Multiplayer in Arvoch Alliance SE
Multiplayer in Arvoch Alliance SE is initialized and managed in-game, rather than externally. This is due to the event driven gameplay structure and player (host) controlled parameter selection. So no server programs are needed or used as with the Evochron series. The host is part of the game and selects the campaign mission, battle mode, environment, time/kill limit, and/or the AI ships involved in the combat scenario. They also control when the mission/battle starts and when it ends. As a result, multiplayer is entirely 'on demand' and the host controls the various stages and conditions of gameplay in real time.
The process is pretty simple. The host starts the game, selects multiplayer, clicks on 'Connect' to link to their local network device, selects the hosting mode, then loads into the main lobby screen. Once the host is in the lobby screen, other players can join. The host can select parameters at any time while in the lobby. For team-vs-team modes, the host can assign players to teams or each player can select the team they want on their own. Once the campaign mission or battle parameters and other desired settings have been selected, the host can click on 'Launch' to start. All players will then enter the game. Players will then exit back to the lobby once the campaign mission is complete, selected battle limit(s) achieved, or host exits.
At the time of this writing and for those playing the game through Steam, the game offers a public listing system through the Steam matchmaking lobby system that can help make the process of connecting to other players over the internet easier. The host can click on 'CONNECT' in the multiplayer menu, then check the 'List Game Publicly (Host)' option before clicking on 'HOST' to list their session publicly if they can connect to the Steam listing system and if it is available. Players interested in connecting to a hosted session can click on the 'Public Multiplayer Games' option to view a list of available sessions to join. If there is a connection problem for any reason or Steam's service is not available, connecting via direct IP may be required. Connecting through Steam also adds another relay point in the network connection between players and Steam's networking system, so performance may be more limited and connecting via direct IP may provide added performance for some connection types, locations, and number of players. The Steam system may not always be available and/or accessible to all locations through all connection types and is not available to players who've purchased the direct download version, so Direct IP is also available for direct connections over the internet which will be reviewed next.
For internet multiplayer with the direct IP connection mode, a host may need to open/forward a required port if they are using a router/NAT since they control the session through their connection. Joining players won't generally need to forward or open any ports, only the host needs to if they are hosting over the internet in order to allow other players to connect to their session. Hosting other players over a LAN won't generally require port forwarding either and is the optimal connection method to maximize network performance for more players and faster data exchange. If you are using a router as host with the direct IP connection mode, the needed port is 28888 UDP.
Here are some additional details and information:
- If you play Arvoch Alliance on a LAN with other players connecting wirelessly, it's best to have the host connect to the router directly via ethernet rather than wireless for maximum performance and stability.
- Have the player with the most powerful system and highest performing internet/network connection host the game.
- For more information, instructions are available here: https://www.starwraith.com/arvochallian ... readme.htm