MP crashing + hosting issues

[sooofunky]

Hello

So far I had no crashing problems playing Civ4 multiplayer (direct ip, Gamespy). But since my friend used other map settings it crashes (to desktop) all the time without an error message. Most of the times it's my game that crashes, but it happend to my friend as well - doesn't matter who's hosting. Sometimes it crashes after 20min, sometimes after only 2min. I've reinstalled the game, but without success.

Other problem:

Two friends are on one LAN (behind a router) and another friend and me are on 2 other LANs. It is not possible for us to get into the same game using Gamespy or direct ip. Three people is the maximum (working: 2 on 1. LAN together with other friend; someone from 1. LAN together with friend and me). Sometimes only one person can join, sometimes none - it seems so random. Any ideas? Is it a bug? Do we need to wait for (Civ4) Conquests (including various patches) again until MP works?

Thanks!

System specs (4 systems):
Cpu: >= A64 3200+ or Pentium M 1.7
Ram: all 1Gb
graphics: X800 pro/xl or Nvidia 6400
internet: 2-3Mbit

Edit: We use 4 legal copies (each 50 euros - great game, annoying problems)

 

[sooofunky]

Yesterday it didn't crash...strange.

But why can't my friends and me not play together? It's really frustrating. Yesterday we got the message: can't verify/identify (or something similar, playing German version) the user when trying to connect. Then the messages stopped. At first it was possible for two to join, then only one other was able. As said it's so random, and it seems the more we try the less we can connect. Is Gamespy blocking us? Does it think we've got illegal copies?

We've got no problems with Empire Earth2, Warhammer 2k, Battlefield 2 or Counterstrike.

Thanks!

 

[sooofunky]

Just got a reply from Take2, saying I should return the game and get a new copy. Now that's interesting, are there different versions on the market (don't think so)? I wonder if the shop is going to exchange my copy.

 

[mrgenie]

if you live in europe-mainland you have zero chance to bring your copy back. no store in europe that i know of obeys costumer rights when it comes to software. you have 100% perfect support on anything in germany but even there not on the software. software is like russian roulette it's not buy&try but it's more like Bay&Pray

and it's 100% not the copy game, i have a legal game, and some friends of mine copied games..no problems on connecting and playing!