Attempting MP over LAN..Need help!

[Sally]

I recently bought PTW and can't get the MP to work at all. It is very frustrating. Can some one help me, please?

Here's the set-up. Two networked computers, two copies of Civ3, two copies of PTW (and a bunch of $$ spent to not be able to play ), both computers running Windows XP. Both Civ3 and PTW have been patched with the most recent patches. We can't IP connect, can't LAN connect, can't gamespy connect.

We've already checked out the sticky threads here about firewalls, etc, and still are having no luck. I'm not a very happy customer at this point.

 

[bladester]

This might sound dumb but have you patched to the latest version (1.21f for US, 1.14f for euro) and make sure both copies are same version.

And also are you able to see each other in the lobby? And have you selected local as opposed to internet in the left hand side of the lobby?

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Sally]

Yes, both games are patched to v1.21f...same versions...patched at the same time, actually.

And, yep, we see each other in the lobby. The joiner does not arrive at the second screen. The "trying to connect" screen with the 120 countdown starts, and then bombs out at 64. This happens the same way for both of us; it doesn't matter which one is trying to host. The local is rather odd, in that we do not see each other at all. We do have a firewall, but all the ports are set open.

Another odd thing about all this is that we have NO trouble connecting with any other game. Neverwinter Nights works flawlessly, both through GameSpy, and direct connect, and with either of us hosting.

We have spent two full days trying everything we can think of...usually more than once. I don't think this should be this hard...

 

[bladester]

Have you been able to join another civ3 game created on gamespy or through the in built brower?

It could be that your firewall is blocked from hosting games. In my firewall I have to allow my games to act as a server so that I can host games. If you can join other peoples games then chances are you need to set your firewall to allow PTW to act as a server.

Edit: another check: did u open the ports specified in the readme file and the above sticky thread both inbound and outbound?