Multiplayer via gameranger??

[BruceWayne]

Hello,
I am relatively new to the civ franchise on macs and I am wondering what options I have to play civ IV multiplayer other than play by email or hotseat. I have tried gameranger but there has never been a single civ player on the site (I have looked often), and I am reluctant to set up a host game and wait if no one plays civ IV via gameranger. Is there another gaming service (like gamespy for pc) that will match up civ players? Am I out of the loop and missing out on some incredible mac Civ online oasis that everyone else knows about? Any ideas would be great, thanks!

 

[AlanH]

Hi, Welcome

I think GameRanger is the best bet, though you're only going to find Mac players there, of course. I'm not sure whether it's possible to find games using Gamespy. You won't be able to join them from there, as the Mac version doesn't include the Gamespy engine, but if you can find a game you may be able to get the IP address for the host and use Direct IP to join it.

I've also looked at GameRanger occassionally to see if there's any activity, and I once got lucky and was able to run a few test turns with someone. But, as you say, the chances seem to be very slim. Would it be a good idea to run a "GameRanger Rendezvous" thread here? Anyone wanting to play on GameRanger in the next few days could post suggesting one or two time windows, and then others could respond to say they are interested, or to suggest alternative times.

 

[BruceWayne]

Thanks for the quick reply AlanH, I think a gameranger thread is an excellent idea, or even an e-mail list for those interested in multiplayer games?

 

[AlanH]

I've set up a sticky thread here.

Let's see if anyone's interested.

 

[dojoboy]

I've set up a sticky thread here.

Let's see if anyone's interested.

Maybe for PBEM as well?

 

[AlanH]

Isn't there already a PBEM meeting forum? It presumably doesn't need to be Mac-specific.

 

[Welnic]

There is already some PBEM threads in the multiplayer forum, but since that has been around for some time it is a little intimidating. You do see some threads where people new to whole thing are asking how to get started, and everyone is friendly and helpful. But I think it would work well to have one in here since there are so many of us that have just started, and none of us have Warlords yet either. And of course you wouldn't have to have a Mac to join an email game in here. I do think that if a PBEM game got started the maintenance thread should be over there with the rest of them.

 

[AlanH]

OK, I can set up a thread. I suspect the take-up will be low, however, as you won't see many PC players here. Someone tried to get one going at Inside Mac Games, and I don't think it looks very active.

Why not start a new thread of your own in the general PBEM forum, specifically targetting vanilla Civ4 players who are new to PBEM? We could then cross reference that thread from one here.

 

[XxtraLarGe]

Gameranger does not support Civ IV. I have posted a message for PBEM games, and I believe Dojoboy is up for them as well.

 

[JoAT]

Gameranger does not support Civ IV.

Scott, who runs gameranger, begs to differ.

 

[AlanH]

Scott, who runs gameranger, begs to differ.

Me too! I've played a few dozen turns of a test game of Civ4 on GameRanger.

I've also looked at GameRanger occassionally to see if there's any activity, and I once got lucky and was able to run a few test turns with someone.

 

[XxtraLarGe]

Scott, who runs gameranger, begs to differ.

Whoops! I stand corrected. I don't have the update, and Civ IV isn't listed on Gameranger's supported game list on their web site.

 

[AlanH]

Maybe that's why there are never any games running

 

[gidds]

Maybe that's why there are never any games running

AlanH....Every time I am trying to install the Gameranger thingy it refuses to install by telling me a volume is locked...its driving me bunkers man...whaz that all bout?

Its solved