Playing Civ IV BTS Multiplayer between Steam and Retail Version

[Wizardgreatar]

Hey all,

I notice that about a month ago, Steam transferred several games, including Civilization IV Beyond the Sword, off of Gamespy and on to their own servers. They also removed support for Direct IP connections and Pitboss. Many of my friends (including my brother) do not own the steam version of Civilization IV, and are unlikely to buy it any time soon.

I have tried several methods of connection, including Gameranger, to no avail. Has anyone figured out a solution? Am I doomed to play with only one or two of my friends until the rest are willing to spend 30$ on the Steam version?

Thanks in advance!

[Forcen]

Looks like they have solution for you, two in fact.

http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/201967707-2K-Online-Server-Migration-from-GameSpy-Technology

If you own the game on Steam you can download the old version of the game with broken gamespy but functioning direct IP stuff. The link explains how.
http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/202544073-Direct-IP-and-Installing-Pre-Steamworks-Civilization-IV-Unsupported-on-Steam

Or if you own the retail version and want the new version you can request a patch from their support site, I'm guessing they actually just give you a Steam key if you show you really own it.

So tell your friend to try contacting 2k support for that patch or Steamkey thing. And while you wait download the old unsupported version via the beta thing in Steam.

I found all this out on PCgamingWiki, they are pretty good showing how to play old games like this and other stuff, check them out: http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Civilization_IV

[Wizardgreatar]

Forcen,

Thank you very much! I can't believe I spent nearly an hour scouring the internet and found none of that stuff... I guess I'm just terrible at searching for solutions. For a bit, we were genuinely frightened of being unable to play MP with each other at all on the new steam version.

Thanks again!

[TirithRR]

Instead of paying 29.99 for it, wait for it to go on sale. Lowest price historically is $7.49. Lowest price currently is 21.99.

Was just 7.50 a week ago on Amazon for a short time, and 7.50 on Steam 6 days ago.

[Wizardgreatar]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von TirithRR:

Instead of paying 29.99 for it, wait for it to go on sale. Lowest price historically is $7.49. Lowest price currently is 21.99.

Was just 7.50 a week ago on Amazon for a short time, and 7.50 on Steam 6 days ago.

I know! I tried to convince several of my friends to get it for such a low price, but being extremely lazy and content with their disk versions, only 1 actually bought the Steam edition.... (:D)

Humble Bundle (http://humblebundle.com/) offered a plethora of Sid Meier games, including Civ IV, for ridiculously low prices (or, in most of the games' cases, pay-what-you-want) awhile ago. I still can't believe most of my friends didn't jump on that -.-.

Thanks for the heads-up!

[Forcen]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Wizardgreatar:

Forcen,

Thank you very much! I can't believe I spent nearly an hour scouring the internet and found none of that stuff... I guess I'm just terrible at searching for solutions. For a bit, we were genuinely frightened of being unable to play MP with each other at all on the new steam version.

Thanks again!

http://pcgamingwiki.com is damn good for questions like this one, also you can add stuff that isn't on the site to help other people.

[Wizardgreatar]

Out of curiosity, if Gamespy officially shut down May 31st, how come people with the original copy of Civ IV can still play internet multiplayer?

[TirithRR]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Wizardgreatar:

Out of curiosity, if Gamespy officially shut down May 31st, how come people with the original copy of Civ IV can still play internet multiplayer?

I think there are alternative methods, outside of Gamespy. I don't know them, and am not sure if we are free to talk to talk of them on Steam without fear of being banned.