For IRC go here.

This guide is designed to help you get your computer and internet configured so that you can play Outpost 2 online with others using the Direct connection method.

Outpost 2 Multiplayer using Direct IP connection

This is the easiest and the best method to play Outpost 2 over the internet however not everyone can do it.

Checking your situation - Run Outpost 2, go to Multiplayer, click TCP/IP, click Create. If the IP shown there is your Internet IP then you should be already setup and able to play. If it is not your Internet IP, such as a 192.168.0.x, 10.10.0.x or whatever you must have a network enabled, and possibly a router, read on.

Finding you Internet IP - To find out your Internet IP so you can check it with the one shown on Outpost 2 do the following. Press the Start button, go to Run and type 'cmd' then on the command prompt type 'ipconfig'. The following should come up (on XP):

If Outpost 2 doesn't show Internet IP - Make note of the IP it is showing because this is your computers IP within your network. You now need to setup your router to allow data for Outpost 2 to reach your computer from the internet connection on your router. There are two ways to do this:

• Port Forwarding (aka Virtual Server)

• DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

Port Forwarding is the suggested method. To do this on your router you must first log-on to your router. You do this using your web browser, you go to the address of your router. To find the address (IP) of your router run ipconfig like before but look under your network connection adapter (default name on XP 'Local Area Connection') for the Default Gateway, this IP address (numbers) is the routers address on your network. Note - The IP at the top is your computers IP within your network. Now open your web browser and type http://192.168.0.1/ or http://192.168.1.1/. (If one doesn't work, try the other address). This should bring up a login prompt. On most routers you require a username and password to log in - see your router manual if you are unsure of the default username and password.

Residence Halls, Corporate Environments, etc - Unless you can ask a system administrator to unblock the UDP ports as shown below (or have login access yourself to the corporate / res hall router equipment), the method shown will not work for you. You may need to use Hamachi (scroll to the bottom of the page for more information).

Router setup (Port Forwarding) - Port 47800 (to join), Port Range 47776 - 47807 (to join & host) - UDP
Once logged in to your router you need to find Port Forwarding which may also be called Virtual Server, it might be under an 'advanced' tab. Once there you need to add a new entry for Outpost 2. Start by entering the description of the entry as Outpost 2. If there is any sort of 'Enable' tick box, tick it. The second box will either be a single box usually named 'Public Port' or two boxes with a dash (-) in between them, these will usually be labeled 'Inbound Ports' or 'Port Range'. If you can only forward one port, rather than a range, enter 47800 as the port. If you can forward a range enter the first port as 47776 and the second as 47807, this forwards all of the ports in the range. After this you have to select the protocol type, select UDP not TCP (default). Then you have to set the IP which you want the forwarded ports to go to. This is the computer on your network which you want to play Outpost 2 on. Outpost 2 and ipconfig (as above) will have shown this, enter this IP. After this there maybe Private port or range. This must be the same as before so if you can only enter one port make it 47800 but if you can enter a range like before enter 47776 - 47807. Make sure you click 'Apply Settings' or a similar button to submit the new settings to the router. Some routers may need a restart before the settings will take effect, just power cycle the router itself (you will lose your internet connection for a short time as the router restarts).

Router setup (DMZ) - This is similar to port forwarding, but instead of forwarding just one port or a range, it forwards any ports which doesn't have a separate forwarding rule to your computer. In some cases, if forwarding didn't work, DMZ will help you. First of all, be sure that you have removed any forwarding rule for Outpost 2 that already exists. Under your router setup, find 'DMZ' or 'DMZ Host'. Once there you need to enable DMZ and set the IP to your computers IP within the network. This is the computer on your network which you want to play Outpost 2 on. Outpost 2 and ipconfig (as above) will have shown this IP, enter this. Make sure you click 'Apply'. You may need to reset your router as before. Note - If you use DMZ then please install a software firewall and anti-virus to help protect it.

For more detailed router setup (with screenshots) for port forwarding and DMZ please visit portforward.com

That is it for your router setup. You should be ready to play. Note - Allow Outpost 2 on your firewall if you have a firewall. If you only have port 47800 forwarded you can only join games and not host them.

Hosting a Game - To host a game run Outpost 2, go to Multiplayer, click TCP/IP, click Create. Enter the name you want to be displayed to other users and in game. Please use a similar name to the nick you use on IRC to avoid confusion. Set a password if you want it to be a private game, select the Max Players for the game then chose the Scenario Type you want for the game. Finally click OK. You will be taken to the multiplayer menu where you can chose map and settings. Your game is now hosted.

You now need to tell other players your IP so that they can join. Using mIRC type $ip in the chat box then press Tab, this will get your current internet IP. You can then press Enter to send your message.

Outpost Universe IRC Channel - This is where we meet to play. For more information and to download a program that enables you to connect to IRC, follow this link.

Joining a Game - Run Outpost 2, go to Multiplayer, click Internet (TCP/IP), click Join, click OK. Enter your name, click OK. Enter the IP address where you know a game is hosted and click OK. The game should appear in the list, double click it to join the game.

Outpost 2 Multiplayer via Hamachi

Hamachi is a type of program called a VPN program (Virtual Private Network). This creates a 'virtual network' between your computer and other computers on the Internet (so it appears to other programs you are using that you are on the same LAN (Local Area Network) with the other players in the game. This is useful for playing Outpost 2 if you are having problems using the direct IP connection method.

For more information on Hamachi, follow this link.