Multi-Player

[OTTODAD]

This subject is being mentioned again in connection with TS-2015 and although I am not interested wonder how a train simulator that allows only one player to run in an activity or scenario, apart from running multiple AIs, can be programmed to let multiple players sharing a multi-player session to run allocated to them trains, following instructions from the multi-player dispatcher given to them the start of the session, following their time tables, etc.

The expense of creating multi-player functionality for just a small niche of users I don't think is an option !

[baldwin]

Moot point as OR already has multi player capability that works.

[OTTODAD]

Moot point as OR already has multi player capability that works.

That is not answering my question which is: HOW CAN MULTI_PLAYER BE CODED IN A TRAIN SIMULATOR THAT CAN RUN ONLY ONE PLAYER AT ANY TIME IN A SESSION, including ORTS !

[eric]

Otto, maybe your question isn't clear, but multiplayer has been working fine for ~18 months in ORTS. I've done it on laptops side by side with each other across my home wifi network as well as our wired network, and I've done it with other users across a distance. All PC's have to have the same TDB version, and everyone is in explore mode.

The basics involve the game timeclocks being synchronized, and all relevant train movement & signalling event data getting shared via the server between the sessions 0 thru N... It's fairly simple and it works.

Perhaps you could explain your question a little better? What isn't being done with ORTS multiplayer that you think needs to be there?

[OTTODAD]

I am not saying that anything needs to be done in ORTS relating to Multi-Player, I am asking a general question how a train simulator program can be coded to allow more than one player to run his train in a route's activity \ scenario.

The train simulators that I use have not been programmed for multi-play which have to share a session with others on the Internet, one having to provide and use a multi-player server !

Being a programmer myself would like to know the HOW-TO !

What you are doing as a multi-player is not explaining that !

[eric]

You don't need a standalone server for multiplay.... One of the players decides they're the server, and publishes their IP address to the other player. The only challenge for the server player is figuring out what their public IP address is, and setting up the router or firewall to enable port forwarding to the IP address on their internal network.

[OTTODAD]

You don't need a standalone server for multiplay.... One of the players decides they're the server, and publishes their IP address to the other player. The only challenge for the server player is figuring out what their public IP address is, and setting up the router or firewall to enable port forwarding to the IP address on their internal network.

I use an Internet USB-2 ADSL modem broadband connection supplied by the UK BT Telecoms, using my copper cable phone land line. How can I find out what my WIN-XP SP3 computer's IP address is ?

Here is one having problems trying to set up an ORTS multi-player session:
http://www.elvastower.com/forums/index.php?/topic/23569-multiplayer-will-not-connect/

If it is possible and me being the server, how can my ORTS be used to ran a route multi-player, allowing only one player at a time to drive a train in an activity ?

Vice versa, how can I run a train at the same time as others in an ORTS route running on somebody else's PC set up to be the multi-player server ?

[roeter]

Somebody has been kind enough to set up a server for general use (see http://www.tsimserver.com/ORFiles031205/ServerInfo.html). If you have agreed to run an MP session with some friends, the first player logs in as 'dispatcher', his session will be the 'main' server session. The others can than log in as normal users. Each player will run OR on it's own PC, the server is only the general link. Obviously, all players must run the same version of OR and have the same version of the route as well.
Each player will start a train in explorer mode. When joining, a message is send from the user PC to the server detailing that it's a new user, the train composition and position etc. This message is then broadcast to all players. If the receiving player has the same rolling stock files, the train will be the same consist, otherwise the system looks for the nearest (in length) 'alternative'.
Each player runs its train on his own PC, but frequent updates are send to the server which in turn are broadcast to all players. These messages allow all trains to be shown on each participating PC. Signalling is controlled in the server based on these updates, and this information is also broadcast to all users. These messages overrule the local signalling process.
Activities do not work in MP, trains can be run in explorer mode only. The exception to this is the first player who runs the main 'controlling' session (the dispatcher), as this activity is copied to the server and the AI trains are run by the server.
The dispatcher can also 'interfere' with the signalling and pathing; additionally, it is possible to allow other users some local control as well, e.g. to perform shunt moves.
It's not perfect, in particular the signalling is rather 'rough and ready', but it is just good enough to work.

Regards,
Rob Roeterdink

[OTTODAD]

Thanks, Rob, that explains some of it.

Can all the multi-players in a session see on their PCs the ORTS MP dispatcher map showing them where all the other multi-player trains are ?

Does such a session have to be run at a certain time so that those who want to participate can join it, having been told its starting time ?

Once it has started, can more multi-players join it and can they communicate with the dispatcher and other players by texting messages, all can see shown at the bottom of their screens or in a separate window overlay ?

[Old_Codger]

How can I find out what my WIN-XP SP3 computer's IP address is ?

This link will tell you what your IP address is. http://whatismyipaddress.com/

If you have a static IP address, it will always be the same. If you have a dynamic IP address, it will change often.

[roeter]

Can all the multi-players in a session see on their PCs the ORTS MP dispatcher map showing them where all the other multi-player trains are ?

Does such a session have to be run at a certain time so that those who want to participate can join it, having been told its starting time ?

Once it has started, can more multi-players join it and can they communicate with the dispatcher and other players by texting messages, all can see shown at the bottom of their screens or in a separate window overlay ?

The answer to all three questions is "Yes", except that broadcast messages can only be sent by the 'dispatcher'. All that information runs through the dispatch window.

Regards,
Rob Roeterdink

[OTTODAD]

This link will tell you what your IP address is.

http://whatismyipaddress.com/
If you have a static IP address, it will always be the same. If you have a dynamic IP address, it will change often.

Not sure whether my IP address is dynamic when connecting to the Internet using BT Broadband, but think that it is.

What did you input into this web site to get it to tell you what your IP address is ?

[Old_Codger]

Not sure whether my IP address is dynamic when connecting to the Internet using BT Broadband, but think that it is.

You can know for sure by remembering what it says now, then check back in a week or so and see if it's different or not.

What did you input into this web site to get it to tell you what your IP address is ?

You don't have to enter anything. The number displayed should be your IP address.

IP.jpg

You can double check that at these two links.

http://whatismyipaddress.com/

http://www.whatismyip.com/