any plan on trying to improve the "open to internet" option?

[EphemeralRain]

i dont really have the budget or need to just buy a whole server, just trying to play with one friend, and most other games work fine with that kind of option, but vintage story specifically really does not like the whole "hosting a local server to play with buddies for a few hours" thing. im curious if its an issue on my end and im just not understanding the guides, or if its just really buggy cuz indev. i love the game but i kinda struggle with keeping attention alone, so i do want to know if there's any plans for trying to make it more consistent or easier? if thats even doable?

[The Rat Liker]

i'm the friend that he is talking about, open to internet is difficult to use, i dont know what "port forwarding" is or how to do it.

[Thorfinn]

Welcome to the forums, @CTOAN

This came up a couple off versions back. Like @The Rat Liker, says, it's port forwarding. If you are going to open your machine up to a potential attack, you should understand that you've done so, as well as made the deliberate decision of how much you need to protect your computer, not just clicked on a button that leaves you swinging in the breeze.

Some find the directions a little cryptic. I'd just look up port forwarding on Youtube. If you can find one on your particular router, even better, but it's all pretty much the same.

[The Rat Liker]

any video i try to learn port forwarding from doesnt help me, the main thing we were asking for was a easier method on how to simply play with one other person instead of having to jump through several hurdles just to play with eachother.

[Thorfinn]

But that's what port forwarding is. You tell your router a specific exception to the rules the router uses to protect your computer from outside attack. Your router wants to keep you safe; port forwarding is basically you telling it you are fine with "barebacking".

There are alternatives, of course. Several game clients, like Steam and GOG Galaxy, as well as older systems like Blizzard's Battlenet basically handle that security for you. They have a specific name (and usually credit card) for each user so if something nefarious happens, they know who did it. They also do some rudimentary packet sniffing to make sure the packets are more or less what the game is expecting to see. But without that front end, you are on your own, hoping no one notices your computer and decides to have some "fun".

Might there be something like that in the future? Maybe. The current authentication server is a good first step. But you do lose all the advantages of an IP-based system. If such a thing is implemented, I sure hope there is an option to disable having a back door installed into my system.

Edited April 28, 2025 by Thorfinn