I'd like to play HOMM3 on our local network, but...

If I host a game, say, on IP address 192.168.1.121, and try to connect from another computer on the same network, it says it can't find that IP address.

YET, I can ping, share files, and do everything else between the two computers. They definitely see each other.

I've tried opening ports on the router to no avail. Perhaps I'm not opening the right ports the right way.

So... is someone playing over LAN TCP/IP, and if so, can you give me the recipe?

I don;t want to use things like GameRanger. We've tried GameRanger, and it crashes constantly, dropping a player or just disconnecting everyone. I just want to use local TCP/IP.

Thanks.


Note: I used to run HOMM3 over the LAN all the time, several years before GoG. And I'm fairly savvy about computer stuff -- it's what I've done for over 30 years.

If both computers run on the same LAN it should be easy.
There is no need to forward ports into the router.
Just check the following:

1) You run the exact same version of the game on both computers.
2) Disable ALL firewalls on both computers.
3) In Windows, check the order in which the network connections are accessed by the services and make sure LAN (or Wireless if you use that) is the first.

For more details on step 3 check these:
http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-vista/change-network-adapter-priority-in-vista/
and
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-the-order-of-network-protocol-bindings

Enjoy!

I was never able to get GOG's HOMM3 to work using TCP/IP mode in HOMM3. It took me hours to figure out a way to play multiplayer HOMM3 over the network. Basically, I simulate a "null modem" (called "direct connect" in HOMM3) over the network.

For people interested, I have posted a blog on how to do it:

Networking GOG.com's version of HOMM3 in Windows 7

It, sadly, only works for 2-player games, and it's only free in 32-bit Windows 7 (the simulated serial connection software costs $25 for 64-bit Windows 7).

(For the record, my blog's hosting costs are paid for by out-of-the-way text-only ads on the site)

I just answered this in another thread for HoMM 4, but the answer is the same.

Most older games that use Microsoft's DirectPlay library for networking have problems over LANs now, just like what you're seeing.

Use GameRanger to play it over the LAN, and you won't have these problems. You will all need internet access as well, however.

Is there any way to play the game Multiplayer random? As in just connecting to a server that puts together 8 players or w/e.

Hi guys, I don't have any problems with TCP/IP direct connection. I played with friend via Internet, only problem was firewall (i need to check why blocked app). Ping between us are avg. ~15ms (250~300 km).

I don't used any app network emulator/vpn. Only external ip for server.

Like @iuliand wrote - check those 3 points.

Regards,
Nerus

I just needed to disable UPnP on my router and it works now. Cheers.

Hi

I bought GOG version of HOMM3, and installed the 3D mod. Boot up Gameranger, and it says my Router is a Symmetra, and gives me a guide to fix this. My router is a TP-Link Archer C9.
I followed the guide, forwarding a port; Service Port 16000, Internal port 0 (turned into 16000 when i save), protocol UDP, IP adress 192.168.0.114. I also tried turning off UPnP (attachment 2), but that didnt solve the problem either.

So the guide didnt do anything.

If i ignore the warning and enter the lobby, i get a message that DirectX isnt installed, and links me to DirectX 9 installment. I have DirectX 12.
My mates whom i am trying to play with also have DirectX 12 installed, but it works for them.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thau

I would try the "null modem" setup now using:
- com0com from sourceforge: https : / / sourceforge.net/projects / com0com /
- COMbyTCP from sourceforge: https: / / sourceforge.net / projects / combytcp /

The frist tool creates a pair of (virtual) COM ports that are internally connected to each other directly (null-modem)
The second tool opens one of the ports and sends all input/output data over TCP/IP to the other player.
The other player should replicate the same setup. One player selects Server in COMbyTCP window, and she must forward the TCP port on the router if needed. The other player selects Client in COMbyTCP window.

Now both players have their second serial port available for use, connected to the remote port (on the other machine).

However, I do not have two Windows machines available at the moment to test this, so I would like to know if anyone was able to successfully play with such setup ?

--
Thank you,
Adrian Vasile Constantin

Well I just tried it and COMbyTCP crashes on my Windows 10 machine.
But the setup worked as intended using Serial-to-IP instead: https : / / sourceforge.net / projects / serialtoip /

I am still disapointed and sorry I can not get 3 players in the game with the null-modem setup :(

I have the same problem with the HOMM 4. 4 or 5 years ago, my friends and I played for Game Ranger normally... now... We Can't. The game doesn't start with 3 or more players. Just the get the same mensage "The conexion is lost" for the third player.
I don't understand the problem. Anyone can help me?
All has the same game (download in the same place)... but... we can't be happy again =(
PLEASE PEOPLE!

Using the mighty Platinum shovel!

I've purchased the game and have been non-stop trying to get two computers on the same network to detect each other.

I read the HOMM3 Manual about Multiplayer.

The setup:
- Desktop connected via Ethernet to Router. Running latest Windows 10 build.
- Laptop connected via Wi-Fi to Router. Doesn't have Ethernet. Running latest Windows 10 build.
- HOMM3 exactly the same. Downloaded and installed from my GOG account.

Tried to ping each other:
- Desktop could ping itself and the Laptop;
- Laptop could ping itself but not the Desktop.

- Turning Off Private Firewall while keeping Domain and Public On in Windows - Desktop - allows to be pinged by Laptop.

Both computers allowing HOMM3 to run freely on private network.
Only after 24h the Desktop had a request about DirectPlay. Didn't notice on Laptop but has the functionality activated.

- Attempted having UPnP off. Didn't work.
- Attempted having UPnP off and Private Firewall off. Didn't work.

I'm at a loss without knowing how to make the game work between the two computers. It has been a year and some updates provided but nothing addressing the multiplayer.

EDIT:
After many troubleshooting steps after I resolved my issue and the game is playable.
In my case after narrowing it down to firewalls the only thing required is turning off UPnP on the router settings.

Accidentally, many moons ago, I set my home-wifi as public network instead of private. After correcting that with all Windows Firewalls activated and UPnP off from the router is game on.

Literally have 0 idea what my issue is, my brother and I both installed GOG and managed to play a full game for several hours before we quit for the night. Decided to play another match the next day but for some reason I wasn't able to join my brothers game, I could visibly see that he was hosting one yet I couldn't join it. It gave me an "unknown error" error, so I downloaded the game on my laptop and had both my brother and myself host a game. I was able to join my game but not able to join my brothers on the laptop. I double and triple checked everything, port forwarding, UPNP, Microsoft DirectPlay, uninstalling and reinstalling yet now I can't even see any games that he's hosting. This is quite a mystery as the game was working fine for us at first and now refuses to work.

You're better using VSPE (Virtual Serial Ports Emulator) than downloading apps for each different function. VSPE includes a couple of different device modes, including TCP/UDP bridge. It's a decent app.
http://eterlogic.com/Products.VSPE.html

Check the Wi-Fi or Ethernet Network configuration. I went back and forth until that was left. It is enough to make everything fail. Need be remove the connections' interface, force the system to acknowledge new ones and configure as private.