How to restart / restore a multiplayer game.

[Asid]

How to restart / restore a multiplayer game.

This function is implemented in patch V1.03. A procedure for restarting a multiplayer match using a saved game file is implemented.

The usual case you need this is when your match drops or a single player drops in the middle of match, but you can also use this if you want to play a match many hours long and you want to split it into many phases.

How it works:

Player 1 hosts a match, using the scenario "Alpha", for player 2, 3, 4 and 5.

After 1 hour of game, players 2 and 5 drops from the game.

Player 1 wants restart the match, so as first action he saves the game at this point; he gives to the save the name Player1 (in the file system it will be Player1.sav).

- second step: Player 1 sends the save file to all the players (2,3,4,5) of match

- Player 2,3,4,5 place the save file received in the save directory of game (in \Users\User\Documents\SowWL\Saved Games ) keeping the same file name (Player1.sav)

- Player 1 opens the scenario "Alpha" directory (usually under \Users\User\Documents\SowWL\Scenarios ) and create here a file with the name "restartmp.ini" (ini is the extension, make attention if you have the explorer option of hide know extension)

- Player 1 has to open "restartmp.ini" and write inside this
[files]
name=Player1

now he saves the file "restartmp.ini"

- Now all the players re-enter the lobby like the first time and Player 1 selects again the scenario "Alpha". All the players select their officers and Player 1 starts the match. If all has been done correctly the players will restart the game at the same moment of saving action, with the same values.

Warning:
- use only save files taken from multiplayer matches, not from matches of campaign or single player.
- Is not necessary that the host is the same player of first session, but the host has to do the same actions done by Player 1 above.
- the players can select different officers respect those of first session or more players (or less) can partecipate to the match.
- If an officer previously used by a player is leaved without human in the restart, it will start the match with TC on

[General Sandman]

So these instructions apply for scenarios, but what about sandbox-MPs?

[Asid]

So these instructions apply for scenarios, but what about sandbox-MPs?

It is the same.

It works in sandbox-MPs.

[Biondo]

Yes, it's the same. Basically, when you create a sandbox you are creating a scenario on the fly. It has the same structure.

It's temporarily saved in Netserv folder, in the Scenarios folder.

When you want to restart it's better to make a copy of Netserv folder and rename it, then put the restartmp.ini into this new folder

[General Sandman]

I assume the regular save function (ESC key then save game button) can be used or is there a different dedicated hotkey?