New to multiplay - how? (FSX)

[jpreou]

Hi there. New to the forums (activated just today). Been reading some of the articles on multiplayer but frankly a little confused as to which way to go, in fact even *if* to go.
I've been flying sims on and off in a 'game-y' kind of way for some 30 years or so. Never really got serious and even now am only semi-serious.
My current interest lies in trying to make FSX as cloase as possible to an Alpha 160 flying out of Hamilton while I pursue a PPL.

My setup so far includes a laptop with an external 24" monitor. I sit in an Obutto R3volution with a Logitech joystick front and center. I look around courtesy of TrackIR, steer around using a set of pedals and trim using a Saitek trim wheel. Winging their way to me are a Saitek switch panel and a Saitek TPM. I run FSX with the acceleration pack, default install no 'speed tweaks' and it goes ok; not blistering, but adequate. I have VLC and a bunch of free and paid NZ scenery from FS Creations and Godzone, which looks ok. I also found and downloaded a free Alpha aircraft (thjough I do question its flight accuracy). All in all, the sim is coming together nicely.

So currently learning all my checks and getting to grips with RT and circuits, I started to have two thoughts:

1) was there a way to get better ATC
2) is there anyone in the virtual skies to interact with (I quite enjoy formating on the AI planes from time to time)

So I checked out mutiplayer in FSX, couldn't get connected and then found on this forum that Gamespy may well have been taken offline.

So, any advice for a new pilot looking for some online GA action? I can handle the planes ok, in simple flying terms, even the helis, but I'm a long way from big jets and flight plans and IFR, that's for sure. Not even sure I'll ever go that far either; I'm only in it for fun.

Cheers.

[Ian Warren]

Hi ya Jpreou , First off all , Welcome to NZFF forums and to getting into multiplay (MP)

After a good MP last night with a couple of long standing NZFF members , our Doug and Greg we can all help you easily get you started , once running you will find it so much fun as i did last night .

In game for least 30 years plus its now time to get you started in the fun world were many thing you speak to yourself but in fact speak to your computer .. you will want a headset or me prefer a desktop mic - then install a little program called Teamspeak 3 (TS3) , this makes control tower , or cross chat between aircraft or even a great help desk to get you started .

[SeanTK]

Hello and welcome to NZFF, "jpreou".

I'll get into what you need straight off.....

Yes, Gamespy was shut down within the past few days, but I am not aware of many that even bothered with the shoddy service that it provided. Most of us did the following:

Download and explore how to use FSHost Client 1.2 (or whatever it's up to now)
http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost/

It really is quite intiutive, so I'll get right into how you connect. There are a variety of multiplayer servers out there hosted by various flightsim websites. NZFF has one (when it works), Simviation has one (password protected but PM me), and Sim-Outhouse has one. There are others, but those are what I use.

SimV: fs.netfrag.org (requires password)
Sim-Outhouse: www.sim-outhouse.net, port 23456 (for free flight)
NZFF: 203.114.130.15 (shows up as InspireNet)

What I do is the following:

Start FSX
Select aircraft, location, etc, then load the flight.
Switch to windowed mode (required unfortunately if you wish to see FSHost's chat window as FSHost is an external program), and get that window as big as I can make it.
Go down to my task bar (where I put an FSHost icon) and start FSHost.
Type in my IP/URL of choice in the connect window, wait for it to pop up, and connect.
Minimize the larger FSHost status window while retaining the chat window.
Move the chat window to a convienient location on the screen.
Click back into the FSX window and make sure the FSHost window doesn't dissappear behind the FSX display (sometimes will do that if you don't start the programs in the right order, or if Windows decides to fight back that day).

You should now be connected to the multiplayer server within FSX, though FSHost, complete with chat window.


One benefit of doing it this way (not that you have a choice now) is that you retain the Microsoft ATC and your AI traffic. Other human players will NOT be able to interact with your ATC or see your AI, but if they are using FSX as well, they should receive similar ATC instructions if both of you are flying the same flight in same/similar weather.
This also allows you to fly in FSX while others connect and fly with you using FS2004.


ATC question:
"Better" ATC can be accomplished through the following-
1. Download EditVoicePack, install it, and have it speed up the wav files to the maximum speech setting. The ATC actually sounds normal now, and has many, many more callsigns! Also can set for either FAA (US/North America) or ICAO (Europe/rest of world) rules.
http://www.editvoicepack.com/

2. Go to VATSIM and interact with human ATC, where available.
http://www.vatsim.net/
Note: VATSIM is designed around real world procedures and can be rather intense and daunting sometimes. It's rewarding, but it's not a network really meant for just meandering around. While they support VFR flight and light aircraft, 99% or the people on there seem to be IFR in jetliners.


People to fly with:
I usually try to be online for a while every other weekend or so depending on what's going on, but I'm in the eastern US, so it can be difficult to coordinate with the Kiwis here. If you post in this forum, I'm sure you'll find some takers. SimV has a relatively active community as well if you manage to join their forums. Haven't had a lot of success finding people on Sim-Outhouse, but you can try.

Let us know any other questions that you may have.

[scaber]

There are a number of possibilities:

1. Beyond Gamespy - this page gives a number of possibilities
2. Digital Theme Park Blog also talk to them via TeamSpeak at the following address: ts3.digitalthemepark.com
3. OZX Flying Club
4. Also you can set up your own direct connections (thought the host will need to set up Port Forwarding on their modem) Ian, Doug and I have all hosted sessions using this method with good success.
5. FSHost - though this can best (in my opinion) be used via other communities where you can get to know the people you will be flying with (though I guess it could equally work the other way round but my experience has been via a community)

I'm sure that Google will turn up a lot of other options as well as these.

[jpreou]

Thanks Guys. I usually have a couple of hours to myself on a Saturday morning when the Wife takes the kids out (four; count 'em!).

I'll try to follow some of the instructions above and see how I get on tomorrow morning. I have a set of headphones around here somewhere, a couple in fact, but I'm not sure whether they have microphone or not. I've been thinking about the Saitek headset, or something similar. Alternatively, I picked up a set of David Clark the other day and I think you can buy adapters to plug them into USB. Any feedback welcome.

My Saitek switch panel and tpm arrived and improve the realism. Also haven't decided whether to worry about the radio panel; I interact with the ATC window but whenever I set the frequency manually the ATC window disappears. That would be a pain in the backside if the radio panel did that also.

Will let you know how I get on after tomorrow.

In other news, had a good session of circuits yesterday out of Hamilton. Shame the instructor was only a 'C' cat, otherwise he would have sent me solo. Will have to wait until next lesson now and hope I don't 'go rusty' in the meantime. Probably for the best, actually, because it was pretty busy out there and I was struggling to keep on top of the radio in late downwind / finals when everything got a bit frantic.
Cheers
Jeff

[Fozzer]

With FS 2002 & FS 2004, connection to Multiplayer is easy-peasy!
Connection can instantly be made from within the FS 2002 & FS 2004 program!
...just enter the IP address, and connect, and you are away.

As Sean describes above, a similar Multiplayer process for FSX can be achieved by installing, and running; "FS Host Client", from Chocolate Software...
...just type the IP address in the box, and you are away again!

Press "Enter" and the Chat Window will open!

Paul...FS 2004...FS Navigator...(and FSX)... ...!

Running; "FS Host Spy" will show all the FS Host Multiplayer Servers, their IP addresses, and who is on line!...lots of them out there!

http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/