Mercs Getting On-Line(1)

Greetings and sensations Mech Fans. Vettie here back with another edition of Vettie's Views. This is basically “my take” on whatever the current subject is. Speaking of subjects, this issue is going to deal with Mercs installation and the “fun” it is to get to a working “on-line” version of Mercs.

Recently, there has been some new discussions on this in the Sunder Junkies forum found here http://bb.evilgeniuses.us/forum/viewtopic.php?t=936

I suggest that anyone reading this sign up to be a member of the Sunder Junkies even if you do not play in Sunder or Sunder II server. This site is run by Genghis Prawn and Mini-Me with a couple of admins thrown in, D-Day and Vettie, to keep the forums on a cool level (not that we have ever had to do that). GP runs a great site and folks go there for help with Mercs, to chat about stuff, learn about mechs and Configs and to keep up to date on the latest info about our beloved game. The Web site is www.SunderJunkies.com . If you sign up as a member, you will be able to POST responses to threads you read and may want to comment on, non- registered viewers can read, but not post. There will be no junk (Or junque as I spell it) mail and you wont get any bogus links. The owners and admins police their site and it is very safe.

Where was I? Oh yeah, Mercs installation for on-line play. Man, I'm getting old. Good thing I wrote this stuff down. So, as I was saying, many discussions on how to get your Mercs game ready to go on-line and kick butt. Moons ago, when MechWarrior4 Vengeance was released, it was pretty easy to get on-line. You put the disc in and installed the game (2 discs, but it told you when to change them out). After that, you started the game and set up your joystick, or mouse and you played through the campaign trying to save your sister (or not) and the Drasari family name. After some of that, you ventured to go to the website to find any updates to the game and once you were there you found out there were NEW Maps available for installation for on-line play! W00T!, Wait, w00t wasnt around back then, so YAY or something.

Most folks back then had dial up and there were many servers to choose from. You just tried a few until you came across one that played the game style you enjoyed and you just jumped in.

Let's get in the time machine Mr. Peabody (you old guys will remember that) and skip forward until today. MechWarrior4 Mercenaries is a whole new ball game. Most people, not all, but most folks have high speed connections either via cable or DSL. This means that most folks have a modem external to their PC and that modem could possibly be a router too, or many folks even have separate routers. Getting on-line just got three times harder, or twice as hard because you have to go through one or more devices to get to the internet. DOH! Not only that, but nowhere (yet) does there exist a simplified, one-step method to get your game up to date and ready to blast other MechWarriors to bits on-line. I say yet, because my friend Oneshot is on a campaign to get someone to create and publish this “potential” “oneshot” to being up to date.

Let me say up front that I am all for it, but I certainly understand why any group such as MekTek, Mechstorm, NBT, MWL or whatever will not do this. It has nothing to do with past histories with one another, its simply a matter of copyright issues (and the EULA stuff). Microsoft still owns the rights to the game and to PR1 patch. That combo is a two step process. Everything beyond that (assuming the MekTek team is okay with it) CAN be combined by an individual who is willing to put it up for FREE downloads. As long as no one makes any money from it, Microsoft is basically ok with you having a place to download PR1 and IF you dont make any money from it, they are okay (more or less and lots of legal stuff involved) with someone modifying the game. But you have to go through proper protocols to do so (good luck with that).

Let's look at the process of getting yourself ready to play with the fun bunch on-line as if we were n00bs and I will show you just how difficult it is to get there from the Mercs box you just acquired. This should be fun, huh? Along the way, I will tell you how to do it as easily as possible and give you the links to necessary downloads to help you out.

So here we go, n00b here just bought the game as I had to get my local GameStop (www.gamestop.com) store to order it for me or let me know when a used copy came in. the folks there were more than happy to do this because it means a sale for them and possibly more business from me in the future. Your area may have a different game store and if not there is always E-Bay (www.ebay.com) or Amazon (www.amazon.com) . You can get it cheap, no taxes (in most states) and just a little shipping charge.

Now I have the game and I cant wait to install it. Two discs just like Vengeance except that when you change to Disc 2, you dont have to click ok, it just knows... Because this game is older (10 years? If you include Vengeance?), there could possibly be some updates for it. So I go to the Merc4 website (www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/) and to my amazement there is a download section. I click the link and it only shows 1 update, something called PR1 (www.microsoft.com/games/mw4mercs/downloads.aspx) so I download and install it. Because I have a cable connection (or DSL), that didnt take very long to download and I am thinking, that's it, a ten year old game and only 1 update? Hmmm.

Next I run the game, accept the EULA from Microsoft and begin playing instant action to get a feel for the game. I start the campaign, but after a few missions I am wondering if this game is still played on-line and if so, how many folks are out there. So I try to go on-line with it. I will save the “ports” requirements and go over those with you later in this post. For now, the game will bring up a little window telling you it is currently blocked and ask you if it is okay to unblock or to keep blocking. It is VERY important that you click unblock, this will save you lots of trouble later in the life of this game. By clicking “unblock”, you are basically allowing direct X access to the internet through your firewall(s) even if you didnt know you had such a thing. I am then taken to a browser like thing that is supposed to list all the available servers out there for me to go into to kick some butt, but I only see like one or two and my ping to them is not so great either. Then I find out I cant even join any of them because they are running a green version that I figure out means they are running a newer version than I am. Hmmm. Only one download on the Mercs4 website and I installed it, but there are servers running a newer edition, how can that be?

Now I have to do some research. Being a BIG TIME n00b, I decide to go back to the Mercs4 website and check it out for info about newer versions. I do notice that where I got the PR1 update that there is a link at the top of the page for the community. Let me check that out, maybe something there will point me in the right direction. I am such a n00b, I didnt think about using Google (www.google.com) 1st. So I follow the header link called “community”. On that page is a little statement about mods, maps and so on with some links to different things. Dropship Command is a cool looking site but it has no download section that I can find right away so I go back. BattleCorps also is a cool looking site, but again no download sections that I see right away, again, I go back. Next I try this site called MekTek (www.mektek.net). As luck would have it, this one has a download section. I follow a couple of links (related directly to MechWarrior4 and then to MW4 Mercenaries) and I find a section called MekTek MekPaks (www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?automodule=downloads&cmd=viewcat&cat_id=4).

Being a total n00b, I have never heard of MekTek or the MekPaks, so I am wondering if it is a good idea or even a safe idea. I figure I can always uninstall and reinstall my Mercs game if I screw it up so why not? I click the link and it takes me to a new page www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?automodule=downloads&cmd=viewcat&cat_id=27
Crap, too many to choose from, how do I know what I need? The latest one looks to be MekPak 3.02b (English) (because I have an english installation) but it says it is only a security and bugfix patch... A little lower is one called MP3.02a (from PR1) (English). Hey, I just installed a thingy called PR1, maybe this is where I should start...

IT IS. Clicking that link takes you here
www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?automodule=downloads&req=idx&cmd=viewdetail&f_id=298

This, Mech Fans is a huge update to the game and a big file to download. Not only that, but once you get it downloaded, it seems to take forever to install. You might even think it is not doing anything or “hung” or “frozen”, but it is not, it is doing stuff so let it run, make a sandwich, listen to some tunes on the radio (not your pc) or MP3 player, or watch tv cause it can and will take a bit of time.

I almost forgot. This is a ZIP file and when you Un-Zip it, you will need to run the WNP Installer file. It will ask you for the file to install after you run the wnp installer, and you will be looking for the (only) WNP file in the folder where you un-zipped this download. I suggest that you download this ZIP file to a folder, not your desktop, and Un-ZIP it to its own folder. From there you can run the WNP installer and it will update your game. It may ask you to confirm the directory to be updated and if you ran a standard install for Mercs4, the location will be something like C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Mechwarrior Mercenaries. If you elected to install it somewhere else, be sure to point the WNP installer to that location.

Also, I should have mentioned this earlier, but now is a good time, IF you are running Microsoft Vista 32-bit version, you should install the Discs, PR1 and any MekPaks as an ADMINISTRATOR even IF you signed on as/with administrator abilities. You do this by right clicking the *.exe file and then clicking “run as administrator”.

Whew. Lot of stuff there and we are not done yet. Grab a drink or a smoke or both, we still have a way to go. Remember before you downloaded and installed that huge file from MekTek that there was one called MekPak 3.02b (english)? Now would be a good time to download and install that one. Here is the link
www.mektek.net/forums/index.php?automodule=downloads&req=idx&cmd=viewdetail&f_id=304

This “patch” is an *.EXE file so you wont need to Un-ZIP, just click on it when it is done being downloaded (or, if in Vista, right click the file and install as administrator). This file is smaller and doesnt take nearly as long to install.

Finished? Sort of. I suggest that you start the game now and see if it works. It should, but you will go through the EULA and screen setup stuff all over again, just like the first time you started the game. Also be sure to click unblock when it ask you you to keep blocking or unblock. This allows the game to access the internet (hopefully). The screen will look a lot different when you start up and you will be amazed at the stuff MekTek has added to the game, including infantry men and Elementals! DOH!

After looking at all the eye candy, you still have things to do before you can get on-line to play. If you have not installed the Microsoft MechPacks (2 discs, 1 = Clan and 1 = Inner sphere) then now is a great time to do so. Remember, if using Vista 32-Bit, install as administrator, if you are using Vista 64-Bit these Microsoft products will not work with Vista 64, sorry. Microsoft tosses in a few extra mechs with these packs, 4 four for each faction, if I am not mistaken. They can be fun but if you dont have them its not a big deal, MekTek gives you mucho more Mechs to play with. There is still MORE to do before you can get on-line! Dont give up, we are almost there. You will need to run the mekmatch registry fix and install bunches of maps.

Lets do the registry fix first because it is simple and easy to do. Go to “my Computer” (in vista it is simply called computer) and double click your C: drive (if that is where you did your installation of Mercs). From there double click Program files then Microsoft Games them MechWarrior Mercnaries. Inside your Mercenaries folder is a little file called “mekmatch” ( the icon for it may have what looks like little building blocks on a sheet of paper). Double click that file. If it ask you a question, agree or click ok and you are done with that part.

What this little file does is changes your game registry to look for the MekMatch Server instead of the Microsoft ZoneMatch server. Some time ago, Microsoft stopped supporting MechWarrior4 Mercenaries on Zone Match. In Fact, I dont even know if the Zone Mach is still working. All the servers (or I should say MOST of the servers) supporting Mercs use MekMatch to “advertise” on. Your in-game browser will now go to this service and you will see many more servers for you to choose from.

You can verify the change was made IF you are comfortable using regedit command. WARNING, you can really screw up things here if you dont know what you are doing, and I suggest you dont if you are not so savy. If you do feel comfortable, then In XP go to the run command and type regedit, in Vista when you click the start button in the search box type regedit and if a box comes up click continue. You will see a list of 4 or 5 things that start off with “HKEY”. The one you want is HKEY current user. Then click the little arrow beside software, again by Microsoft, and again by Microsoft Games. Now click (all these are single clicks just so you know) on mechwarrior mercnaries. On the right hand side of the window you will see several things, but the last entry on that side will be called Zoneserver. Under the data column it should say “mekmatch.mektek.net”. If it does not, then you can change it. To do so, single click on the Zoneserver on the right to highlight it, then at the top of the screen click EDIT. A drop down appears and click modify. In the Value Data box type – mekmatch.mektek.net and click ok. Then close the window and you are done.

Next thing you need are the maps that most servers use. Let me tell you folks, the MW4 Community has done a fine job with map creation. Literally hundreds out there to choose from. The best source to get most any map you will ever need is the MWL website. www.mechwarriorleagues.com/cgi-bin/main/index.cgi/
Once you click that link, across the top of the page, you will see a few headers, like “Home”, “Leagues” and so forth. Click on the one named “Ops”. A drop down window appears and the link you want will be the Map Management Console. This takes you to a new page. On the bottom right of the new page are 4 links under the MWL Map Pack section. MWL and Lord Magnus, have consolidated the Maps into 4 CDs worth of downloads. I suggest that you download each one and install them in the same order as they are listed. This will get you most every map in play on almost any server.

I also suggest that you download the Sunder II map Updater compiled by Lord Magnus. One of the most popular servers is called Sunder II. It is a Forced First Person, Puretech Mission Play server. This means you ALWAYs view the game from the cockpit view (as if you were driving it) (THIS IS NOT A PLACE TO ARGUE 1st Person View vs 3rd Person view or puretech play) and that your mech must have the same tech base weapons installed as that of your chassis. If you are using a Thor, then the weapons must be all Clan Weapons. If you are using an Argus, the weapons must all be Inner Sphere. Simple as that.

Lord Magnus is a map creator that has submitted several new mission play maps for the community (as well as others maps). One of the problems that players ran into was that they either didnt have the right version of a map or had it installed in the wrong spot. Magnus created a program to check your mission play maps and to make sure they are installed correctly and are the same version that is used on the server Sunder II hosted by Oneshot. If you dont have the maps in the right place, or if they are out of date, the updater (hosted by GP at the Sunder Junkies site) will install the correct maps and/or update your current ones so that you are in sync with Sunder II. The process is simple, easy and relatively quick depending on what you need installed/updated. This can be found by going to the Sunder Junkies web site at www.sunderjunkies.com
When you get there, dont go to the forums this time, instead click the LINKS tab on the left (bb.evilgeniuses.us/links.php)
in the middle of that screen you will find several useful links, but we are looking for the one called SunderJunkies Missionplay Map Updater.
(www.sunderjunkies.com/downloads/Mapupdater.html) After downloading this, and again, dont download to your desktop, make a folder for it. Unzip it in that folder and run the updater application. It will run and the launch the map updater. If you have installed your Mercs into the standard directory the map updater will start checking your maps. If you installed it elsewhere, you have to put in your directory info. Let it run. It gives you info at the bottom. Click ok to install the updates and let it do its job. When it is done, you are MAP ready to go on-line and play in Sunder II server or most any other servers.

If you are behind a router, you may have to open some ports so your game will work. You will know this when you go on-line and you click to join a server and you get a message that says something like “~there were networking problems or the server may be gone~” or something very similar. If you get this error, you will need to open some ports.

There is no “all in one” way to do this, it depends on your router and how you “address” it. If you need help, post some questions in the Sunder Junkies forum and the fun guys there will help you as much as possible. The ports you will need opened are as follows
2300-2400
47624
This should do it for most installations. If not then a few more ports to open (and by open we mean forwarded for your INTERNAL IP ADDRESS)
6073
19200
27999-28800
Again this depends on your machine, your firewall(s) and your router. The ports listed above should cover most any installation.

Another thing you will eventually need is the safecast repair programs for The Microsoft Clan and Inner Sphere Mech Packs. These little utilities will fix problems you MIGHT incur with the Microsoft Mech Packs, such as loosing the mechs. The fix is a small install and only takes a few minutes to run, but you do need your Microsoft Mech Pack(s) disc(s). These utilities can be found at our friends at NetBattleTech (who also offer there own mod to the game known as Hardcore). The links are as follows
Inner Sphere Pack
download.microsoft.com/download/Mechwarrior/utility/sdhd/W982KMeXP/EN-US/INNERSPHERESAFECAST_Repair.exe

Clan Pack
download.microsoft.com/download/Mechwarrior/utility/sdhd2/W982KMeXP/EN-US/CLANSAFECAST_Repair.exe

Now all this seems like a lot and it is but the simple steps are listed here
Install Mercs
Install Microsoft PR1
Install MekTek PR1 to MP302A
Install MekTek MP302A to MP302b
If you have them, Install Microsoft Clan and Inner Sphere Mech Packs.
Run MekMatch registry update
Install Maps from MWL
Install Magnus Sunder II Map Updater
Open router ports if needed
Get on-line go to Sunder II server and kick some butt!!

I suggest that you save these downloads and (maybe even) transfer them to a DVD. If you ever need to re install, you have everything in one place.

I want to take a moment to thank all our friends listed in this post. Not in any order, The Sunder Junkies, MekTek, MWL, NBT, Microsoft, Genghis Prawn, Oneshot, Lord Magnus and I really hope I didnt leave anyone out. These good folks make it possible for you and I to continue to enjoy this game known as MechWarrior4.

If you know of anyone that is interested in playing Mercs, but doesnt know how to get started, send him (or her and yes we have some ladies that play the game and play very well, hugs to Katt and Lady Zee) to this site or have them pop me an email. The Sunder Junkies Web site is also a great place to start and learn much about mech configs and who the players are. Hopefully, some of my earlier posts will give you some insight to the mechs that I have reviewed so far and help you select what is right for you.

This is a great game when played “on-line” and there are some great players out there. Many of the folks in sunder II (or at the Sunder Junkies web site) are more than happy to help a n00b get up to speed. Remember also, if you are a true n00b, you are gonna get your socks handed to you a lot at first, but it wont take long for you to figure out how to hide and get your own blows in before you get destroyed. Domt give up. I been playing this game since the MW2 days and I learn something new every time I get in the cockpit. Its a fun game and I have even said it “may” be the best on-line game ever.

Good Luck and w00t!