Play more than one nation in MP

WraithLord · #1 July 9th, 2008, 08:26 AM

I've stumbled into a situation that requires I play more than one nation in an MP game (team game, I'm subbing for my team mate).

Assuming I have two dom-III CDs would the procedure I'll need 2 follow be:
1. Install 2nd instance of dominions on same PC (as first one).
2. Play first nation's turns using first instance and second nation's using second instance.

I'm asking just to make sure strange things don't start happening when hosting the game.

Sombre · #2 July 9th, 2008, 08:34 AM

Contact Shrapnel tech support.

lol

Calahan · #3 July 9th, 2008, 09:00 AM

My guess would be that all you'd need to do is change the CD-Key between submitting turns for your two nations.

1. Play and submit/upload your turn for nation1 using the CD-Key that came with your first copy of Dom3.
2. Exit Dom3.
3. Locate and delete the "key.file" in the Dom3 directory.
4. Start Dom3 and enter the CD-Key that came with your second copy of Dom3.
5. Play and submit/upload your turn for nation2.

My understanding is (although may well be wrong) that it is only the issue of identical CD-Key's that prevents the same person (or more accurately, the same copy of Dom3) from submitting turns for more than one nation.

thejeff · #4 July 9th, 2008, 09:19 AM

As far as I know, as long as you're playing on the same machine (IP Address? MAC Address?) you can use the same install (CD-Key).
I've seen claims otherwise, but I don't recall anyone posting that they tried it and it didn't work.

I haven't tried this. It obviously would work in hotseat games. And I'm not sure how to experiment on my own. I've only got 1 key, and I'm not sure that running the experiment while playing from the server machine would be a good test. I could set up a test 2 nation game if you wanted to try it out...

I'd really hope it's that way. It's certainly legit for copy protection to prevent using multiple installs of the same license, but to prevent using the same install to play 2 nations is not. No copying, no copyright infringement.

WraithLord · #5 July 9th, 2008, 09:26 AM

Your suggestions make sense. However its very inconvenient to have to manually type the keys every time I want to submit a turn. Also, it requires that I keep tabs over which nation used which key.

The most elegant solution would have been for the game engine that handle it automatically by allowing you to enter more than one key and then allowing (in game UI) to match key with turn/nation.

A workable solution for me would have been to install DOM-III twice and play the turns using the two installations. I find it more convenient since I don't have to retype the key.

Oh, and just a thought, what if instead if deleting key.file I rename to key.file.nation1 then I start dom and enter second key, exit dom again and copy key to key.file.nation2. Then all I need to is copy the key corresponding to the nation.

Anyway, I'm starting to get a bad feeling WRT this thread since I feel there's a risk something coming up here could be used for piracy.

I think I'll wait for Shrapnel support response.

WraithLord · #6 July 9th, 2008, 09:33 AM

Thejeff, I too hope your assessment is true. I'd be happy to take part in your experiment and simply test it.

I agree it does make sense to prevent two different turns from two different machines with same key from working, but using one machine to play two (or more) nations should be allowed. Its hard for me to see how it can be exploited, one machine means no copy so no issue here. Well rehashed your statement, goes to show how strongly I agree

thejeff · #7 July 9th, 2008, 11:05 AM

I've thrown up a testgame at silverfool.com Port 8098

Try it out when you can.

Let me know if you can't connect or something. I don't have the game installed here, so I can't check the server.

Tifone · #8 July 9th, 2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

WraithLord said:
I agree it does make sense to prevent two different turns from two different machines with same key from working, but using one machine to play two (or more) nations should be allowed.

I agree ^^ If I wanted to play a 2nations vs 2 with one friend, or my (ipotetical) brother wants to take part to a game with my copy, it doesn't seem unlegit, having I a valid and checked copy of the game

Gandalf Parker · #9 July 9th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Im not sure if you need to switch keys. Im fairly sure in many of the test games Ive run on my server that I have logged in as multiple nations. It has always been with one opening of Dom3 grabbing both turn files.

However, if you do decide you need to switch keys then you can create a seperate game-icon on your desktop. The key file is a file named "key". Just have the game icon for nation one copy key1 to key, then open dom3 (btw you can also tell it which ip, port, game name, etc so that you skip all that). Then have another icon on your desk for nation two which copies key2 to key, then opens dom3.

I can get more specific if I knew whether you were Windows XP, Vista, Mac, Linux.

Added Note: for those who are reading and get concerned about the possibility of cheating. Most hosts can "see" the connections and log them. On my server I can see when the same people play mutliple nations, or use a full version in a demo game.

WraithLord · #10 July 9th, 2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

thejeff said:
I've thrown up a testgame at silverfool.com Port 8098

Try it out when you can.

Let me know if you can't connect or something. I don't have the game installed here, so I can't check the server.

Whoa, you're quick. Thanks!

Can't play your test game due missing mode CapitalSites.dm. Maybe you can setup w/o mods.