How to Play Online

[Prince_of_Macedon]

I read some disturbing stuff in the other thread I created. There were some of you who wanted to play Rome: Total War online, but couldn't get connected. I had a few problems back in December 2006 when I first tried to get connected to GameSpy (RTW's game server).

Now, I'm far from being a computer expert, but here are some tips I can provide for you:

CHECKING YOUR PATCH VERSION
1) Before you even connect online, make sure you know which version/patch you have. If you navigate through your game menu under "Options," you'll see a number somewhere on your screen such as 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, etc. The most up-to-date patch is version 1.5. If you don't have version 1.5, you'll have to download it from one of the many patch providers. Before getting 1.5, though, you'll have to download 1.3 first (don't ask me why!)

If you have the Total Eras box collection or the RTW Gold Edition, then you already have 1.5.

HAMACHI CONFLICTS
Do you have Hamachi installed? If so, you won't be able to play games on Gamespy. You'll have to un-install Hamachi before you can play on Gamespy. Thank you to Teo for confirming this.

TYPING IN YOUR CD-KEY
2) In reference to Rome: Total War, you can't play this game online until you have manually typed in your CD-Key. The game never asks you for this at any point (not even during installation). So, to get there, find the option under the game menu called "Change CD-Key." DO NOT type in your CD-Key where it says "Enter Player's Name."

Now find your CD-Key (either located on a separate piece of paper or in your instruction booklet), and type in your CD-Key exactly as it appears! Don't confuse "0" with "O." Also, type in the hyphens too between each sequence of numbers/letters.

PICKING A SCREENNAME ON GAMESPY AND LOGGING ON
3) If you know you have the latest version installed, and you've typed in your CD-Key already, then click on "Multiplayer," and hopefully, you see a message:

"You have Successfully logged-on to Gamespy!"

When you pick your name, be aware be aware that someone might already be using that name online. But instead of denying you access to a name like "Julius_Caesar," Gamespy will automatically add some numbers to it like "Julius_Caesar4554," and you will be on your way to playing online. If you can't log-on, then you might want to wait a few minutes, and try again. Sometimes, Gamespy has issues. But if you're still not getting on...

FIREWALL ISSUES?
4) If you can't get connected yet, then it might be your Firewall. If that's the case, then scroll down and read msTubbZ's technical answer to your problem.

ROUTER ISSUES?
5) If you can't even get connected or if you're constantly getting kicked off Gamespy (before you can even join a game), then it might be your Router giving you a hard time. I bypassed this problem by disconnecting from my Router; then I simply re-connect directly through my modem. If that doesn't help, then scroll down and read msTubbZ's technical answer to your problem.

OPTIMIZING YOUR COMPUTER FOR ONLINE GAMING
6) If you have a crappy computer, you might want to turn your graphic detail down. That'll make your online battles run smoother.

NAVIGATING ON MULTIPLAYER
7) There are 3 Rooms in GameSpy. The Friendly Chat is where you'll find most players. Nowadays, the Chat Lobby is filled with "Napoleonic" (mod) players.

HOSTING A GAME OR WAITING FOR A GAME
8) If you make a game, keep in mind that it takes a moment for it appear to other players. And if you're waiting for a friend's game, you should constantly hit the "Refresh" buttom to see if the game appears.

CHATTING ONLINE
9) To chat during a game, hit "T" to activate your chat box. Then type in your message, and hit "ENTER."


Got any Questions? Playing online will add entirely new dimensions to this game for you if you haven't already tried it. I never play Single Player because Online is WAY TOO FUN!

Alas, don't forget to read msTubbZ technical guide to getting Multi-player Set up:

msTubbZ's Rome: Total War Multi-player Set up

If you are having difficulties connecting to games in Rome Total War then it is down to a few issues, I have written down a fail safe way to fix them...

Version of the game. The current version for:

* Rome: total war is 1.5
* Barbarian invasion 1.6
* Alexander 1.9

So Update and try the game

* Router. The most likely of problems will be your router. If you have one of these then you should visit the site: www.portforward.com and:
* Setting Static IP. Goto Guides > Configuring a static IP > Select Your Operating System and follow the instructions. If you find that its a difficult guide to follow I would advice you to read it through once before attempting it to help in understanding what you got to do.
* Port Forwarding. Now once you have set a static IP you will have to forward the ports, go back to the guides link. Now select Port Forwarding Guide By Router > Your Router Model > Rome: Total War and follow the guide, again at first it may appear to be a little intimating so read through it first to get the general idea of the task.

Once you have done this boot the game and see if it worked. If it didn't then check you have done all asked correctly and try again.

* Firewall. If you are using any kind of firewall make sure that it is on your exceptions list. Chances are it popped up and asked if you wanted to allow it. If not then open up the firewall software and allow it this varies from software to software, chances are it is allowed already. NOTE that disabling most firewalls doesn't do that much due to the software making registry entries in blocked/allowed programs and ports.


Hope this helped... If not feel free to PM me with any questions...


TubbZ...

now i think that should be posted and stickied...

+ rep to msTubbZ for his splendid technical help (found in the above quote)

Also, if you wish to be a spectator in an online battle, check out my guide on "How To Be An Online Observer":

Unlike Starcraft, there is no real Observer mode in Rome: Total War. So, it's slightly less-convenient for an extra person to watch a game LIVE when he/she is not a participant. That said, you can still observe a game if you follow a few steps. Here are a few directives to know if you wish to observe a game:

01. PERMISSION FOR AN EXTRA SLOT
Ask if it's okay for you to observe a game. It's easier to observe a game between 2 online players if you know them. If you get permission, then the Host can re-make the game with an extra slot (reserved for you). Also keep in mind that, during a tournament, a person might not want you watching if it could jeopardize their "military secrets" to you, a potential opponent in the tournament.

02. IF YOUR CONNECTION IS SLOW, DO NOT OBSERVE
If your computer connection is slow (and you know this), do not observe a game because you'll only slow their game down.

03. DON'T AFFECT THE MAP BALANCE
If the map is completely equal when divided (i.e. the Syrian Flats, Grassy Flatlands, etc), then it shouldn't be an issue if you tag-along. But if the map is uneven (i.e. the Macedonian Ruins), then your very presence could seriously destroy the balance of the participants' starting positions.

04. PICK A FACTION THAT NO ONE WILL USE
The observer should pick a faction that nobody is going to use. You don't want to observe a game with Carthage if one of the players wants to use them.

05. THE OBSERVER(S) SHOULD NOT BE ON THE SAME TEAM AS ANY OF THE COMBATANTS
The observer should change his Team Number so that he's on a team by himself. If the observer is on the same team as one of the players, then that unfortunate player will have less money to spend.

06. THE OBSERVERS ARMY SHALL CONSIST OF 1 PEASANT
Whenever the observer picks his faction, his army should consist of only 1 Peasant.

07. POSITION YOUR ARMY NEXT TO THE EMERGENCY EXIT
During deployment, the observer should deploy his Peasant near the edge of the map (ready to exit). And then, once the battle starts, the observer should "surrender"" so that his 1 Peasant unit leaves the battlefield immediately (unable to get in the way of the other players' units).

08. FRIENDLY REMINDER TO THE PLAYERS (DURING DEPLOYMENT)
Be courteous and remind your opponents before a battle not to deploy facing your deployment line. It's kind of annoying when an actual participant deploys facing the direction of the observer. If such a mistake happens, then that player will have to waste time re-facing his army.

09. SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Do not chat during a battle to the players. If there is another observer with you, then you (the observers) should send messages directly to each other if you want to chat (and not to the players who are concentrating).

10. THE OBSERVER VERSUS THE TACTICAL ADVISOR
Remember, you're there as an observer: not as a tactical advisor(!). Don't give advice to the participant(s) before or during a game. It's so freaking annoying when the observer starts giving advice about how to fight a particular matchup or player or map or whatever. The only "advice" you should give is the friendly reminder not to deploy facing your battle-line.

11. WHEN TO SAY "GG"
Yes, even the observer should say "gg." But "gg" should only be said AFTER the game. Do NOT say "gg" if a player is simply winning at the moment or if you think a particular player is going to win. It's considered poor-manners to announce a victory unless a player has admitted defeat or until the announcer says the game is over (or if you see the results screen).

[Roshak]

You can also check out the guide in my sig for hopeful things as well.

[_TubbZ_]

Rome: Total War Multi-player Set up

If you are having difficulties connecting to games in Rome Total War then it is down to a few issues, I have written down a fail safe way to fix them...

Version of the game. The current version for:

* Rome: total war is 1.5
* Barbarian invasion 1.6
* Alexander 1.9

So Update and try the game

* Router. The most likely of problems will be your router. If you have one of these then you should visit the site: www.portforward.com and:
* Setting Static IP. Goto Guides > Configuring a static IP > Select Your Operating System and follow the instructions. If you find that its a difficult guide to follow I would advice you to read it through once before attempting it to help in understanding what you got to do.
* Port Forwarding. Now once you have set a static IP you will have to forward the ports, go back to the guides link. Now select Port Forwarding Guide By Router > Your Router Model > Rome: Total War and follow the guide, again at first it may appear to be a little intimating so read through it first to get the general idea of the task.

Once you have done this boot the game and see if it worked. If it didn't then check you have done all asked correctly and try again.

* Firewall. If you are using any kind of firewall make sure that it is on your exceptions list. Chances are it popped up and asked if you wanted to allow it. If not then open up the firewall software and allow it this varies from software to software, chances are it is allowed already. NOTE that disabling most firewalls doesn't do that much due to the software making registry entries in blocked/allowed programs and ports.


Hope this helped... If not feel free to PM me with any questions...


TubbZ...

now i think that should be posted and stickied...

[HeroSK]

Hi..

I cannot connect online battles. It gives "Failed to connect (GS)" error.

I did some research and some players says "wait, try again later". However I did it many many times but it keeps giving same error.

Thanks in advance.

[LeonidasOfSparta]

changing cd key


enabling ports on router

[HeroSK]

[QUOTE=LeonidasOfSparta;2358482]changing cd key


enabling ports on router [/QUTE]

I live in dormitory and university provides internet connection.
How can enable ports on router?

[LeonidasOfSparta]

lmao then ur screwed dont know really m8

[Domitius]

Have you typed in your cd-key in change cd-key? This is something you have to do the first time you try to connect to internet.

[HeroSK]

Let me make the stiation clear to you..

First, I changed the CD-Key from multiplayer menu.
Second, I am able to enter Lobby and can see and send messages, in the lobby.

When I try to enter a game displayed there, I click it.

But, The message come out "Failed to connect (GS)".

Please share any info you know,

Thanks in advance

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Just curious - you did read my reply to you in the Multiplayer Guide thread, yes?

If so:
1) make sure you're using Rome: Total War (version 1.5). If you don't have 1.5, you won't be able to connect to a majority of the games. So, make sure you download 1.5 (you'll have to get 1.3 beforehand if you have a very old version)

2) if you do have 1.5 (R:TW), then make sure your Firewall isn't interfering with your connection. Before, I could never join a game because of my Firewall settings. Basically, I turn off my Firewall whenever I play online. But remember to re-enable your Firewall afterwards.

[HeroSK]

Just curious - you did read my reply to you in the Multiplayer Guide thread, yes?

If so:
1) make sure you're using Rome: Total War (version 1.5). If you don't have 1.5, you won't be able to connect to a majority of the games. So, make sure you download 1.5 (you'll have to get 1.3 beforehand if you have a very old version)

2) if you do have 1.5 (R:TW), then make sure your Firewall isn't interfering with your connection. Before, I could never join a game because of my Firewall settings. Basically, I turn off my Firewall whenever I play online. But remember to re-enable your Firewall afterwards.

Yes, I read it.

I have Gold edition actually, and it is patched to 1.5 and Barbarian 1.6, I dont think it is related with patches.

I read somewhere, before entering game I must disable firewall and in the game I open it up again. Is it right ?

[Frankish warchief]

Let me make the stiation clear to you..

First, I changed the CD-Key from multiplayer menu.
Second, I am able to enter Lobby and can see and send messages, in the lobby.

When I try to enter a game displayed there, I click it.

But, The message come out "Failed to connect (GS)".

Please share any info you know,

Thanks in advance

I have the EXACT same problem, if you find any answers do you think you could tell me? if i find anything ill tell you to,

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Are you able to chat with everyone though?

Also, do you have a slow internet connection?

And have you ever modded your game or any of its files?

[HeroSK]

Are you able to chat with everyone though?

Also, do you have a slow internet connection?

And have you ever modded your game or any of its files?

Yes I can able to talk other players,

The conection speed is approximately about 70Kb I dont know if it is slow.

I did NOT mod any thing, I can play over LAN with other players having 1.5 version.

[Prince_of_Macedon]

Yes I can able to talk other players,

The conection speed is approximately about 70Kb I dont know if it is slow.

I did NOT mod any thing, I can play over LAN with other players having 1.5 version.

Try connecting online and asking the players if anyone has had a similar problem. Then find out their solution.

I'm not sure why you're unable to play games. I hope someone here can help.

[HeroSK]

Try connecting online and asking the players if anyone has had a similar problem. Then find out their solution.

I'm not sure why you're unable to play games. I hope someone here can help.

I actually tried it already.

A player said he had a friend having same problem and mentioned about a switch between internet connection and LAN. But, unfortunately he dont know the exact solution...

Thanks anyway

[LeonidasOfSparta]

i dunno how to help ya mabbe router issues but good luck

[Prince_of_Macedon]

I truly sympathize with you. Of all the online games I play, this one has the most connection issues by far. But once you get connected (to a game), you'll be in paradise. So, keep trying, and you'll be battling with us soon (hopefully)!

[gargarensi]

You're lucky you can even log into the multiplayer lobby, I can't even log on. Ah, there was once a time when I was able to play online, That was two years ago!

[HeroSK]

You're lucky you can even log into the multiplayer lobby, I can't even log on. Ah, there was once a time when I was able to play online, That was two years ago!

I am sorry but entering lobby is meaningless when you cannot play...

I am only able to speak other players...