Well I opened Gameranger tonight, and saw someone was running TvT, I didn't have a clue what to do, so I tried various things and nothing worked, I couldn't join the game. It seems two others were having problems as the host shut the game down.
Not to be beaten, I decided to figure out how to host a game, and join one.
1. Do NOT run TvT.
2. Open Gameranger
http://www.gameranger.com/
3. All of the online TvT games that are running already are found at the bottom of the list. Around 8-10pm seems to be the fav time.
4. If one is running, click on it once and then click join. Ensure that there is a green dot next to the game listing, otherwise the host hasn't yet activated the server.
5. TvT will run automatically.
6. Select Multiplayer.
7. A complex looking screen will appear. It shou;d update to display GameRanger after a short while.
8. Check that your Gameranger name is at the top. Select Tiger or T34. Select a tank number.
9. Click on the Gameranger row.
10. Press F9. Numbers should appear at the top. Select Join. Numbers should appear at the side. If they don't then select Refresh and then Join again. It may take several attempts to get in. Once the game is running, press F9 to hide the numbers.
11. You will now be presented with the TvT screen as usual.
12. Unlike the single player mode, you don't see anyone else on the map. You have to find them before they find you.
13. If you want to host a game...it isn't scary!
14. Run Gameranger
15. Select Host
17. Type in an invitation line that will appear next to your name on the main list. Eg Novice here. Beginners welcome.
18. Then wait for someone to join, or just take a trip around the scenery.
19. It doesn't matter if you mess it up, you can't do any damage, and you see people playing around with it all the time!
The best games are the ones that are hosted in 'Expert' mode. This makes all operations manual, so no one can switch automatic gunner on and find enemy tanks using the 'radar'. I have had Tigers creep up behind my T34 and destroy me when I am not paying attention.
If you do get killed, your tank is resurrected and you rejoin the game. It goes on for a couple of hours some evenings, though each session is usually 30 minutes.
We need more UK tank commanders!! There are loads of Germans and Americans. The game is £23 off Amazon, and even though there are a few bugs in it, it is rated as the most realistic tank sim out there. Will you guys buy it?, you get to drive and operate the closest thing to a real Tiger or T34, and as the software is user configurable there are other tanks eg the Stug, being worked on by enthusiasts.
Cheers
Rob G
