Known multiplayer issues in Rise of Nations (832800)

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Memory for multiplayer games

Rise of Nations multiplayer games that are played with five or more players have fewer latency problems when each player has more than 256 megabytes (MB) of RAM installed on their computer.

Computers with multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses cannot host games

To host a game when you have more than one IP address, all extra IP addresses must be removed so that the system only has one valid IP address.

Errors in playback of recorded game

If a player uses the Cannon Time feature, the replay of that game will be out of synchronization. The Cannon Time feature is only available in multiplayer games and is activated by using the BACKSPACE key.

Microsoft Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing Server clients

Clients of Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing Server cannot join an internally hosted game either by using a LAN browser or a Direct IP address without upgrading the Internet Connection Sharing Server to Service Pack 1 (SP-1).

Cannot connect to games that are hosted on Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition Internet Connection Sharing Server

If the host of a multiplayer game is running Windows 98 Second Edition Internet Connection Sharing Server, players who try to join by using GameSpy or by using a Direct IP address will experience any one of the following symptoms:

• They cannot connect to the game.
• They cannot select any game variables in the staging area.
• They cannot see anyone else in the game.

Graphical glitch during GameSpy-hosted games

After a game is started by using GameSpy, if a player changes their game resolution and returns to the game, the cost to build villagers will appear with a *1 prefix. For example, 25 gold will become *125 gold. This is only a graphical anomaly and does not change the cost of villagers.

GameSpy Arcade-hosted games public IP Address passed

On games that are played with GameSpy Arcade, the public IP address appears for clients and hosts that are behind the same Internet Connection Sharing server, firewall, or Network Address Translation (NAT).

GameSpy Arcade hides hosted games

GameSpy Arcade does not work with Network Address Translations (NATs). Internal Internet Connection Sharing clients cannot see hosted games on Windows XP Service Pack 1-based computers in GameSpy Arcade. There are two ways to use GameSpy's opponent matching - one is through their own program GameSpy Arcade, and the other is through Rise of Nations. To join a GameSpy game, use the GameSpy interface inside the Rise of Nations game shell.

Hosted games appear as "No Name" in GameSpy

When you are in GameSpy browsing the list of games to join, some may appear as "No Name". This behavior occurs when you and the host are behind the same NAT or firewall.

Routers without Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and multiplayer games

You may experience problems connecting to multiplayer games through a router without UPnP. You may have to configure your router to permit the use of required network ports.

If you have UPnP hardware as part of your existing network, confirm that UPnP is enabled in the settings or contact the manufacturer for more information. If you are buying new hardware, look for the UPnP logo on the box.

For additional information about configuring network ports, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Players cannot look for games over a virtual private network (VPN)

To join a game over a VPN, follow these steps:

1. Obtain the IP address from the host.
2. Click Join IP.
3. Type the IP address.

No link to GameSpy rankings Web site

Rise of Nations supports a ranking Web site that is hosted by GameSpy, there is currently no link to that Web site in the game. To see current game ranking information, visit the following GameSpy Web site: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.