Join from command line

[the_DM-Ohio]

I believe I asked this before but received no response, so perhaps it got lost in the clutter...

Are there command-line arguments that can be used to join to a server at startup? Specifically arguments for ip, port, and password?

If these don't exist, can they be added? Thanks.

[SoulSeekkor]

Cool idea, I could think of seem neat additions to Defiler for something like this...favorites server list, etc.

Someday maybe.

[the_DM-Ohio]

Originally Posted by SoulSeekkor

Cool idea, I could think of seem neat additions to Defiler for something like this...favorites server list, etc.

Someday maybe.

Looks like I'm well on the way to no response from the developers again. I really need the ability to join a server from the command-line.

[~C~]

There is no such feature currently in TQ or IT. It's actually a non-trivial feature to add because of the backend service we use for internet connection, and becuase of the architecture of our networking and address resolution system. Connecting directly to an IP address really doesn't work anymore, as many people are on broadband behind a NAT router. This means they have a local (non-unique) IP address for their computer, and you can't connect directly to it.

We run several algorithms to figure out the connection type and handle it appropriately, but it would not be easy to initiate that from the command line, as it requires detailed information we get for a server through the backend when you click on a server in the browser list. That information is dynamic, and created when the list is created. Because of that, it would be difficult to specify on a command line.

So it's unlikely we'll add that in the future, sorry.

[SoulSeekkor]

Alot have their routers setup to allow pass-through to their computers through the required ports, depending on the game or program. (Teamspeak for example, or Half-Life, etc.)

This couldn't be used in conjunction with it to allow that? I guess it's not a big deal nowadays, but would add some neat possibilities, like the 'favorites' list that could be added, though this could be within the game too.

Soul

[~C~]

Hi SoulSeekkor,

No, opening ports won't do anything, as the protocols to drill through a NAT router operate no matter how the router is set up (ports open, etc). The problem is determining which type of connection to use in a given case. It's certainly possible to create a different connection scheme, but it's difficult to make them coexist, especially when using a 3rd party matchmaking system.

There is a new protocol called uPnP to allow workstations to remotely configure routers in the way they need. Perhaps the next generation connection protocols will be able to use this and we can then have more flexibility. Although from what I've heard, it's not the most reliable or robust system yet.

I agree that a favorites list would be great, and that's definitely doable. We actually talked about doing that on IT, but had to cut it due to resource limitations.

[SoulSeekkor]

Okay, makes sense...an in-game favorites down the road would be cool if that's doable (resource-wise). Most people with broadband have the same IP all the time which works well for saving a simple list of named IP addresses (more or less), the only hard part might be pinging them and displaying current status for those, kind of like Steam does with CounterStrike.

Thanks for the reply.

[-Aerows-]

Originally Posted by ~C~

There is a new protocol called uPnP to allow workstations to remotely configure routers in the way they need.

"New UPNP" protocol as in the UPNP and Discovery that has been around since XP Beta 2? That "new" protocol ?

[the_DM-Ohio]

Originally Posted by ~C~

There is no such feature currently in TQ or IT. It's actually a non-trivial feature to add because of the backend service we use for internet connection, and becuase of the architecture of our networking and address resolution system. Connecting directly to an IP address really doesn't work anymore, as many people are on broadband behind a NAT router. This means they have a local (non-unique) IP address for their computer, and you can't connect directly to it.

We run several algorithms to figure out the connection type and handle it appropriately, but it would not be easy to initiate that from the command line, as it requires detailed information we get for a server through the backend when you click on a server in the browser list. That information is dynamic, and created when the list is created. Because of that, it would be difficult to specify on a command line.

So it's unlikely we'll add that in the future, sorry.

Thank you for the response. While I appreciate all the work that has to go into posting the correct ip and ports to the GameSpy master, I don't believe this pertains to my issue.

I would query the server before-hand, so I will have the ip, query port, and host (join) port. Unless I'm missing something, this is all you need from the GameSpy master to properly join the server.

Since I would already have all of this information, and know the server is active, I would like to just pass this to you in the command line, the game would launch and I would pick my character, then I would see a "connecting to xxxxxxx:xxxx" and I would then magically join the game. Ideally I could even pass my character name in the command-line too, to streamline the process.

I can understand if this is not a priority request since it does not, at first, appear to add any real value to the game. However there are many people that use 3rd-party server browsers for other games that would love to enjoy Titan Quest/IT from outside the in-game browser. Adding ip and port command-line options opens the door for this.

Without this, 3rd-party browsers can only provide basic support which is to launch the game. With it I can see where my friends are playing and join in with them, find new servers in my locale, keep track of my personal server, etc. All without ever having to launch the game.

I'd be happy to discuss this further outside of the forums. I have many users that are interested in this functionality. Thank you.

[~C~]

Aerows - yup, that's the one. We move slowly here in the networking world . Seriously though, you're correct in that it has been around for awhile, but in reality I don't think it's quite ready for prime time yet. Maybe in Vista it's better.

the_DM-Ohio - Unfortunately, it's not quite that straightforward. I can't really go into more detail than that in a public forum, but there is more to it than a simple direct connect. I totally agree with you though that it's a valuable feature. But because of the architecture of the connection system, and the functionality of the infrastructure we're connecting to, it's more complicated than it would appear.