How To Multiplayer: Troubleshooting Connection and Latency Issues

[Vertigo Games]

If you are the host of a session in Arizona Sunshine (either by pressing the Host button, or by being the first player in a Matchmaking lobby), other players will have to be able to connect to you. If they can’t, try the steps in the Firewall and Forwarding sections.

Arizona Sunshine uses a peer-to-peer networking solution, this means that sometimes the network will have to be configured correctly. Most of the times this is done automatically by the game and the hardware, but sometimes this is not enough. Please follow the steps below if you are experiencing connection or latency issues before contacting support. This way we can filter out valuable feedback and quickly resolve issues for everyone.

[Steam] First checks

If you are playing our games through Steam, please try the following steps before continuing:

Restart your PC & Steam
Simply restarting steam and your computer can fix many common errors, it is recommended to do this before proceeding.

Verify Integrity of Game Files
It can happen that your game files are incorrectly installed or have become corrupt. Run the steps in the following URL to check the integrity of your game files: Steam - check file integrity

Check if the steam server is down
This will happen very rarely, but if it is down playing the game in multiplayer will not be possible.
You can check the status of the steam server on the following url: https://steamstat.us/.

Update Windows & hardware drivers

Out of date drivers and operating systems can cause a variety of issues. It is common knowledge that GPU drivers should be up to date for games, but also other hardware such as Network cards will require and update once in a while. Even new computers can have outdated drivers!
Some games and programs can and will work fine with older drivers and version, but specific games and programs can still have technical issues.

Update your windows
Quite often you will have an update ready for Windows that is not installed automatically. These can be related to networking.

// Windows 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press the Windows Key
  
• Type Update and Security and press Enter
  
• Select Check for Updates
  
• Updates will be downloaded and installed if there are any
  
• Restart your computer

Update your hardware drivers
There are many different types of hardware manufacturers which makes it impossible to write a guide for them all. Below you can find the common method to look for updates, if that doesn’t help you will have to contact the manufacturer of your specific hardware device.

// Windows 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press the Windows Key
  
• Type Device Manager and press Enter
  
• Browse to Network Adapters and right-click on your used Network adapter
  
• Select Update Driver Software
  
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software
  
• Restart your computer

Update your modem and router firmware
Modem and routers also run their own software called firmware. Often these are not updated automatically and will require a manual update. Even new hardware can still have old firmware on it! Since there are many types of modem and routers we can’t write a definitive guide here. But most of the times firmware and update guides can be found on the manufacturer’s website of your router and/or modem.

Power cycle network devices

Power cycling your network devices will reset and re-establish connections. Perform the following steps in order to perform a power cycle:

• Shut down all computers connected to the modem/router
  
• Power down and unplug the modem/router
  
• Leave the modem/router unplugged for a minute
  
• Plug in the modem/router
  
• Start PC

Firewall

There are many types of firewalls which have different guidelines. You may need to contact your manufacturer of your firewall in order to properly configure exceptions.

Add firewall exceptions
Create a firewall exception for port 48170 for both TCP and UDP.

// Windows 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press Window Key
  
• Type Firewall and press Enter
  
• Select Advanced Settings
  
• On the left side select Inbound Rules
  
• On the right side select New Rule…
  
• Select Port and select Next
  
• Select UDP (we will add one for TCP later)
  
• In the Specific local ports field enter: 48170 and select Next
  
• Select Allow the connection. Select Next
  
• Select Domain, Private and Public if they aren’t. Select Next
  
• Enter a name (i.e. ArizonaSunshine) and select Finish
  
• Now also add a New Rule for TCP

Disable firewall ( not recommended )
A quick check if your firewall is causing issues, is to disable it completely. This is not recommended for a permanent solution, but will let you learn whether the firewall is the issue.

Disable / Uninstall third party firewalls
Third party firewall programs can cause a plethora of issues. We suggest disabling or uninstalling these firewalls completely.

Port forwarding

If you are hosting a game and are experiencing issues that other players cannot join you, your router might not be forwarding the data to your computer. To resolve this you will have to forward ports to the machine that is hosting the game. Doing this is very specific to the router hardware, most of the time a guide can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

The ports that will have to be forwarded is 48170 for both TCP and UDP.

Optimize internet connection

If you are experiencing connectivity issues, jittery gameplay in multiplayer, or disconnects while in a session. Try the following steps to optimize your internet connection:

• If you’re using a wireless connection, connect directly to your router or modem
  
• Shut down other programs that access the internet, such as other games or download programs
  
• Don’t use satellite and cellular phone internet connections. This are not stable connections and will cause connection issues
  
• Do not use proxies or VPN connections

Close applications
Background applications can interfere a lot with your network. Streaming data is a common issue for slow connections, make sure that background applications are closed.

Here is a list of examples of common applications that can cause latency issues due to the increase of the networking load:

• Skype
  
• Teamspeak/Ventrilo/Discord/Mumble
  
• Spotify
  
• Web browsers ( especially when streaming content such as Youtube, Twitch )
  
• Torrent download programs (i.e. μTorrent)

Additionally, there can be background applications running that you are unaware of. Follow the following steps to disable those applications:

// Windows 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press Windows Key + R
  
• Type msconfig and press Enter
  
• Select Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items
  
• Then, select the Services tab
  
• Check Hide all Microsoft services
  
• Select Disable all
  
• Select Apply
  
• Restart your computer

If the above as solved your issue, there is a problematic service.

Configure your Domain Name System (DNS)

Release/Renew IP and Flush your DNS

// Window 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press Windows Key + X
  
• Select Command Prompt (Run as Administrator)
  
• Type ipconfig /release in the command prompt.
  
• Press enter
  
• Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been released.
  
• Type ipconfig /renew in the command prompt.
  
• Press enter
  
• Wait a few seconds for a reply that the IP address has been re-established.
  
• Type ipconfig /flushdns in the command prompt.
  
• Press enter
  
• Close the command prompt and attempt to make a connection.

Changing to a public DNS
IMPORTANT: Changing these settings can cause problems with your internet connection.. Be prepared to revert to your old settings.

// Windows 8 / 10

• While on the desktop, press Windows Key + X
  
• Select Control Panel
  
• Select Network and Sharing Center
  
• Select Change Adapter Settings
  
• Right click on your used network adapter and select Properties
  
• Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties
  
• Change Obtain DNS server address automatically to Use the following DNS server addresses
  
• Fill in the following Google public DNS IP addresses:
  8.8.8.8
  8.8.4.4
  
• Press OK
  
• Flush your DNS
  
• Restart your computer

Setting up a Multiplayer game between Oculus and Steam (Advanced Tutorial)

In a network there are many factors that can prevent a connection between 2 devices, however we have put together a tutorial that should help you on your way in most cases. Follow the following steps:

Router

• Forward port 48170 (UDP and TCP) to the machine running Arizona Sunshine. (for instructions lookup a manual by your routers manufacterer)
  
• Check if your router has an internal firewall (or any other settings that might prevent connections), if so, make sure to add an exception to port 48170 (UDP and TCP) there as well.

PC

• Add exceptions to all firewalls running on the host machine for port 48170 (UDP and TCP).
  
• Lookup your public IP using a site like "http://www.whatsmyip.org/" and pass this on to your friend, it should look something like this xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx replacing xxx with any number between 0 and 256. (In game we display a Host IP, you should be able to use that one as well)
  
• Start up Arizona Sunshine and navigate to a multiplayer menu (either Campaign or Horde mode), from there pick the "Play with a Friend" option and wait for the lobby menu to appear.

Friend's PC

• Start up Arizona Sunshine and navigate to the same multiplayer menu as your friend (either Campaign or Horde mode), from there pick the "Join by IP" option.
  
• Fill in the IP mentioned in step 4 either using the onscreen buttons or your keyboard, check if it was filled in correctly, if so, press "Connect".
  
• You should now have successfully connected to your friend.

Please note:

• Voice chat is not supported between different platforms.
  
• The first 2 numbers in the game version should be the same on both your pc and your friends pc (visible in the menu with no cartridge inserted in to the game console)

More information can be found on https://developers.google.com/speed/public-dns/.