Cutstuff Forum

Mega Man 8-bit Deathmatch => Tutorial Collection => Topic started by: CutmanMike on September 29, 2010, 09:32:02 PM

Title: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: CutmanMike on September 29, 2010, 09:32:02 PM
Introduction

Included in the Mega Man Deathmatch zip is a launcher which allows you to run the game locally or host servers. The idea is to have a fast way to host games without going through most of the complications and additional options most launcher have. Since a lot of options for Skulltag do not apply to MM8BDM, this launcher simplifies the process by allowing you to configure the basics.

If you would like more options (such as running your own expansions/mods), you should probably get DoomSeeker (http://cutstuff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=728&start=0)

Setting up a server

Run MM8BDM.exe and click the host tab. You'll be presented with quite a few options. Here I will explain what they all do.

(http://i54.tinypic.com/2i9qtk9.png)

Server Name
This is what players will see while looking through their server browser. Call it whatever you like!

Game mode
The game mode to be played in the server. There's quite a few!


Note: CTF and One Flag CTF can only be played on CTF maps (MMCTF01-MMCTF03). You should also be careful what maps you choose for possession, as the circuit board can be dropped into pits and never be retrieved on certain levels.

Broadcast to server list
If this is ticked, it will appear in the list of servers. If it is unticked, it will not be displayed. Players can still connect if they know your IP address however.

Max players
The maximum amount of players that can play in this server. 32 is the maximum.

Max spectators
The maximum amount of spectators in this server. These players cannot join if the maximum amount of players is reached. 32 is the maximum.

Port
This is VERY important. If you aren't behind a router, you should be good to go. If you ARE behind a router, you need to specify an open port here. For more info on port forwarding, go here (later).

Frag/win limit
The game is over when this limit is hit. This can be frags, points or wins depending on the game mode.

Time Limit
The game ends when the time limit is hit. Whoever has the most frags, points or wins at this point, wins the game.

Password
If not blank, players will need to enter this password to enter your server. Perfect for private games.

Extra Command Line Parameters
This area is if you wish to pass any extra parameters to Skulltag that the launcher doesn't offer. For a good list of these, see here (http://www.skulltag.com/wiki/Commands).

Game options
These are specific options for the game. While there's a HELL of a lot more, these are the most important for MM8BDM.


Map Rotation
This is the list of maps that will be played in this server. You can change the order around or remove maps from this list freely. Hit the defaults button to restore the map rotation back to normal. Note that CTF has it's own map rotation, and those maps will be selected automatically when you choose CTF or One Flag CTF in the drop down.

Launch
Launches the server and brings up the server window. You do not automatically connect to your game. Instead you have to launch the game and connect to it yourself, or use a server browser like DoomSeeker (see below).

Save Settings
Save your server settings to a file.

Load Settings
Restore your server settings from a file.

Connecting to your server

Now that you have the server window open, you may want to join your server to check the settings out or actually play with other folks. You can do this two ways.

1. Open up the launcher again and run singleplayer. When the game is loaded drop the console (press the ` key). Type in the console "connect localhost". You should connect straight to your server. If localhost doesn't work, try your IP address (http://www.whatismyip.com).

2. You can use DoomSeeker (http://cutstuff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=728) and join it from there. This is the recommended way as this confirms that your server is running and other players are able to find it. If it's not showing up in DoomSeeker, most likely you need to do some port forwarding.

Managing your server

While the server window is open, you have a bunch of options you can access. I won't list them all, as most are self explanatory or are irrelevant to MM8BDM. You can kick/ban players from here, add bots, talk to your players etc etc. Don't forget when you close this window, your server shuts down and your players will be disconnected, so it's advisable to let them know first!
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Hallan Parva on September 30, 2010, 06:12:40 PM
When I asked about an "Auto explains the game!" sign for Instagib, you said it was "not a real game mode" and was simply a little tick mark that you could use to make any game mode in the game run as Instagib. Yet, in the server launcher, Instagib is NOT a tick mark, and based on what you typed up, Instagib is only for Deathmatch games. Is this true, or can I still make anything Instagib? (Instagib Possession, anyone?)
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: CutmanMike on September 30, 2010, 06:20:28 PM
You can, but to make things easier for players I made it a dropdown in the launcher. When you have the server up, you can toggle instagib as you please
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Korby on September 30, 2010, 06:20:38 PM
Oh man. LMS/TLMS sounds REALLY fun with Drop weapons on. That'll make it even more like Megaman!
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Hallan Parva on September 30, 2010, 09:51:30 PM
Okay, another question:
Quote from: "CutmanMike"
This is what players will see while looking through their server browser.
Will the latest MM8BDM build be compatible with the game's internal browser, or will players still have to rely on things like DoomSeeker?
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: CutmanMike on September 30, 2010, 10:04:55 PM
It does work but don't forget, servers using other versions of skulltag will not be displayed.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Hallan Parva on September 30, 2010, 10:07:34 PM
Alrighty then. At first I guess that isn't an issue, as the release has the latest Skulltag, but a month or two after that I guess it's up to you to update your Skulltag.

Thanks for all the speedy responses! :D
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Zellough on October 11, 2010, 02:24:38 AM
hmmmmm i'd like to know about the port thing i can't broadcast my server because of that what should i do?  :)
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: CutmanMike on October 11, 2010, 09:17:05 AM
Drop into google the model of your router with "port forward" and you should get some results.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Emmanuelf06 on October 11, 2010, 02:30:42 PM
When i open a server, my friends can't go with mi IP....i try with doomseeker an others, but i don't understand.... =s

I have a 0,5m (512k), it's bad but i hope i can play online with my friends in France. :/

EDIT: It's okay, we used the bad "IP adress" XD, we can play, it's cooool!
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Max on October 13, 2010, 06:46:06 PM
Is there any way to turn off items? Short of LMS.

I got errors, for some reason only the second time I tried to host and after that.

Network packet failed? Something like that?
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Ivory on October 13, 2010, 06:55:20 PM
I don't believe so, since weapons count as items. I checked the launcher options, skulltag options. Nothing about item removal.

However I could very easily make a patch for you that removes the items from play. That just means everyone would need to download it

Of course, when you say items, what do you mean? Health, Ammo Refills, The Pickups, weapons? etc?
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Max on October 13, 2010, 06:56:14 PM
Pickups of any kind. Just so everyone has to use one weapon, but I don't want people to have to download stuff just to play on my server. Oh well.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Anonymous on October 24, 2010, 04:04:03 AM
Hi every1
i have a question that i have from the demo and de full version the problem is:

When i host a server i cant se any1 on my sever i give the ip to my firends and its the same they cant enter the server,(but i can enter to their servers  :(  :cry: im from colombia so idk english very well, this problem is of the port i se one reply but i dont understand sorry :(

greetings,negrolum
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: TERRORsphere on October 24, 2010, 04:57:55 AM
Quote from: "negrolum"
Hi every1
i have a question that i have from the demo and de full version the problem is:

When i host a server i cant se any1 on my sever i give the ip to my firends and its the same they cant enter the server,(but i can enter to their servers  :(  :cry: im from colombia so idk english very well, this problem is of the port i se one reply but i dont understand sorry :(

greetings,negrolum
Either you're giving out the internal ip when you're supposed to be giving out the external ip.

Also it sounds as if you need to forward ports. http://cutstuff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=751
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Anonymous on October 30, 2010, 10:11:41 PM
hi doomthroughdoom

no one reply on that post so i need that someone of the forum on one post some help on it

poor help,poor game :(
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Anonymous on November 20, 2010, 04:32:31 PM
the port said the server was in port 10666, but i made the server, checked Doomseeker, and didn't find it, even after forwarding the port "10666"

are there specific ports I need to forward and specific tcp/udp scr/dnt(?) stuff I need to use?
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: RainsLikeSnow on January 24, 2011, 08:52:28 AM
Will this appear on DoomSeeker?
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Duora Super Gyro on February 23, 2011, 02:25:41 PM
OK. does this work online to, or just offline. and if it doesent work online, how do i make an online server
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Mr. Sean Nelson on March 08, 2011, 10:45:39 PM
Thank you so much for this, I couldn't have hosted a server without it!  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Duora Super Gyro on March 22, 2011, 11:37:34 AM
How do you make a online server, my server is only local.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Duora Super Gyro on March 31, 2011, 05:00:02 PM
Can someone answer my question
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Proto Man on May 07, 2011, 01:03:55 PM
I have the same problem my server is only local not online!!!!!
 Someone please help me!!!!
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Nuy on May 07, 2011, 01:52:46 PM
...forward ports... >.>
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Gryrozx on January 15, 2012, 11:38:02 PM
What if I wanted to host a game through the Local Area Network method? Because I don't know if Skulltag would let me do Matches over LAN. If it can do LAN then how do I do it, because I am thinking about challenging my school yard buddies to a few sparring matches.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Hallan Parva on January 16, 2012, 01:10:54 AM
LAN hosting is even easier, though it takes a few different steps in its approach.
I should know, I used to host lunchtime matches during ye old SGC days. :lol:

1) Connect to the LAN network.
2) Host a server using the launcher like normal.
3) When the server settings window appears, type "ip" in the console bar.
4) An IP adress should appear in the server's log. Copy this.
5) Distribute the IP to your friends, and make sure they have the same WADs loaded up.
6) Connect, and it should work!

I've tried this with both wireless LAN networks (computer-to-computer) and "LAN with benefits" (locked/restricted school networks) and it works just fine. The one downside is that you have to manually load your WADs and you have to load them in the right order or you can't connect; since it's on a LAN network and not on the internet you can't be lazy and rely on Doomseeker to do all the work for you.

Hope this helps. :cool:
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: TAVO785 on August 13, 2012, 09:54:58 PM
I have created a password server, how my friends can connect? (where to put the password?)
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Orange juice :l on August 13, 2012, 11:09:46 PM
In the "Multiplayer" menu, there are two password slots. One is to connect to the server (I think it's named Server Password), and the other is to join the game. Have them type the password into the Server password option.
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: TAVO785 on August 17, 2012, 09:38:10 PM
Quote from: "Orange juice :l"
In the "Multiplayer" menu, there are two password slots. One is to connect to the server (I think it's named Server Password), and the other is to join the game. Have them type the password into the Server password option.


THANKS MAN! :D * brofist *
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Dark_Chaos on September 05, 2013, 02:47:14 PM
i forwarded my ports. but nothing is happening, i got on my computer today to finish the game and i find that all my progress has been erased. i'm fine with this as long as i can host my server.

but i cant, its not showing up on the server list even though the ports are fowarded. HALP!
Title: Re: [TUTORIAL] Hosting a server in the MM8BDM Launcher
Post by: Infernikko on October 14, 2017, 06:51:40 PM
Is the time limit in Minutes or Seconds?