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Introduction

This page contains information about the network multiplayer feature.

Quick guide

  1. Alternatively you can host your own game by pressing the Create game button (the game will show up in the list for others to join).
    • You can also connect directly to an IP:port by pressing Direct connect
  2. Press Ready button in the game lobby tab and wait for others to become ready too
  3. The game shall start when the host presses the button
  1. It is possible for host to continue game on other track (or restart on current)
    • When host presses new game (same button as start) current game will end, peers will have shown menu
    • Host can now change track (and game settings) and after all peers have pressed ready, game can start again

Direct connect

Networked multiplayer only works with Direct connect (all players need to specify IP). Doesn't need to be only local network.

To play multiplayer you should enlist your friends to play with you. All players need to have ports forwarded, and use Direct connect.

Master server (unavailable)

If you see on Multiplayer tab you can see an error message "Couldn't reach the master server". This is because it's not working since years and won't be. Unless someone can host it on an IP that is not changing or better has a named domain. In that case please post on our forum.

The list of available games will never be filled. And when it was there were rarely games in it.

But even years ago (when it worked) it was rarely not empty. There was also a webpage with status of available games back then. And you could come to #stuntrally on Freenode to challenge one of the hang-arounds.

Troubleshooting

Q: I get a "Network error" message box when I try to join or create a game.

A: Maybe some other program is currently using the local port. Try a different one by changing it in the Settings tab. Also make sure your firewall isn't blocking Stunt Rally - it needs permissions to both access the internet as well as listen for connections (i.e. permission to be a server).

Q: Other players can't connect to me

A: Most likely your router is blocking access. Configure it to forward the traffic coming to the Stunt Rally local port (check it from Multiplayer's Settings tab) to your computer. You might find http://portforward.com/ helpful.

Q: I cannot connect to some players

A: This is the previous problem reversed - their firewall is misconfigured. If you have your router properly configured, the others should be able to connect to you and as such you don't need to connect to them anymore. Obviously this doesn't apply if you are the host.

Q: I get errors about protocol versions

A: This means that your version of Stunt Rally is incompatible with the master-server and/or other players (depending on with whom you are trying to communicate). Your best bet is to make sure you are running the latest release of SR. Otherwise, tell your fellow players or master-server administrator (that's us most likely) to upgrade.

Q: How can I change my nickname?

A: Go to the Settings tab under the Multiplayer main tab.

Technical details

SR networking is based on the peer-to-peer architecture, meaning all players are connected to each other and there is no separate game (simulating) server.

The underlying protocol used is UDP, through ENet (networking library).
SR builds it's own layer on top of that, so using generic UDP sockets for communicating with SR or master server is not possible.

Master (game) server

Stunt Rally used a lightweight master server for tracking available games.

Master server is a simple command-line server (can be daemonized on Linux)
that accepts game announcements and passes a list of them to anyone who asks.
Clients must update the games periodically or they will timeout in the master server.

Anyone can build and host a master server. Info also here.
and its code here it builds with CMake in SR repo.

Players need to set the correct address and port in the Multiplayer - Settings tab in order to connect to it and use.

If master server works:

  1. Host creates a game on Single Race - Multiplayer with Create game button (just like for Direct connect).
  2. Then others to join game: Go to the Single Race - Multiplayer tab and press the Refresh list button.
    • This will connect to master server and should list game(s)
  3. Select a game you wish to join and press the Join game button