Ive been attempting too join some multiplayer games but either theres no games or no ones playing, is this just because time of day or what? Was really hoping too go up against some people specially after just getting back into the game after so long

We could try to have a vanilla game event at some point.
Some of the groups like giantswd.org should still be playing, think they require use of the mods.

I wouldn't recommend playing vanilla 1.0 - it's buggy beyond belief, to say the least. Random CTDs, disconnects, and a great deal more plague multiplayer games in it. The last official patch (1.4) is better, but still has a number of nagging issues.

The only thing required for most online games is use of the unofficial patches (current version is 1.497), which do a great deal to improve the game's overall stability and playability. A change log can be found at http://www.giantswd.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1962

Good multiplayer games are a little rarer than they once were due to the game's age, however we still get good games going rather regularly.

Would never play a 1.0 game when official patches are out... unless it was single player to have fun with some sort of glitch.