Isn't this supposed to be something that we should be able to do with no DRM, when you are only playing locally? I'm starting the game on both machines using PA.exe, and I can start the game on one machine, and the other machine sees it in the server browser just fine. However, when the 2nd player joins, he kicks the host out of the game lobby, and takes over as the game host. So, it doesn't seem to like the same player joining. Is there any way around this for just a local LAN game? Does it have to do with the player name, or the license key associated with the install? What I really wanted to do was play my son locally using the same copy of the game. Isn't that what DRM free really means? He's only 8, and so he's not really ready for his own copy yet, but it would be fun just to play test with him for a bit.
So a long long time ago you could play online multiple times in parallel with 1 account. Back then that was possible because ubernet seemed not to do any checks against it. However it required one hack: The server recognizes people by the displayname. So one needed to modify the call to join the server and give it some other name, else the server would go "hey I know you already, let me kick the other you". I guess that is what you are seeing. I've just tested myself and it worked when I logged in to ubernet on one of the PA's, but not the other. It seems that the logged in instance of PA uses my displayname, the other my ubername: So having a displayname set that is != your ubername and being logged in to ubernet on one of the games, but not both, may work. If not you could try to change the displayname in the uberbar of the logged in PA, after the not logged in PA has created the game. The "not logged in" game is kinda missing a way to set a name for the player. That would be nice for lan play.
Awesome! That worked like a charm! Thanks, Cola_Colin! My son will be so happy! Edit: For anyone else wondering about this, on my host machine I had my Local Server set to 'Auto', and just used the Create Local Game option in the Multiplayer server browser. Remember to set the game to Public, and be sure that the other LAN machines have the Mods filter set to 'Any', so they can see your game if you have any server mods enabled. Also, both machines need to be on the same subnet (both connected to your router by wire, or both connected to your router by wireless). If being on the same subnet (connected the same way) is an issue, then download the 'Connect to LAN Server IP' Mod which should allow you to traverse subnets by specifying the IP of the host machine and Port 6543 (I've tested this when connecting a wired system to a wireless system and it works).
Yes, display names need to be different (got stuck on that one myself). Note that the uberlauncher login relay has an issue with Displaynames and that I am not certain how to change the display name without being logged in.
I just played around myself with that. -I startet pa over steam like normal and created a public local game. -went to the pa folder and started pa again with the pa.exe, changed the username to something else and did not log in or type a password - just clicked multiplayer and could join withoud issue
Actually, you can, but it's kind of unintuitive. Type whatever you want in the login field. PA will use that name. (Oh, what neverwere already said... I should read better. )
Cool, that means that you can login with as many players as you like, and aren't just limited to a 2 player LAN game using the same copy of PA. Nice. Thanks, for sharing fellas!
Though remember that it's nice to actually buy multiple copies if you play regularly with more people, even if it is only offline
I actually have purchased multiple copies of the game already, but I gave them away to people who don't actually play it! Doh! Too bad they can't gift them back to me on Steam!!! The next 75% off Steam sale should solve my current cash flow problems though!
