Wanting to get into the game again |
Sun, 16 July 2006 18:58 |
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Davril2020 | | Civilian | Messages: 3
Registered: July 2006 | |
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I've been a long time fan of Stars! and would like to get into playing again. I've been trying to practice with my fiancee who enjoys the game in single-player mode, but I only have a single copy of the game.
Now, according to the manual if there's a host the host does not need a serial key. So we ought to be able to play 2-player games without needing a new copy but the manual helpfully states *that* the host needs no serial key but not *how* to set it up so the host does not need it.
I've tried everything I can think of but without luck.
Does anyone know how to actually fix this problem with two players where one is host? Failing that, does anyone know where I could obtain a serial key? I've looked around but haven't had any luck - I found one very suspicious looking site but that's it.
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Re: Wanting to get into the game again |
Sun, 16 July 2006 20:06 |
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If you both do turns on same computer then you are ok, no copy protection.
If you are looking to buy a serial number, there are none for sale except perhaps on ebay, or if somebody here offers again to sell theirs.
If you search autohost or the stars newsgroup, you will find info on serial numbers and a serial number generator on russian site.
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Re: Wanting to get into the game again |
Sun, 16 July 2006 22:52 |
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hmm, I can't find that generator any more... The groups post that had it was removed... I never downloaded it as Ron was able to supply legit serials at the time (kicking myself for that now, now I've got no way to introduce new friends to stars easily )
Well, now that Empire has failed to start selling new serials in first half of 2006 (like they said they would...) If they confirm they don't have any more plans to release serials, perhaps Ron might revisit the idea of supplying free serials. But the pros and cons of doing this is a topic that has been done to death already elsewhere on this forum.
Good luck finding a serial. I was lucky enough to be given a free one the last time I emailed Empire (I gave it away already though,) so if you were nice enough in your email, you might just get lucky. I think the one I gave away may well have been the last one they gave away for free though.
(BTW, a mod ought to move this thread to the bar)
[Updated on: Sun, 16 July 2006 22:52] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wanting to get into the game again |
Mon, 17 July 2006 03:32 |
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m.a@stars | | Commander | Messages: 2765
Registered: October 2004 Location: Third star to the left | |
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Davril2020 wrote on Mon, 17 July 2006 00:58 | I've been a long time fan of Stars! and would like to get into playing again. I've been trying to practice with my fiancee who enjoys the game in single-player mode, but I only have a single copy of the game.
Now, according to the manual if there's a host the host does not need a serial key. So we ought to be able to play 2-player games without needing a new copy but the manual helpfully states *that* the host needs no serial key but not *how* to set it up so the host does not need it.
I've tried everything I can think of but without luck.
Does anyone know how to actually fix this problem with two players where one is host? Failing that, does anyone know where I could obtain a serial key? I've looked around but haven't had any luck - I found one very suspicious looking site but that's it.
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Hi,
Just in case you didn't try this:
- Create your game, with all settings and as many human players as needed (say, 2). When you save the game, Stars! should not open the usual scanner/planet/message GUI, but the Host mode, with just a listing of players and their status (submitted, half done, dead...)
- For the human players to play this game, they need to launch another instance of Stars!. Within this instance, the player currently playing opens his/her m file in the usual GUI, and makes his/her moves, then closing his/her m file (save&submit) and surrendering the chair of command to the next human player.
- When all players are done, the Host instance will gen, unless you set it to "manual" and need to press a button.
- So, as the Host mode doesn't need a serial, only the "player mode" instance of Stars! will use the one serial you have. But you both have to play in the same machine, using this second "player" instance.
- Same applies, of course, if the Host instance is elsewhere, say at AutoHost.
- Last but not least, do encourage your fiancee to log in here, too. It's not only multiplayer throat-cutting in here, ya know.
So many Stars, so few Missiles!
In space no one can hear you scheme! Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wanting to get into the game again |
Tue, 18 July 2006 13:03 |
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Davril2020 wrote on Tue, 18 July 2006 10:51 | So ... wow. I guess there's no way to get back into the game then since I need a new serial so I can play two-player at home. That's a bugger.
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Wasn't there a shareware version that didn't need serial numbers at all, but only allowed small universes and the built-in races?
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Re: Wanting to get into the game again |
Tue, 18 July 2006 23:49 |
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Davril2020 wrote on Tue, 18 July 2006 19:51 | I mailed the people that made the game and they said there were no plans for a rerelease and that they weren't issuing any more serials.
So ... wow. I guess there's no way to get back into the game then since I need a new serial so I can play two-player at home. That's a bugger.
Thanks for the advice though guys.
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Umm, did you miss the bit where several of us pointed out you can play 2 player by taking turns on the same machine?
If you really want to play *simultaneously* you do have a few options still:
(1) Find the keygen
(2) Break the serial check with a hack
(3) Run a server OS and play in seperate terminal sessions that are connected to the same computer (haven't tried, but should be fine.)
(4) Find one of the old serials that are on the net, and play with a version prior to the j patches (that banned said serials.)
(5) Persuade someone to share their serial with you, on the promise you will only use that serial for LAN play (still a big ask, as it would be easy to accidentally play an online turn on the wrong PC without thinking about it)
[Updated on: Tue, 18 July 2006 23:49] Report message to a moderator
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