server running without Internet access?

[exibar]

Hi all!
I'm going to be hosting a LanParty for my boyscouts. We have the typical FPS games, and a couple other RTS games ready to go, but I really REALLY want a cool racing game for them to play. Sounds like Trackmania is just the ticket!

My main question is this:

Is it possible to run a dedicated server that has zero internet access for game play? I'd like to boys to load up trackmaina through the loader I give them during that night, then connect into my server that will host the game.

is this possible without any internet access at all?

thanks all!
Mike B

[TMarc]

for the setup phase you certainly need to download some files, e.e. TrackMania full installer, dedicated server, and title packs, but then the dedicated server can run on its own.
Then on the game clients you only need to create local accounts, and then start a local play, and connect to local network. If you have all firewalls setup properly you should be able to see the server directly.

Besides this you don't even need to provide a maniaplanet login to the server script, or in other words, you don't need to register your local server to the ManiaPlanet webpage.

But be aware that the players will not gain points they can user later.
If someone wants to play using his already existing ManiaPlanet account, his PC at least needs a connection to ManiaPlanet, unless he brings his own PC to your party.

[exibar]

That's awesome! Yes, I certainly don't mind downloading the software and all that to setup the server itself. I don'e even mind setting up the server with internet access.
But when it comes time for the boys to play, the server and none of their PC's will have internet access.

Sounds like I can do this with local accounts, sweet!

any chance there's a tutorial for setting up a dedicated server?

I'll start diggin in and get the server setup! whoot!

thanks!
Mike B

[TMarc]

There are a few hints on the documentation page, and you'll find tutorials about setting up servers in the net.

For a easier start, I have created a set of local batches and configuration files already a while aog, then you can start the individual titles separately. Just download, extract and move to the correspondig folders where you have extracted the dedicated server (you could use Beyond Compare to compare the zip and the folders)

I did not try to setup the TrackMania² title yet, but I think it is not required for your needs anyways.

Best would be to start a Stadium server. Some maps are already provided.
You can use different matchsettings in the batches.
Or you create your own matchsetting with all available maps at once for one title, this is also possible.

And if you ever should not like the original maps, on http://tm.mania-exchange.com there are thousands of new maps created by the community.

[exibar]

ok, why am I haveing such a difficult time

Looks like I have the server running, thank you for the batch files!

I loaded TMStadium on a separate computer, and hen I run it I choose "play offline"... I get a screen that pops up with a few DVD game boxes... I choose the statdium one, it asks "for everyone" or "for just me"... I click on "for everyone" and the screen goes back to the DVD boxes... the game never plays, there's never a chance for me to enter a server name or IP address....

so what am I doing wrong?

Mike B

[TMarc]

yeah, sorry, you need to have the computers online at least for the complete installation process, and then you need to login using your existing acount at least once on each machine. Or create demo accounts online.
Then only you can create local guest accounts, but those are only working as additional players for e.g. local split-screen or local hotseat game, but not for individual multiplayer gaming.

I just tried. New demo account offline: cannot install any title, no stations menu visible.
Existing demo account offline: installed titles cannot be played (error message: "Could not install or update title's files" )
Local (Guest) account offline: same as new demo account offline.
I also got the message if I would like to connect local account to online account, so there is some need to be online.

Summary: Unfortunately the demo accounts are not working offline

Would this be a problem?
While all mates also have internet connection for the demo account creation, they could still connect to your local network dedicated server.

[exibar]

thanks for verifying for me.... I do appreciate the help!

yah that's a huge problem though ;-(

there will be zero internet access during the LanParty, none what-so-ever, not even for a login or anything like that. all the boy's systems will plug into one switch and they'll connect into ONLY my servers that are local... nothing will be plugged into anything that is internet routable...

so there's no way to create accounts on the local server and have the boys login to those to play? that's really a bummer, as I was hoping to have a cool racing game for them to play, and Trackmania sure is cool

If there's anything else you can think of, please let me know.... anyway to setup a trackmania login server? I could setup 25 accounts (scout1, scout2, etc) on that server... no official points or anything like that... we dont' care about that stuff for tht night, just wanna play the games together and have fun

thanks!
Mike B

[TMarc]

you can try to contact Nadeo.
Send a PM to Cerovan, or write a mail to maniaplanet@ubisoft.com

More details here: We support Lans and events
There is written "please request at least one month in advance"... will this be enough time for you?

[exibar]

That's cutting it really close... I'll PM Cerovan and see if there is anythign that can be done.

thanks again!
Mike B