Multiplayer over Lan

Questions on any limitations, etc.

from Sins Forums
For me, especially right now, the clincher I am looking for is playing over Lan. I love playing multiplayer strategy games with my family and friends, but sometimes we can't afford the 4 copies that some games want to require you to fulfill. That said I have a few questions on this.

1) Is an internet connection required at all for MP over LAN? I doubt it is, but some studios are kooky. Also, without an internet connection -- installation via archived CD -- how would I go about activation?

2) Would I get in trouble for buying 1 copy and using it for MP over LAN with my family? I am familiar with Stardock/Totalgaming.Net policy of no copy protection, but I don't want my serial revoked. I do know that Stardock has the capability to track installation and distribution of serials by usage.

3) If I need to buy an additional copy to play in MP over LAN, what ratio to players would be the most acceptable?

That's all I can think of for now.

Edit: Oh yeah, one of the Stardock guys might be able to answer the following. If I preorder with a discount code, will it get charged as such when the next beta is released even outside the code's validity? I hope so.... (Otherwise why waste a good coupon?)
multiplayer
13,087 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top


3) If I need to buy an additional copy to play in MP over LAN, what ratio to players would be the most acceptable?


I'm sure they'd love 1:1!
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Well... sure. Of course. But I might not be able to afford that much. College student and all. (Though I do believe in supporting good developers!)
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
College student and all.


Hehe, yeah

Same here, and man am I unhappy... I wanna buy some books that are coming out (Sluggy's Megatome 2 and H.O.L.E.'s first book
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Offline activation will probably go by manual email, same as is done with other SDC downloads.

The coupon question should probably be directed to [email protected]. I'll see if I can point Yarlen this way for the others.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Okay, here's what we're looking at right now:

1) See kryo's response. If your PC isn't connected to the Internet then you'll be able to activate via email.

2 & 3) For LAN usage, we're planning on a 1:2 ratio (1 serial for every 2 PCs on the network). The game will detect if you go over this and ask you to provide another serial if this is the case. You won't need to be connected to the Internet for LAN-only games (activation still applies, however, hence #1).

3) I believe the discount will still apply if you have a coupon, but you should feel free to email [email protected] to verify.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Thanks for the answers guys. Good to see you around again, Yarlen.

As to activation by email I assume that I can email some sort of code from the offline PC via the online PC, and so then give the needed response once I get a code back?

I completely understand the 1:2 ratio; I liked Age of Empires method of 1:3 (or 4, it's been a few years) but that is completely reasonable.

I have emailed the Sales Dept and hope for a positive reply on that.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
As to activation by email I assume that I can email some sort of code from the offline PC via the online PC, and so then give the needed response once I get a code back?


Pretty much.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
1) See kryo's response. If your PC isn't connected to the Internet then you'll be able to activate via email.


What if you don't have email?
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
You need email to have registered the game and use the forum to begin with.
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
2 & 3) For LAN usage, we're planning on a 1:2 ratio (1 serial for every 2 PCs on the network). The game will detect if you go over this and ask you to provide another serial if this is the case. You won't need to be connected to the Internet for LAN-only games (activation still applies, however, hence #1).


Just want to give you kudos for that.

Not much games nowadays allow that, which is a shame really.

My friends and I loved the spawn modus on the blizzard games, which allowed us to play it even though we hadn't had it all.