Starting a multiplayer game

Overview of multiplayer games

Four Winds version 2 supports multi-player games over the Internet (TCP/IP), local area network (TCP/IP or IPX/SPX), modem or serial cable. Up to four human players and 10 spectators can participate in the game (with direct connection via modem or serial cable only two human players are supported).

One of the players acts as a host. The host informs the other players of the game events and only the host can save a game. Notice however, that if the host leaves the game, another player will take the host's place (note that this may cause problems in a game that is played over the Internet, since there are certain requirements for the computer of the hosting player).

All players participating in the game must use the same communication channel (e.g., it is not possible that one player communicates through TCP/IP and another through IPX/SPX or modem).

The features that are specific to a multiplayer game:

Players can leave the game whenever they want to. A computer player automatically takes the position of the player who leaves the game.
New players can (if allowed by the host) join the game anytime during the deal, as long as there are free seats (i.e., all seats are not occupied by human players).
The other players' hands can't be exposed.
There is usually a timeout for claiming and discarding a tile. If the specified time runs out, the player is logged off.
Players can't open a game file while playing in the network mode.
Game statistics and high scores will be kept only for players with a registered version of Four Winds 2.
Only one deal can be played with an unregistered version of the game. In addition, players with an unregistered game cannot join in a saved multiplayer game, nor can they join a game where more than one deal is played.

To start a multiplayer game, choose Start a multiplayer game command on the Game menu. A wizard guides you through the steps needed to establish a network connection.