Hi all,
I've had this game since the beginning (no pun intended). I also have the original "Undiscovered Worlds" expansion disc.
When this game was new, EA had a website you needed to go to which had a multiplayer "lobby" to join games. EA abandoned this as they do many things so multiplayer was lost.
For as long as I can remember, the multiplayer has not worked.
I (and many others) had to resort to fan made programs (Populous Matchmaker for instance provided by popre.net ).

Does anyone know if multiplayer has been fixed in this release?
Does it only utilize IP/TCP multiplayer still? Has anyone gotten multiplayer to work without using fan made tools?

Bullfrog used to have a simple java vm based matchmaking service on their website, but they took that down in 2004, so everyone now uses the matchmaker on popre.net

The in game multiplayer does work, BUT not with NATs. To play over the internet when on a LAN, you'll need the 1.03 patch (also on PopRe.net) and you have to manually enter the public IP in the command line for the game to work.

Internally, the problem is for what ever reason, when a client connects, the host responds with the current IP of the computer and tells the client to continue communications with that IP. Patch 1.03 overrides that so it tells the client the public IP instead. Port forwarding is also required on 7575 UDP.

The best way is just to use the PopRe matchmaker - that's the easiest place to find other players, and it handles all the IPs automatically if you just want to play with a friend.

Thanks Incawarrior - I know who you are and recognize your expertise in this matter...
(in fact, I think I may have even played against you back in the day on the old EA servers)

I appreciate your response to my question - however, it doesn't really answer my question.

Without relying on 3rd party patches or programs, is the multiplayer functional?
I am very aware that patch 1.03 fixes many issues with populous multiplayer.

I was merely inquiring if this game has had any improvements for its release here on GOG.com. If anything has been fixed for its re-release. If GOG.com (and EA) is relying on patch 1.03 and Populous Matchmaker for muliplayer.
....is GOG.com (and EA) relying on you guys to fix their problems for them.
It is advertised as having multiplayer - one would assume this wouldn't require fan made programs to get it work.

Incawarrior - if GOG.com isn't sending you a check every few months, they should be.

I assumed this re-release would come with updated bug fixes and support. At the time being, it looks like it's getting no support whatsoever (other than fan support - which has always been excellent).
If it DID work, I would consider supporting this fantastic game once again.

I don't actually know what the differences are with the new GoG version - I asked them for details, but have had no replies.

If someone wants to send me popTB.exe or d3dpoptb.exe (without any paches), I could see if they've changed anything. My email is inca@popre.net