Sorry for my english...

I can't host private games for my friends through NWN2 client because server is hosted on IP 127.0.0.1.

Some time ago I have found solution to this problem which involved:

1. Creating text file - with a name I don't remember.
2. In this text file I had to enter command line that forced the game to host server on specified IP - I don't remember what should I write there.
3. Save the file and change its extension to... - I don't remember what.
4. Put this file in game folder - I don't remember what folder but I suppose it was somewhere in My Documents.

This solution worked for me earlier but I can't find it again on the internet. This was very simple solution that allowed direct connections between clients. I would like to use it again because I don't want to use any third-party programs.

Is there anyone that knows this and could help?

Provided that the other clients are not on your local network, your firewall / NAT gateway needs to allow udp:5121 through to whatever machine is hosting the game. Then your friends can use direct connect to your external / public IP address (whatismyip.com) on port 5121, e.g. 0.0.0.0:5121 if 0.0.0.0 was your public IP.

Obligatory plug that if you used the NWN2 Client Extension ( http://ce-update.mst.valhallalegends.com/CE/Vault ), and you ticked 'Post Game to Internet' when creating the game from the game client, your game will show up in the server browser list for other players using the CE provided that you configured your firewall properly.

@DeMignon
No, this isn't the same thing. Your solution is only for bypassing auth and not the auth itself is a problem. If I host a game, it is hosted on IP 127.0.0.1 and not on my external or virtual LAN IP's, due to that players cannot join my server.

Start a LAN multiplayer session in-game by going to Multiplayer, creating a new game, and then the other players should be able to select the game from the LAN server list (if all necessary ports are opened).

If your game isn't visible, it's likely a port issue/firewall issue or you're running the game in a virtual machine and its network isn't set up properly to join the actual local area network.

According to the tutorial, ports that need to be opened for the server to work are:
- Ports 5120 through 5300 (Depends on how many players will play on your server. One port per player.)
- Port 6500
- Port 27900
- Port 28900

Just to clarify, GOG provides only keys for NWN1 through the support, you can get your unique keys for NWN2 on your game page, it's right below the download files.

Further, if you're into multiplayer, check the Client Extension Mod as it fixes and adds some features.

Have u been able to find a solution? I am running into exactly the same problem. game hosted on 127.0.0.1, meaning that it is impossible to find for other computers....

I am also running into the same problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I had the same issue today when I tried to set up a LAN Multiplayer game for me and my girlfriend (Note: she runs the game on Linux Mint 19.3 with wine/playonlinux, I run it on Windows 10)

I could solve it in the following way:

Preparation:

# Connect both (all) to the same LOCAL network
* we are both connected with the same modem/router
- I am connected with ethernet cable
- She is connected with WiFi
* if you want to do it via internet you probably need Hamachi or something similar

# Check your firewall settings:
* On my Win10 Laptop, I had to go to:
> Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defnder Firewall > Advanced Settings > Inbound rules :
>> Enable the rule "File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In)" for private networks (see profile column)
>> Enable all Neverwinter Nights rules

# Make sure your active network is set as private, check status at:
> Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing center

# Find the IP of the host:
* open "Command Prompt" on the (future) host laptop
* enter the command "ipconfig"
* there you will see the local IPv4 adress, in my case 10.0.0.10


Set up in-game server an join with direct connect:

# Start game on all machines

# Go to Multiplayer

# Host-machine either starts new game or loads existing
* you don't need to tick "Post Game To Internet"
* note the server port, the default value is 5121

# Once the host player clicks "Start Campaign" (new game) or "Load" (save game) the server is available
* although it is shown as 127.0.0.1:5121 for the host, others can join via the host's IPv4 address

# All other players click "Direct Connect" and
* enter IPv4-address:port , in my example it would be 10.0.0.10:5121
* enter player password
* click "OK"

That's it, you should all be able to connect to the game. Hope it works for you.

PS:
you can also start a server with the file C:\GOG Games\NWN2 Complete\nwn2server, this server will automatically use IPv4:port (e.g. 10.0.0.10:5121). However, in order to save you always need to change to the server window.