New MP problem arises

[norb]

All it should be is that you can connect to the internet. But we've had reports that the lobby server is acting up today. I am sorry to say that we do not run that server and use a third party service, so it's out of our control. Some of the guys are looking into it now so that we can address the issue.

Without the lobby you would only be able to direct connect. The lobby is required to use the NAT server (that's what allows you to connect without opening ports on your router). So without it you are stuck with our old way of doing things which is usually not for novices. You get a port on your router mapped and then type in the IP of your opponent rather than connecting to the lobby. I know there is help on the site for this type of connection, but I'm not sure exactly where. Just do some searches or someone else should be able to help you out.

I wish that we were able to run our own server so that we did not have these issues. Hopefully some day. Thanks.

[Jim]

You could also test to see if either of you can connect with MP to other players. That might tell you which of you had developed a new issue.

-Jim

[cliometrician]

Yes, another friend was able to connect with me and play MP. We used to connect with IP addresses all the time with the old SMG game, and we did so with SOWG a couple of times when the lobby was having some trouble. I don't know why the IP method no longer works for my friend who's having the trouble.

[norb]

I have sent a support email to the lobby people, hopefully they'll be back up tonight. Sorry that these things happen. We will be exploring other solutions.

[cliometrician]

Thank you, Norb. We appreciate it.

[norb]

I think it's more than the server just coming up. I grabbed the BattleHQ Client (you can get it from the powerlobbies site) and even with that I could not connect. Or rather it connects to the server, but login messages are ignored. Something very weird is happening on their servers. I'm working with him now to resolve.

[cliometrician]

If my friend re-installed SOWG could that resolve the issue, or does the problem go deeper than that with the server?

[norb]

At this point you can try anything. Often when debugging software, solutions that make no sense work. We've been having lots of issues with the lobby lately. I cannot even get there anymore, but the rest of the team can. When I do a tracert to the server, it times out. I'm not sure what's happening, but we are working on it.