do anything at all. The host himself can normally configure the game to his liking but cannot launch the game. Basically we both were in a server but somewhat with limited options, we also could see each others chat but the game won't start.

-Connecting with Gameranger by the downloadable multiplayer application

This is very unpleasing to me but Enlight Software provided a seperate multiplayer version from the steam version that can be downloaded from a third party file sharing website. Apparently this version is compatible with Gameranger. This worked for me and my friend.

Conclusion

Now to conclude, I am very displeased by the way this release is handled. Enlight Stoftware is obviously trying to fix things but this is an extremely poorly release. The game clearly advertises multiplayer functionality but as a customer I am required to download another version from a third party file sharing website, which is just very odd and frankly quite cheap.

So does anybody have some advice on the direct TCP/IP connection? I played this game in the past and I remember that I had some issues getting it to run properly but I managed to make it work although I don't remember how. Also I have my firewall disabled.

Thanks in advance. I created this thread to clarify some things up and get some help because generally you get pretty confusing information about the multiplayer. Some explanation to why this doesn't work and how it can be fixed would be very appreciated.

[Enlight Software]

Regarding finding the IP address, here are the instructions from howtofindmyipaddress:

"For Windows users, here is how I can find my IP address. First, click the Start Menu, and select Run. Next, type ''cmd'' into the box and click the ''OK'' button. Finally, at the prompt, type ''ipconfig'' and information about your IP Address will be displayed. "

It seems that the IP address automatically displayed on the howtofindmyipaddress site is not always correct for all computers. The most accurate way to get the IP address is to use the above method and run the ipconfig command directly.

Please give it a try and let us know if it still doesn't work for you.

[William Shakeshack]

I followed the explanation step by step, I do not want to sound condenscending but of course that ip displayed on their will not work with every pc. It did not work thus far.

[Enlight Software]

Have you tried the method of running "ipconfing" on your Windows command prompt?

If it still does not work for you, you may take a look at this video about multiplayer setup for the original Seven Kingdoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMGVvT6QI8

Although they are two different games, they have a similar way of setting up a multiplayer game.

Also, if you want to try the GameRanger solution, you may want to know that we have updated the Seven Kingdoms multiplayer client to the latest version 2.07. You may download it from: http://www.7k2hd.com/multiplayer-guide/

[William Shakeshack]

Originally posted by Enlight Software:

Have you tried the method of running "ipconfing" on your Windows command prompt?

Also, we have updated the Seven Kingdoms multiplayer client to the latest version 2.07. You may download it from: http://www.7k2hd.com/multiplayer-guide/

I stated before that I tried following those steps. This does not help the guide, I read the website with the guide twice and it did not provide a viable solution yet.

[Enlight Software]

If it still does not work for you, you may take a look at this video about multiplayer setup for the original Seven Kingdoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMGVvT6QI8

Although they are two different games, they have a similar way of setting up a multiplayer game.

-----

The multiplayer client download was not available a moment ago temporarily because we were uploading a new version. Now the latest v2.07 is online.

[William Shakeshack]

Originally posted by Enlight Software:

If it still does not work for you, you may take a look at this video about multiplayer setup for the original Seven Kingdoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMGVvT6QI8

Although they are two different games, they have a similar way of setting up a multiplayer game.

-----

The multiplayer client download was not available a moment ago temporarily because we were uploading a new version. Now the latest v2.07 is online.

This did not help much either, my router is vastly different. But ports are forwarded, upnp is activated and everything should be fine. Using the ip address provided by the ipconfig command results in nothing.

[Enlight Software]

Perhaps you could try let the other person creates the multiplayer game.

Sometimes, letting another person host the game may fix the problem even though it is still the same group of players in the multiplayer game.

[William Shakeshack]

I know, we tried that several times but to no avail. We tried using the multiplayer client with gameranger and it worked. We played a match finally.

Although the game was quite laggy but still it's great to be able to play it again.

[Enlight Software]

We have released a new Seven Kingdoms 2 HD multiplayer client.

The new version is extremely light weight (less than 1MB) and will less than one minute to download from Enlight official web site.

For those who experienced long download time with the previous version or do not like downloading from third-party download sites, this new version should address your concerns.

For the details and download links, please check out this web page: http://www.7k2hd.com/multiplayer-guide/

If you have any other concerns or questions, please let us know.

[William Shakeshack]

This is really great to hear! I am quite happy that you are actively working on better alternatives but this information should have more exposure for costumers in the future.

Going to check out the new client, so I can confirm that it works flawlessly with the Gameranger and multiplayer client.

[Daya.Mar.Sana]

Not to sound rediculous but the windows firewall after windows 7, if its off can still block inbound connections, making multiplayer / hosting impossible.

I will admit to skimming a little, but I didnt really see anyweres you tried to check the firewall settings did you?

[William Shakeshack]

I forgot to mention that but the firewalls were both turned off as it is kind of a natural thing for both of us to turn them off. I failed ot add this in my post but again it shows that you couldn't read the posts. Things got solved.

[Criminal Space Cat]

Originally posted by Enlight Software:

Have you tried the method of running "ipconfing" on your Windows command prompt?

If it still does not work for you, you may take a look at this video about multiplayer setup for the original Seven Kingdoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMGVvT6QI8

Although they are two different games, they have a similar way of setting up a multiplayer game.

Also, if you want to try the GameRanger solution, you may want to know that we have updated the Seven Kingdoms multiplayer client to the latest version 2.07. You may download it from: http://www.7k2hd.com/multiplayer-guide/

Thanks for the new client. IT took me 20 minutes. The version before took me 2 hours^^

To play via Gamerange works now. But every match crashed after some time. It seems when there are huge troop movements the game crashed.

We could not reload the autosaves or other savegames. So I am still not satisfied with that purchase.

[=GonTar=]

Maybe this post is old, but we have the same issues as stated above.

The DirectPlay option doesn't Work, there's no instructions on how to solve it, and even if we manage to make TCP/IP a workable solution, it sometimes FREEZES the game, when someone Joins the Lobby (when selecting factions, and nations)

The GameRanger (GR) option was the only workaround that kind of worked, but it messes up the game Res, wich is 1024x768 (instead of the choosen 1600x900) wich resets to 1024 everytime we start a game using GR.

The Actual Gameplay is filled with Networking Studdering, random Freezes of up to 10 seconds, and micro Freezes wich really disturb and make gameplay not enoyable.

It's not supposed to play and feel like an early access/alpha test, as it's clearly not sold as such.

Would LOVE, to see some, any, of these issues worked on, since we kind of literally payed for it.

GameRanger breaks gameplay (tested playing with 4 players and 1 AI) DirectPlay doesn't work, the state of Multiplayer is really "Messy" and feels "incomplete" much like "a test build" a bunch of us tryed with different combinations using v2.10E (and it has nothing to do with IPs or FireWall, everybody playing was a PC expert, and experienced users, Ports, IP's, Firewalls and AntiVirus are out of the Frame).

We have high regards for everybody involved into caring for Seven Kingomds games, it's a childhood favorite of ours, and an exellent title, that's why we are a bit "shocked" to see and try this release as of today May/2021 and find out all these issues on the table when trying to play and even stream it for people to get to know Seven Kingdoms (wich is impossible as the state of the MultiPlayer is literally "described above")

Hugs and Love from a really far place

[William Shakeshack]

Originally posted by =GonTar=:

Maybe this post is old, but we have the same issues as stated above.

The DirectPlay option doesn't Work, there's no instructions on how to solve it, and even if we manage to make TCP/IP a workable solution, it sometimes FREEZES the game, when someone Joins the Lobby (when selecting factions, and nations)

The GameRanger (GR) option was the only workaround that kind of worked, but it messes up the game Res, wich is 1024x768 (instead of the choosen 1600x900) wich resets to 1024 everytime we start a game using GR.

The Actual Gameplay is filled with Networking Studdering, random Freezes of up to 10 seconds, and micro Freezes wich really disturb and make gameplay not enoyable.

It's not supposed to play and feel like an early access/alpha test, as it's clearly not sold as such.

Would LOVE, to see some, any, of these issues worked on, since we kind of literally payed for it.

GameRanger breaks gameplay (tested playing with 4 players and 1 AI) DirectPlay doesn't work, the state of Multiplayer is really "Messy" and feels "incomplete" much like "a test build" a bunch of us tryed with different combinations using v2.10E (and it has nothing to do with IPs or FireWall, everybody playing was a PC expert, and experienced users, Ports, IP's, Firewalls and AntiVirus are out of the Frame).

We have high regards for everybody involved into caring for Seven Kingomds games, it's a childhood favorite of ours, and an exellent title, that's why we are a bit "shocked" to see and try this release as of today May/2021 and find out all these issues on the table when trying to play and even stream it for people to get to know Seven Kingdoms (wich is impossible as the state of the MultiPlayer is literally "described above")

Hugs and Love from a really far place :heart:

Hey there!

Actually, it's been so long since I played this in mulitplayer but I remember playing a lot this version in multiplayer and it worked rather well. Connecting ingame never worked for us so we relied on Gameranger. Although the graphics and gameplay generally worked. Although from what I can tell, this game is a bit flawed and has some issues at times. I'm not sure if it's just age but the this remaster worked for me fine in multiplayer with gameranger. The AI just went mental sometimes or we had some weird issues related to pathfinding. But it's an old game.