Hi all,

I know this is probably simple to some, but I'm very unsure about a lot of things.

My friend and I are mainly interested in playing through the main campaign (and the expansions) cooperatively and I'm wondering how we can do that. We're not in the same city so we can't do LAN and I'm just slightly confused about how to host a room so we can play together. I understand how playing on a persistent world server would work what with connecting to the server using an IP address, but less sure about just hosting a room to play the main campaign. We haven't received our unique keys yet, so perhaps once we do that will answer my questions, but I'm trying to be proactive with this situation.

Thanks!

Whether your computer is hosting a PW or a multiplayer game, it's the same connection process. You'll need to Port Forward or set up a DMZ to host, though.

Hmmm okay, could you possibly elaborate though? My friend and I have gone through all the necessary steps and have replaced the new keys, downloaded the premium modules, and downloaded NWNCX and configured it properly. But yeah we cannot connect to each other's games/IP addresses because we haven't done what you suggested I'm assuming. What does it mean to port forward or set up a DMZ to host? I've looked it up and it makes sense for the most part (setting up the DMZ to host), but I'm still a bit unsure.

The simplest way is to set up a DMZ.

The person hosting will need to assign themselves a static IP (it will look something like 192.168.1.50) and then set the DMZ to that static IP. Then use a site like whatismyip to find your external IP and have your friend connect to that.

I've actually decided to just port forward. I'm at the process of choosing my internal and external ports and I'm unsure what the numbers should be. I have a list of possible ports being 5120-5300, 6500, 6667, 27900, 28900. Should I make my internal and external ports start and end between 5120 and 28900?

Just set all of those ports you listed (they look about right to me). The fewer ports, the better for security reasons. Each router is different, but most will let you set up more than one set of port-forwards.

You may also have luck hosting a LAN game and using TeamViewer (or another VPN client) to establish a VPN. It can often simplify everything.

P.S. I would recommend running the stand-alone server when you play. You will be able to set up an auto-save timer that will help you out. And if you crash out due to a graphics issue or something, the game can keep playing and you can just reconnect. (nwserver.exe in the main NWN folder)

Good luck!

Can you explain what Teamviewer is and what establishing a VPN is? Also what is a stand-alone server?

And when I set my ports (right now I just did 5120-5300), one of those numbers is what I put at the end of my external IP address for my friend to connect to? And does it make sense that an external IP address would have a lot of letters interspersed with the numbers? Like my friend shouldn't be connecting to the static IP address I created, but what my external IP is? And I find that by just using a website that determines it for me.

Thanks!

Teamviewer:

If you and your friend connect to one another using the VPN (Virtual Private Network), then you will create a secure connection over the Internet that will bring you into your own private network; that is, your own LAN. So you can play a LAN game and the connections will be easy. You might not even have to forward ports in your router.

Port Forwarding:
See your router's manual for proper port forwarding documentation.

Your friend's IP address:
There are many IP types, but you're looking for v4. There shouldn't be letters in that one. And it shouldn't start with 192.168.... Just ask google what your IP address is and it'll give it to you. Sometimes it's hard to know what your IP address is behind a network.

Click here to know your IP address via bing.


Conclusion:
It can be hard to get all the right ports forwarded and figure everything out. Even when you think you have it, sometimes something messes you up (firewalls are a big one). In general, setting up a VPN simplifies everything. I strongly recommend it if it's just you two playing.

I recommend TeamViewer's VPN. I've tried Hamachi, but it caused issues with some games. Teamviewer has had a 100% success rate for me.

If Teamviewer isn't an option, then you need to make sure your buddy and yourself have your firewalls with NWN getting a passthrough (it's be on the exceptions list), all your ports need to forwarded (just for the host, though).

How long does it take to get your unique cd-key from GOG to play multiplayer?

For me it took 2 days. However they have slower response at weekends.

Good to know! :)