Multiplayer cannot connect directly.

[Scotters1]

So I just tested a multiplayer game, using two different gaming computers, both in my room, and both on the same fast Comcast internet network.

First, the game said it could not achieve a direct connection, I have no idea why? I approved everything through my antivirus, so there was no firewall block.

I did connect indirectly, and everything worked but it took forever to receive data, and at first, when fighting a battle, there was always a delay for the 2nd computer to move its units in the setup screen.

So how do I achieve a faster direct connection?

Extra info, just in case
I purchased the games on steam, using two different steam accounts. I did the same with steel division 2, which works flawlessly in multiplayer, so I think the issue must be with the game itself.

[PipFromSlitherine]

Are the machines both hardwired, or are they on wifi?

Cheers

Pip

[Scotters1]

Pip, thank you for reaching out, because I have no idea what I am doing here. I never had two gaming computers before where I could try this!

Both machines are plugged into the modem/router by wire. They are both connected to my network. One computer uses windows 11, one uses windows 10. I use Comcast XFinity for my internet/network.

I am using two different steam accounts, one for each computer. I bought the game for each account, but every time I try to connect, I get the following error: "Close Combat, Panthers in the Fog" was unable to establish a direct connection between you and your opponent. You are connected via the lobby system....etc."

It goes on to say, "To establish a direct connection, the hosting player must configure their router and/or firewall to allow incoming connections to the game port. Consult your router documentation for further information.

Game port: 1944."

Ok, so Comcast did not give me any documentation with my router, and I have no idea where to look to find out how to do this. Trust me, you don't want to call Comcast for technical support, it takes forever to get to a human being, and it is absolutely horrible.

Could you send me a link, or some links to information on how I can do what I need to do. I am out of my depth here. My buddies and I use to take turns playing Close Combat games in my room at my parents house years and years ago. None of those guys have their own gaming computer, and while it will be fun to actually play against them when they come over, none of those guys know anything about configuring routers.







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[SteveMcClaire]

Hi scotters1 -- the exact steps to set up port forwarding will depend on your router, but you should be able to find instructions on-line by googling for '<router model> port forwarding' or something similiar. Here are some instructions I found that appear to be Comcast-related, though they may not apply to your situation depending on the exact router you have:

https://www.xfinity.com/support/article ... ss-gateway

[Scotters1]

Thank you! I will try it.

[Scotters1]

Ok, so I was able to directly connect, but things keep freezing up on the 2nd computer, the one that joins. (Btw, both computers far exceed the requirements needed to play, so no worries there.) I can get the host computer to the campaign map screen, but the "joining" computer can't move to that step, even after making sure that I clicked "ready" for both computers.

I appreciate your help, because this stuff is driving me nuts, but it will be worth it if my buddies and I can actually play each other in this game.

Any ideas of a next step that I can try?

[SteveMcClaire]

At that point the host game should transfer the scenario information to the joining game. This transfer doesn't normally take more than a few seconds to complete and then the client should advance to the planning screen.

There could be some sort of issue with the joining computer being unable to save the files on its end. Are you able to play the game single player on the joining computer and play the same scenario?

What scenario are you trying to play? Is it a new scenario or an existing saved game?

Does it matter which scenario you choose? Try a battle scenario rather than a campaign or operation to see if that makes any difference.

Are you able to type chat messages in the multi-player chat box and see them on the other computer?

[Scotters1]

The transfer definitely takes more than a few seconds.

Both computers can play the game and save without issue. Also, both games can play Steel Division 2 multiplayer without issue.

I have tried campaigns. I was unable to get the "joining: computer to the campaign map screen, even after making sure that both computers had clicked the "ready" box.

When I get a chance, I will try to do a battle scenario, rather than a campaign, but back when I first tested this, and was unable to get a direct connection, I was able to do a battle, it just took a bit for the joining computer to get going.

I will also test the chat again when I get a chance.

[Scotters1]

Ok, I did run into an issue with the Chat Test.
At first, I was able to type "test, and both computers picked it up. And then I do it with the next computer and Close Combat freezes on the joining computer. After closing out close combat on the both computers, I restarted, and did the opposite, I typed test on the joining computer first, than the host, and then I get the freeze again.

So something weird is going on here. I have McAfee anti virus fr both computers, but if I get a warning message, I always allow access. I'm not sure what to try next.

[SteveMcClaire]

It sounds as if something is preventing the joining game from sending over the connection. There's nothing in the game that would do this, so I suspect its a firewall or perhaps your anti-virus program. If you google 'allow program through windows 10 firewall' (or Windows 11, if that's what you have) you can find instructions on how to make sure Windows firewall isn't blocking you. You'd need to check for your anti-virus program documentation to verify that side of things.

[Scotters1]

Thank you. I will check the firewalls next when I get a chance and go from there.

[Scotters1]

Is there a way to specify the ip when making a direct ? A tech savvy friend of mine thinks the the issue may be that both computers are using the same network.

Here is what my friend thinks is happening:

"Both computers check in with the games server. Both computers say hey! This is my ip address and proceed to give game server the same ip for both scotters 1 and 3. your router has no idea which computer to send the traffic too because both computers are saying "Hey NAT, give me traffic on this port"

Btw, Scotters 1 and 3 are the names of each computer in Close Combat, they are what appears in the chat lobby.

Is there a way I can specify an internal IP address (ie 192.168.x.x) so that they can then negotiate directly with each other without the network address translation of the router? Aka, make a LAN Party? Can you help me to do this?

[SteveMcClaire]

No, the IP address is determined based on where you connect to the lobby server from. You can't set it manually.

Having two systems behind the same router isn't normally a problem when port forwarding is set up through the router. Typically the router port forwarding operates so that an incoming connection request on a given port is always forwarded to a specific computer / local IP.

So both computers make an outgoing connection to the game lobby server. Then when the direct connection is attempted the joiner tries to connect to the host directly. This connection attempt goes to your router, which should then forward the incoming connection request to the host computer.

From what you've described this is all working correctly, as you are able to establish a direct connection between the host and joiner. Based on what you've said, it sounds as if it is after this has already happened that the joiner is unable to communicate with the host.

[Scotters1]

I really appreciate your help!

A friend and I tried to play Steel Division 2, after we could not get Close Combat: Panthers in the Fog nor Last Stand Arnhem to work multiplayer. As soon as Steel Division 2 went to load up the Campaign map, we lost the mulitplayer connection.

Any idea as to what my next step should be?

Here is some info that may help. Both computers run all the games fine individually, my comcast xfinity internet runs great, I can play multiplayer games when connecting to other people not in my home, such as the fun dumb Alien Fire Team Elite, or complex flight sim games like Falcon BMS. When trying to play the mulitplayer games using my two computers at my house, I am using two different steam accounts, and I do own a copy of the game in each steam account. My internet is Xfinity Comcast, and I use their Router. Both computer are connected directly to the router for the fastest internet speed.

[Scotters1]

Update! It works on Steel Division 2!!!
What I had to do was to set McAfee to VPN on, Automatically on networks and Wi-Fi.

Now I need to test Close Combat. Fingers crossed.

And again, thank you for all your help and suggestions. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.

[Scotters1]

Close Combat Panthers in the Fog still did not work, it was stuck connecting to multiplayer endlessly. So Steel Division 2 worked great in Steam. CC did not. Both computers did show up in the chat room, but when I invited the other computer to join, and then I had the other computer agree, it got stuck in an endless connecting loop.

So I still need some advice on how to solve this.

[SteveMcClaire]

I would suggest a test where you turn your antivirus software off completely, if possible, and then see if you can connect with Panthers in the Fog. If it works with the antivirus off but not when it is on, then we at least know what is blocking the connection.

A quick web search show that this can be an issue with McAfee -- I don't know if this is what you're seeing, but it may help: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/316 ... connection

[Scotters1]

Could be worth a try.

I am very happy to report that I have two other Close Combat Games working in multiplayer now, Arnhem, and Watcht Em En Rein, and also other games like Steel Division 2. What I had to do is to use a VPN for the connecting computer. I discovered this when trying to host Falcon BMS, and a fellow sim pilot who is a computer genius suggested the VPN. Unfortunately, Panthers in the Fog still freezes in the chat room for some reason, so you may be right about have to disable McAfee to play it.

Thank you again for your help with this frustrating issue!