Easiest way to play NWN2 co-op in 2024?

Neverwinter Nights 2 General
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I’ve never tried NWN2 in co-op mode, but now a friend has bought it and wants to try playing together. Can anyone tell me what we have to do in 2024 to make that possible, since GameSpy servers are down? I suppose the only way is to connect via IP? How is that done (assuming I know very little about the technical site of things)?

Could anyone help me or point me to the most up-to-date guide? I found some that say you have to use Hamachi, but it looks like that is a commercial program that you have to buy first?

I’m grateful for any advice!

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Click “Multiplayer,” enter your player information, the username and password can be anything you want, wait for it to timeout while it tries to connect to the old servers, then click “Direct Connect” and enter the required information there. @Olivier_Leroux

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@Olivier_Leroux

I know you are aware of my module, but it may interest you to know that it is designed to play in coop mode as well, and I put a lot of effort into ensuring setting up and playing coop is easier (stable) as can be for new players. Basically, as long as the host starts the game each session, then it’s easy enough for up to three other players to join the game, and even allows for an extra two PCs to join the party. It comes with a guide on how to startup and play coop.

My wife is currently running through a hosted session (by herself) just to test the coop setup aspects again, and apart from a couple of minor issues (which may also affect SP) she has not encountered any difficulties. Note, as normal, I am patching the campaign regularly anyway, and so any important updates will also be covered in the coming days and weeks, if required. And, if you did want to try it, I will be here to help support your MP coop sessions as well if it is ever needed.

And, so you know … You do NOT require Hamachi, but instead you can open ports on your router to allow direct connection, which is the best way to a play coop session. i.e. The HOST starts the game multi-player, and then the client connects via Direct Connect to your IP address. As I say, my own module has been tested as working/connecting fine and has been designed to work with multiple players as well as SP.

If you are interested, let me know if you try it, and I’ll try to be around as and when for any further guidance to help you and your friend(s) play. Only day I am not around is a Sunday. Thanks.

EDIT: A download link to some instructions I wrote a long while back, which I think show some help. (Ignore DM part, as that is no longer supported.) While quite old, the main gist of how to setup a coop game is still correct.

Basically, you can employ the SAME steps when starting the official game too. (Although, the OC does not come with the same warnings and help as my own does on startup, so just be prepared to ensure the host is properly up and running prior any clients joining, as that is the main point to consider.)

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These are the parts I struggle with, as someone who is not tech-savvy at all. I managed to create a fixed IP in my router settings, I think. But maybe that’s not enough? I don’t know what open ports means and how I do that.

My friend and I used the NWLauncher of the Client extension and we can see a list of servers now, but if we create one ourselves, it is not displayed in the list (despite “post to internet” checked).

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Figure out your computers internal ip, on your computers side of your router. Example:

192.168.0.1

Search “NWN2 Port forwarding” on the Internet for further help.

You likely need to log onto your router and PORT FORWARD the following to your computer/your computers ip behind the router:

UDP 5120-5300

Notice it’s UDP. not TCP.

Now, you may need to set Windows to allow NWN2/nen2launcher to have access to the Internet.

Also, you may need to set the Windows firewall to allow ports 5100-5300 to be open.

That’s all you really need to get connected, having your buddy connect directly using your external ip. Your router will sense activity in UDP ports 5100-5300 and will direct the traffic to your pc.

Concerning the server list, it may take a while for the server to refresh.

Most likely you’ll have to port forward a few other port numbers. Some should include UDP and TCP, I think. One of the other ports is used for 3rd party server info.

Like I mentioned, I’d have your buddy connect directly.

Now, your buddy may need to set the Windows firewall to allow NWN2, nwn2launcher, and ports 5100-5300 through.

Don’t give up. Your actually close.

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@Olivier_Leroux

Take a look at this site…

I lot depends upon your make and model of your router.

If you want to test if you have done it correctly, contact me and maybe we can sort out some kind of live setup and test a setup of my own module for you. If we get that to work, then you know others should work for you.

First, however, you need to open those ports, as described above. :slightly_smiling_face:

Here is an example of what it looks like when enabled…

NB: I know the site and others may only ever mention 5120-5300, but for some reason, these others were mentioned some time back, and so there may be a need to include them too.

{0F60DB7A-31C8-4B78-BD1D-C6E18511F53D}
{0F60DB7A-31C8-4B78-BD1D-C6E18511F53D}928×311 23.6 KB

I assume you know how to find your own external IP?

If not… https://whatismyipaddress.com/

One last thought … If you are playing in the same vicinity and using the same network, then you can simply use Join Lan game after the Host has started. The above assumes you are joining from a different location over the internet.

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I really appreciate you guys taking the time to walk me through these steps in such detail! I do feel kind of bad now though that I encouraged you to put so much effort into your replies, because after reading them, I’m not so sure I want to do this anymore. It all seems quite intimidating and risky to tinker with all these settings for someone who doesn’t know the first things about what it truly means. The link above makes it sounds like a VPN would be an easier and more secure way for a tech n00b like myself, though even using a VPN sounds intimidating to me. Plus, it’s mostly my friend who wants to play. I’m not really convinced yet that it would be that much fun, as admittedly I’m still not really comfortable with NWN2 after all these years. Personally, I’m happy enough just playing NWN. Which means at some point, the effort needed to make this work surpasses my motivation …

I guess I was secretly hoping it wouldn’t be that complicated. It’s a real pity that NWN2 will never get the treatment that Beamdog gave NWN, making MP just plug & play again …

Thanks for the suggestion! The assumption above is true though, there’s a whole big ocean between me and my friend, so unfortunately LAN is not an option. :frowning_face:

And for certain reasons he doesn’t have the option to make changes to his router settings, so it would be all on me. (Assuming it would even be enough for me as the host to open ports and joining players won’t need to do it - is that right?)

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Personally, I would find that harder (and potentially more expensive). :sweat_smile:

Do they live in a flat with a shared router locked to its users or something?

Anyway, the routers at both ends would need to be altered.

Also, while it may seem “intimidating”, it’s not so bad when you take a few steps to check. Worse case scenario, you may need to reset your router, but I can’t imagine it coming to that.

Basically, if you can access your router setup page (usually along the lines of 192.168.0.1 as @Axe_Edge said), then you can navigate the router “pages” just like a web page and alter its settings with “switches” from those pages.

As I say, if you ever want to try it, let me know. It’s really cool when you do so, as it adds a completely new level to the game. I have had my best fun with MP coop with this game.

Well, it effectively is already, but router security protocols are not automatic, and neither should they be. That is why they allow the user to open the ports. I believe things like Hamachi do offer some kind of alternative solution, but I have never had great success using that with some games and could not recommend it for NWN2.

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Yeah, something like that.

Okay, that completely rules it out then. Thanks for clearing that up!

Hopefully, the thread can still be useful to other users trying to get into NWN2 MP, at least. Thanks for all the contributions!

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