This tutorial will teach you how to play Stronghold Crusader Muiltiplayer using TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay.

**For an easier method, see my page here: How to play Stronghold Crusader online with GameRanger.

This method of multiplayer allows people to connect to a host over the internet. The host runs the game while the other people enter the host’s IP address to connect to their computer. If you are on a LAN, it’s only necessary to enter the host’s local IP address, seen here:

Note: You may need to forward some ports despite being on a LAN (if you are behind a router). See instructions below.

If you are playing over the internet and you are not behind a router (or a modem with routing capabilities), you will not need to forward any ports. Simply figure out your IP address by going to www.ipchicken.com and have all the people who are playing with you insert that IP once you’re hosting the game.

If you are hosting a game over the internet or a LAN and you ARE behind a router, you will need to forward several ports first. If you aren’t familiar with this, you can research online and/or read this tutorial (it may or may not help you, depending on the brand of your router) How to forward ports on a Linksys router.

The ports you need to forward are:
2300 to 2400 for TCP and UDP.
47624 for TCP and UDP.
6073 for UDP.