FAQ + How to get started using FS2NetD

How to get Freespace 2 Multiplayer working
By: MatthewPapa

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NOTE: These instructions assume that you have a fresh FS2_Open install or are about to. If you have any previous modifications or campaigns installed and have not installed them correctly there is a good chance that this tutorial may not work properly for you.

1. Firstly go register a multiplayer account here. Be sure to write down/remember your multiplayer account information!!
   
2. Download/intall FS2_Open if you haven't already. If you have the FS2_Open installer run it again and it will automatically check if you need to update anything.
   
3. Your Freespace2\Data folder may already contain a folder called fs2open_pxo.cfg
   
   If so, open it in notepad. It should say this
   
   Code:

   fs2netd.game-warden.com
   12000

   
   If it doesn't either create a new file with that name and text or simply right mouse click and choose to save this file.
   
   If you do not have FS2_Open 3.6.10 (not out at time of writing) you should check your Freespace2\mediavps\Data folder too. There should also be a fs2open_pxo.cfg here which says the same thing as the other one. If you don't have one simply copy the other one to this folder (make sure you copy. You need the file in both folders).
   
   If you are playing with the 3.6.10 media VPs you will not need to do that.
   
   NOTE : If you are using this guide to troubleshoot problems with Battlestar Galactica : Beyond The Red Line, Wing Commander Saga or Starfox : Shadows of Lylat your config file will say something different. DO NOT use the information in this step. The config file you have is more likely to be correct than the information here.
   
4. If you are behind a router or firewall you will need to forward port 7808 both UDP and TCP to your computer. It is critical that you do this or other people WILL NOT be able to join or even see your games! They may show up on the site, but people WILL NOT be able to see or join them in the game. Consult your router/firewall documentation for more info on forwarding ports. It will probably look something like this:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   IF THIS IS NOT DONE PROPERLY, IT MAY SERIOUSLY DIMINISH YOUR FS2NETD EXPERIENCE!!
   
5. Open up Freespace 2 via the launcher by clicking run. Tab over to multiplayer on the choose pilot screen and create a new pilot. It is preferable that the pilot that you create be the same name as your account name that you created earlier (avoids some confusion for new people.)
   
6. Go to Freespace 2 preferences now and then go to the sub-tab "multi preferences." Select PXO and then type in your multiplayer username and password (the one you registered in step 1.)
   
   
   
   
   
   You can safely leave the "squadron" field blank.
   
7. Pilot, you are now qualified to fly FS2NetD! Good luck. Click on the main door to host or join your first multiplayer game!

Okay. Now for a few notes and comments.

• If you are getting the message "you have hacked tables" it is because you aren't using the 3.6.10 official media VPs. At time of writing these aren't actually out yet so the only choice is to run with only FS2 data (no media VPs) or simply put up with the message until the release.
  
• Valid multiplayer missions (ones that cound on your score) File1. File2. Voices (optional)
  
  If you installed using the online SCP installer you'll probably already have these (They'll be in multi-mission-pack.vp and multi-voice-pack.vp so if you have those files don't bother downloading these).

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Cobra said:

here's a message to all you n00bie multiplayers. watch out for a pilot named Hubertus. he is very good, and will kick your ass all the way down the street and back.

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