2-player multiplayer on local LAN PROBLEMS!

[willygc]

I'm playing Factorio-Space Age with my son Multiplayer at home (same room, 2 computers) using same WIFI connection. Problems:

1. When using the Local LAN option I can't see the local multiplayer game. The list is EMPTY and we tried everything, but no luck.

2. When using the public server option we can play multiplayer but it goes sometimes slow and there are recurrent lags that destroys de game experience for the other player. Is playable but not fun.

Any suggestions/ideas?

Thanks.

[Overeagerdragon]

If you are playing via steam... just invite friends to your game via the steam friends list :)

EDIT: As for the lag... the host should have the most powerful PC to host it whereas both parties need a good internet connection. Lag is usually a problem of either the host having a potato (so it can't keep up with the complex calculations being sent to it via the connection to keep up with the other party OR the incoming connection being bad so the data isn't transferred in a timely manner
If the HOST is lagging it's usually a hardware issue
If the GUEST is lagging it's usually the internet connection

[willygc]

Originally posted by Overeagerdragon:

If you are playing via steam... just invite friends to your game via the steam friends list :)

Will this method be faster (with no lags) than playing on Local LAN?

[willygc]

We are both playing on same internet and our internet wifi connection at home is very fast. We can play GEFORCE NOW cloud with no problems. And still there is lag when playing Factorio.

Anyone know if changing Factorio settings (graphics, etc) make a difference when playing on local LAN?

[Overeagerdragon]

Originally posted by willygc:

Originally posted by Overeagerdragon:

If you are playing via steam... just invite friends to your game via the steam friends list :)

Will this method be faster (with no lags) than playing on Local LAN?

LAN is a deceptive term these days... Local Area Network was most used for people playing WITHOUT an internet connection (directly connected via networking cables). If you are directly connected via Lan; run the game OUTSIDE of steam and connect via there (make sure firewalls don't exclude people in the network)... that way Steam doesn't interfere

If you ARE using the internet then you can try to connect via IP; it might be faster than running the game through steam's auth servers.

LAN is ALWAYS faster but I've seen games that say they are LAN but still require the internet which means you need to go via ISP servers etc etc.

My original statement still stands though... if the HOST is lagging too it's more likely the one hosting the game doesn't have the hardware in order to keep up with the calculations the game is making in the background.

[willygc]

Thanks. The HOST has zero lag. So the problem is the connection based on what you say.

[Overeagerdragon]

Originally posted by willygc:

We are both playing on same internet and our internet wifi connection is very fast. We can play GEFORCE NOW cloud with no problems. And still there is lag when playing factorio. Does change Factorio settings (graphics, etc) make a difference when playing on local LAN?

And that's what I mean...
WIFI is one of those examples

WIFI is only LAN if you connect DIRECTLY to the other person (same household or perhaps your neighbour depending on the strength of the signla transmitter/receiver) otherwise it's not LAN xD

Try connecting via IP instead; you might actually get a better connection

[willygc]

We connected via IP (through Factorio main menu). It works and is playable but still lagging. On top of that the game takes 3-4 minutes "downloading map" before accesing the local LAN game. is this expected?

[Overeagerdragon]

Originally posted by willygc:

We connected via IP (through Factorio main menu). It works and is playable but still lagging. On top of that the game takes 3-4 minutes "downloading map" before accesing the local LAN game. is this expected?

The time it takes depends on the size of the base you guys are building... bigger base = bigger size of savegame = takes longer. If you guys are just starting and it already takes a couple of minutes this is another indication of someone having a bad connection.

[knighttemplar1960]

To add a bit to that. The player downloading the map has to catch up to the host. You can decrease the catch up time by pausing the game while the other player connects.

[willygc]

Originally posted by knighttemplar1960:

To add a bit to that. The player downloading the map has to catch up to the host. You can decrease the catch up time by pausing the game while the other player connects.

Good to know!