EU 2 Multiplayer still goes out of sync...

[Reiryc]

(This is a repost of something I have posted elsewhere....not sure where to put it and also don't want to re-type the thing over and over)

I have found the game to be great....an improved eu 1 in just about all respects(except the 1 territory annexation thing).

Multiplayer however is still pretty bad, atleast for me.

My specs...

p4 1.7
768 meg ram
geforce 3 asus vid card, 64 meg ram
dual isdn equaling 128k transfer rate
win 98 SE all patches
dx 8.0a
version 1.01 patched game

My multiplayer games usually begin by lagging slightly (grand campaign only so far) between giving an order and seeing it carried out. Often I represent the lag time in weeks/months/years. At the beginning of most games, the lag time in say giving an army a move order and actually seeing it carried out is around a week. As the game progresses however, the lag time often gets up to around a few months...the worst case scenario I've seen is over 2 years.

The lag happens quicker in games that are set to over 1 min = 4 months. However no matter the setting, lag always happens.

In all these situations I am the joining party to the game. When I am the host I don't lag but others do. Most games have been only 1v1 affairs but have tried a 3 and a 4 player game with same results for all of us.

I am hoping something can be done to resolve the multiplayer issues. This game would be much better(and it is very good single player) if the multiplayer issues were resolved.

Reiryc

 

[Warspite]

I have been testing multiplayer on valkrynet for a couple days and i also experience lag like you explain, just not as bad.

What i find is that I must play at a modest speed of no faster than 2mo/1min. You still might get some lagg but not very much. Im testing now to see if its better to just have the slow machine host and the rest join or have the fastest machine host. AS time passes we will iron out the details.

Thanks for the comments I hope to see you in there sometime.

Enjoy!

 

[AndrewT]

Reiryc, when playing in host/client mode (ie Internet not VKN) always let the slowest PC/connection be the host, that way clients can always keep up.

 

[Warspite]

Originally posted by AndrewT
Reiryc, when playing in host/client mode (ie Internet not VKN) always let the slowest PC/connection be the host, that way clients can always keep up.

I am also leaning in this direction too, it seems that the fast computer hosting sort of leaves the rest of us slower guys behind leading to loads of instability. When my slow computer hosts, i have less problems and crashes and laggs.

I know we went over your deal last night Reiryc, its hard to put a finger on your computers lagging, but i think Andrews suggestion is the best way to help that.

On with more testing

 

[Jools]

or you can just play the 1492 scenario like in EU1, it was ok.

 

[Reiryc]

I think I've found the problem...

Warspite,

I think I may have found the problem. Here is what johan the lead programmer had to say in the sticky about patch 1.01 in the EU 2 forum:

"This is because you lack bandwith, the only ways to improve this is.
A) Redesign the Internet.
B) Reduce the amount of data in the game.


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Reiryc
isdn dual connection = 128k

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



This is much below the minimum requirements. 512kb/s at all players is the minimum bandwith specified. If ANYONE is below that, the game WILL lag."

He is under the impression that the game requires 512kb/s for all players. The manual states on page 9 that a 56k connection is required.

I need you to check for me if you could, your page 9 of the manual and tell me what is says as the minimum requirements are. If they say 56k then either the programmer was not aware of the new minimum requirements or they printed the requirements they were hoping for but did not achieve.

Either way, there is a disconnect from what they need to have and what they have printed as the minimum requirements.

So please check your manual and let me know what it says.

Reiryc

 

[Warspite]

Actually the min requirements to play in a game is 56k modem. However that doesnt mean you wont lagg. The minimum required perhaps for a completely stable game would be 512k connect but that is a stretch if you ask me.

Let me tell you what i have come across in three days of testing.

Computer A = 400mhz, 96ram factory 3d graphics card,cable modem, win98
Computer B = 1300mhz, 256ram, factory graphics, cable modem, winme

comp B has not had one problem while playing several multiplayer games. It has hosted and never crashed, has joined and never lagged. It has been rock solid.

comp A however has crashed a couple times and consistantly laggs when joined with faster computers. that does not mean a super fast computer will not have problems because internet configurations for a computer need to be compatable. when hosting there wasnt much lagg, however it seems slower computers are more unstable and crash more. faster hosts cause slower computers to lagg at first. comp A played one game at 4mo/1min and didnt crash for years until i ended the game.

so i think there is a bit of luck involved with it too. general rule of thumb is have a fast connect speed, fairly fast computer, and lots of patience

more later as things develop

 

[Reiryc]

hrmmm

Well the spot where I am concerned with is that if the lead programer states that the minimum needed, thus as others have pointed out, the minimum means that there can still be lag, is 512kbs then having 56kbs is just not even in the ball park. Having 128kbs like myself is still not even close.

See the problem here or atleast the possible problem? Manual says one thing, programer says something completely different. Thus either he didnt code for the 56k minimum requirements or the manual is misrepresenting the game.

Key thing to remember is, if we assume minimum means still some lag, then 512kbs is a connection that would still have *some* lag. While a 56kbs connection would be nothing but lag and pretty much unplayable(which from what I gather from some others on valk net with slower connections than me, is unplayable). 56k is just over 10% of what the *lead programer* is stating is the minimum(512kbs).

I believe that under such circumstances we need to have paradox figure out and let the game players know which it is, 512k or 56k and from that point either issue a statement or begin coding a solution asap to meet the documented minimum requirements.

Reiryc

 

[Warspite]

i will try to get your quesitons answered reiryc, give me a few and we will see. HOpe you can get your connection to work consistantly though.

My slow computer just hosted a huge long game for 14 years without one hickup. I am more and more thinking its just getting lucky once you connect into valkrynet or a game. with luck improving with a more stable or fast system.