Network Setup
F22ADF is an old game, and the Steam version is still based on a relatively old DirectPlay. Thus, you can only play over the local network (LAN). VPN software is outside the scope of this guide.
No need to buy again
F22ADF supports Steam Families. You can share your game with up to five family members in the local network; there is no need to buy it again.
Get your IP addresses
For your computers to find each other, you need their IP addresses. An easy way to do this on Windows is:
- Open the Start menu
- type cmd and hit enter
- In the console window, type ipconfig and hit enter
- The first IPv4 Address line displays your local address, e.g. 192.168.2.105. Take note of it.
- Repeat on the other system.
For old DirectPlay to work properly, the firewalls on both computers must be disabled. There is some online guidance on adding exceptions for DirectPlay port ranges, but we found that these do not always work. If you’re having problems, disable the firewalls altogether. You can do this in the Windows Security settings. Re-enable your firewalls after playing.
Host: Starting the Game
The host will run the whole simulation and distribute it among peers. It makes sense to use the fastest machine to host the game.
Start ADF and from the main menu, select Multiplayer.
- mp-1-main.png (104.33 KiB) Viewed 21 times
At the top, click Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay. (1997 ADF used to list modem and serial connections here, but we don’t need that these days.)
After that, click New Game at the bottom.
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Your computer has now become host. You should see the mission selection screen. Scroll down to the co-op missions; they start at SCUD Hunters.
Pick a mission, then click OK.
You are now in the waiting area, and your peers can join.
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Peers: Joining the Game
Start ADF and from the main menu, select Multiplayer.
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At the top, click Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay.
Then, click Join Game at the bottom.
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A small window will open and ask for the address of the host. Enter the host’s IP address.
Under Games in Progress, a new entry Host’s Game should appear. If it shows no games in progress, check your firewall settings. Verify that the computers can ping each other.
Click the game name once. The status should change to Connecting ... and, after a short while to Open.
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If the status changes to Closed instead, this can have two reasons:
- Host was too fast to start the game. You cannot join a co-op mission after it started – the airplanes are already seated by AI pilots!
- If the host is still waiting, it’s probably a race condition in the connection code. Sometimes it reports games as closed even though they aren’t. Cancel and repeat until it works.
Starting the Mission
All computers should see the briefing screen and weapon selection screen now. (Weapon selection is disabled for co-op; you can only use it in player-vs.-player games.)
Everyone click OK to join the game. Once everybody is in, the mission should start.
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Be aware: If one player pauses the game, it will pause for everyone.
If one player leaves the game (Esc, E), the mission ends for everyone.
If a player dies, they should stick around in SmartView (0 key).