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Multiplayer

To begin a multiplayer game, press the ?Multiplayer? button in the Main Menu. Then you can choose between two multiplayer modes: LAN or Hotseat.

Local network or Internet multiplayer game (up to four players)

Create Host ? Creates the host net server.

The player who creates the host can choose the map for the game. By default, the name of the host matches the name of the player?s profile, though it can be changed.

Maps have a maximum number of players. It is shown by the number on the map?s icon. Maps have a maximum number of players. It is shown by the number on the map?s icon.

After connecting to the host server, players can choose the faction they will fight for. It can be done by clicking on the faction?s icon. The chosen faction will be highlighted.

Here, you can also select the turn?s time limit. By default, there is no limit. If a player has chosen a faction, it will not be selectable by the other players.

Any faction in a multiplayer game can be managed by AI. To assign AI to the faction, press the small button labeled ?Computer? near the faction?s icon.

When all factions are set, players must apply their choices by pressing ?Ready.? After all players have confirmed, the host can press ?Start? to launch the game.

When a turn shifts to another player, the other players will receive a message about it. It can be closed by clicking ?OK,? at which point it is possible to see the movement of enemy units on the map, if they aren?t covered by the fog of war.

Join ? Join a LAN game.

On the ?List of servers,? you can see names of all LAN servers that have been found.

To join an unlisted server, you have to enter its IP address in the address line and press the ?Next? button.

Multiplayer chat

During a LAN game, it is possible to send messages to other players using the multiplayer chat window. All sent messages are shown in the upper-left corner of the screen.

To write a message, open the chat window by pressing ?Ctrl + ~?.

When the message is written, choose to whom it will be sent: to all players or to one in particular. Press ?Enter? or click ?Ok? to send the message.

When the chat is open, it is possible to read the log of all messages.

Saving a multiplayer game

During a multiplayer game, only the player who created the game can save it.

Loading a multiplayer game

A host server will be automatically created during the loading of a saved multiplayer game. All players must again choose a faction. Note that players may choose factions they had not selected prior to saving, and that AI players can be set for any faction.

If one player leaves the game, all others will receive a message about it.

The game may still continue, as the AI will manage the army of the departing player.

If the host leaves the game, it will end.

Hotseat

Several players on one computer.

First, you have to choose the map for the game. In the Hotseat mode, this is done in the same way as in a LAN game.

Players then choose the factions they will play. After all players have chosen their factions, click the ?Start? button to start the game.

In the Hotseat mode, as in the LAN mode, any faction can be managed by the AI.