Using LogMeIn Hamachi to play Artemis over the internet

"Port forwarding is the 11th level of Hell." - Sir Darin

Do you hate port forwarding, but do you want to play Artemis over the internet with your friends? Try Hamachi instead! It's much, much simpler.

What is LogMeIn Hamachi?

LogMeIn Hamachi is a Virtual Private Network application which emulates a LAN network, which is what Thom Robertson wanted people to use when he designed Artemis.

Anyone can join a Hamachi network if they have installed Hamachi and know the network ID and its password. Note that only up to five people can join a single network for free.

How to download and install LogMeIn Hamachi

Getting LogMeIn Hamachi up and running took me and my friend approximately 5 minutes.

I did not make this video. JMProductionists did.
This video explains it very well, but if you don't want to watch the entire thing, here is the short version:

• Open this link: https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/download.aspx
  
• Check the 'Conditions of Use' box before downloading the unmanaged mode. The file should be called hamachi.msi. It's safe, I didn't get a virus from it.
  
• Doubleclick the file once it has finished downloading to start the Hamachi setup. Always click the next button, and agree to the terms and conditions of use, then give the setup permission to install the program. Wait for it to finish.
  
• Once it is complete, check the 'Launch Hamachi' box before clicking on 'Finish' to start the program.
  
• Hamachi will open. Click the blue 'Power' button.
  
• You get to name your Hamachi client. This is how other people will identify you if you're part of the same network. Click on 'Create' once you're done, and wait for Hamachi to probe and synchronize. It shouldn't take too long.
  
• You're done with this part!

How to create a Hamachi network

Only one member of your Artemis group has to do this! The rest of you can skip this step, although you obviously have to wait for the network to be made before you can join it.

If you're not part of any Hamachi networks yet, you can simply click on the upper blue button which says 'Create a new network' which appeared when Hamachi finished synchronizing.

If you have already been using Hamachi for other games, you can create a new network like this:

• First, click on 'Network'.
  
• Click on 'Create new network'.
  
• Name your network ID and come up with an easy to memorize password. Don't forget to confirm it.
  
• That's all. It's time to tell your friends the ID and password!

How to join a Hamachi network

You need LogMeIn Hamachi to be able to join a Hamachi network. If you haven't installed it already, go do it now, please - just scroll up.

• Click on 'Network'.
  
• Click on 'Join an existing network'.
  
• Get the ID and password from the creator of the network. Bribery, blackmail, threats or a simple please, everything goes as long as you get them!
  
• Enter the ID and password you may have gotten through possibly dubious means. Make sure you didn't make any typos. Click 'Join'.
  
• You should be connected to the network, which means you're done with this step.

Joining an Artemis server

To proceed, every player has to be connected to the new Hamachi network, or this won't work. You're almost done!

• It's time to host the Artemis server. Only one of you has to do this. You can use a spare laptop or PC to host the game, but I've been able to host and play on the same machine without any lag (my laptop has a 2.3 GHz dual-core processor, 4 GB RAM, and my internet speed is alright, if you want to compare). Ultimately, the choice is up to you. To play and host at the same time, you need to start Artemis in windowed mode, twice - the second time from your Steam folder. (C:/Program Files (xNumbers) /Steam/SteamApps/common/Artemis, then click on the .exe)
  
• Either way, you should host the server. Click on 'Start Server' to do that.
  
• Instead of giving the players the IP address which appears in the game window, you should give them the Hamachi IPv4 address of the PC or laptop the server is being hosted on. Take a look at this screenshot to locate it.
• The players should start Artemis, then click on 'Start Client' and type in the Hamachi IPv4 address they got from the person hosting the Artemis server.
  
• That's all! Congratulations! You should be able to play now. Have fun!
  
  Tip: We use Skype group calls for in-game communication.
  

[AceRimmar]

used Hamachi before when Playing the older MTG online program (before the MTG Online program from Wizards came about) to play MTG with other players and the only way to get the program to work online was through Hamachi because it made connecting directly to someone elses IP simplier (there where no servers for the program and you needed to connect directly through IP)

[Krahazik]

@Wraith, Anothe rpoint, not all Routers have a webpage that is simple or strait forward. Some routers can make port forwarding a complicated headake.

[Maffyu]

Fair point :)

[Miejoe]

Sometimes ISPs don't allow you to port forward. This is a workaround if port forwarding doesn't work for whatever reason. =)

[Maffyu]

This is surely more complicated than logging in to a routers webpage and adding a single port forward rule? I can do a port forward in 30 seconds, this requires extra software installation and look like it would take a lot longer..