- 3.1 Hosting a Netplay Session
- 3.2 Joining a Netplay Session
- 3.3 Unable to Connect
- 4.1 Configuring Netplay Buffer and How to use the Data Tab
- 4.2 Network Tab
- 4.3 Checksum
- 4.4 Other
- 5.1 Setting Up Standard Controllers for Netplay
- 5.2 Setting up Standard Controllers When More Than One Player is on a single PC
- 5.3 Setting up a Spectator
- 5.4 Controlling GBAs on Netplay
- 5.5 Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD Netplay
- 5.6 Netplay with Wii Remotes
- 5.7 = Using Wii Remote Netplay prior to 5.0-17527
- 6.1 Mismatched ISOs
- 6.2 Mismatched SD Card
- 6.3 Netplay Between Different Recompilers
- 6.4 Memory Card Desyncs
- 6.5 Wii Remote Desyncs
Requirements
- The game you want to play MUST be in every player and/or spectator's gamelist.
- Bandwidth requirements are very light: any DSL or Cable internet connection should do. However, the internet demands rapidly increase as more players are added. Because the latency (ping) of the internet connection determines how low input latency can get, using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi usually improves the gameplay experience.
- Each player must have their own copy of the game, and the region and game revision of all copies must match. While most compressed game formats are compatible with standard ISOs (with NKit being a notable exception), it is heavily recommended that all players use identical dumps.
- All players must use the same Dolphin version. Newer Dolphin versions are more likely to have fixes for Netplay. Many users opt to use the latest beta versions from the official website. It can be isolated from your main Dolphin profile by using "portable.txt" or creating a special shortcut. Dolphin will not allow users to use mismatched versions for Netplay, to prevent desyncs.
Setting Up Dolphin
Your Netplay Experience will greatly vary depending on what version of Dolphin that you are using. Because Dolphin 5.0 is lacking so many netplay features, we highly recommend to use either the latest available beta or dev build. Dolphin 5.0 won't have have Wii Save Synchronization ( 5.0-8478 ), Automated Settings Synchronization ( 5.0-8502 ), Cheat Code Synchronization ( 5.0-9032 ), Synchronize All Wii Saves ( 5.0-9037 ) as well as protections for recovering saves if Netplay crashes. If you're looking to play a Wii title that requires using Wii Remotes and/or their attachments, it is highly recommended to use 5.0-17527 or newer as Wii Remote Netplay has been rewritten and standardized to netplay conventions.
If you're inexperienced with netplay, then the biggest rule of thumb is not to change too much and try to follow this guide, as it will go through most of the important things to know. The following information reflects the latest available development build as of its writing.
Starting a Netplay Session
A Netplay Session in Dolphin is started before actually running a game. You can setup a netplay session from the Tools Menu → Start Netplay Session for options for joining or hosting a netplay session. If you wish to join a public netplay session, you can use the "Netplay Server Browser" available in 5.0-8478 or newer.
Hosting a Netplay Session
If you wish to host netplay session, there are a few things to keep in mind. You'll have the option to select a specific port, along with host via direct connection or the traversal server. You can also set a name for yourself so that you can be identified in the player list.
- The player with the best internet, and in the geographic center when playing with 3 or more players, makes for the best host for slowest input latency.
- The host player should not be on a network with a Strict NAT. Any player on a Strict NAT, even joining, may need to manually port forward. On more permissive NATs, the traversal server option will allow you to host without port forwarding.
- Port Forwarding is different for every router/modem, so we cannot give exact instructions or how to do it. If you do not have admin access to your router, you may not have the option of Port Forwarding.
Once you've selected a game and are finished, you'll enter the host netplay menu. If you've hosted via the traversal server, then you'll have a code to distribute to the players. Otherwise, you'll need to distribute your IP and port. Note that if you're behind multiple routers, there may be additional complications. You may need to manually obtain your IP Address if Dolphin displays a local one when using Direct Connect.
Do note that you can host on the traversal server, but still allow certain users to direct connect if you trust them with your IP. This is particularly useful for LAN games, where the traversal server connection method will not work. You can allow outside players to connect over the traversal server while you can have local players connect directly with your IP and port. Note that using the Traversal Server does not add any latency - it is only used for connectivity.
The host of the netplay session has additional responsibilities, such as configuring the input buffer, enabling/disabling various netplay features, and assigning netplay controllers for all of the players.
Joining a Netplay Session
Joining a netplay session is simple. Simply set your name to whatever you want it to be, and enter the host's traversal code or IP address depending on how they've hosted. If using direct connection, you'll need to connect via the host's IP Address and the port they are hosting on. Once you've joined the netplay session, you simply need to wait until the host starts the game.
Unable to Connect
If you're unable to connect, there are a multitude of common reasons.
- Strict NAT: If the host or clients have a Strict NAT, the traversal server may not work for connection. The host must manually port forward in this case and all clients will have to use direct connect with the IP address and port forwarded.
- Firewall issues: If the users firewall blocks Dolphin and it cannot communicate with the internet, then netplay will not work. If you run an aggresive firewall, be sure to make an exception for Dolphin so it can communicate over the internet.
- Version Incompatibilities: Older builds of Dolphin did not warn users if their Dolphin builds were incompatible. This means that sometimes netplay may fail to join without any notification. Newer builds have an error message specifically for this.
Because every router is different, you may need to consult a guide specific to your router in order to port forward.
Configuring a Netplay Session
Configuring Netplay Buffer and How to use the Data Tab
Once a session is hosted, the host has the opportunity to adjust netplay settings before actually starting the game. These settings may be crucial to the enjoyment of your netplay session, so please review them carefully.
- Buffer: At the bottom of the screen is the buffer option. Buffer is the amount of latency added to inputs. If you're noticing slowdown and stuttering even on very low impact scenes like a game's splash screens, odds are the buffer is too low and you might need to increase it. A simple formula that is accurate for most titles is 1 pad buffer per 15 ms of latency per client. Two players at 50 ms latency would be roughly 3 - 4 buffer, where as three players at 50 and 65 ms would be roughly 7 buffer. Depending on your computer's performance (higher performance computers finish frames sooner, meaning slightly less buffer may be needed) and the quality of your internet, you may need to adjust this. Sometimes poll more/less than others, which may result in the formula not working at all.
- No Save Data: This setting is when you're playing a game that does not need save data and you do not need to record your progress. The netplay session will be entirely contained inside of itself, and will not permanently save any data.
- Load Host's Save Data Only: This setting loads the host's save for the netplay title, but will not save any progress. Can be useful when using stock saves on games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl.
- Load and Write Host's Save Data: This setting loads the host's save for the game, and will update the host's save as you progress. This setting is particularly useful for long-form game sessions. **Note**: Clients do not get their saves overwritten by this setting. Their local saves will be unaffected.
- Sync All Wii Saves: This synchronizes all Wii Save Data instead of just the active title's save data for the netplay session. Useful if you're booting a romhack that uses different savedata than the actual file you're loading. Example: Project M uses a .elf, but loads savedata from the NAND under a different title name.
- Sync AR/Gecko Codes: This option synchronizes which Action Replay and Gecko Codes are enabled between players. The codes enabled on the host's computer will automatically be enabled on clients when the netplay game starts. Note that it only synchronizes which codes are enabled, it will not transfer new codes between players. If this feature causes problems, it may be because the codes differ in each player's install of Dolphin.
- Strict Settings Sync: This setting more aggressively synchronizes various volatile settings in Dolphin, such as minor Graphics Settings such as Internal Resolution. This can be used if you have a desync caused by a setting that you cannot identify.
Network Tab
- Fair Input Delay: Dolphin's default netplay setting. This splits buffer between all players, resulting in all players having the same input delay. Best for games in which all players need to act at once.
- Host Input Authority: Host Input Authority mode gives the host zero latency, but makes each player only responsible for their own buffer to the host. The base latency for clients is doubled, but this can result in a lower overall latency when playing with 4 players over great distances.
- Golf Mode: Golf Mode is Host Input Authority mode except you now have the power to swap which player has zero latency. This is perfect for multiplayer games that only have one player acting at a time. This mode is incompatible with Wii Remote netplay.
Checksum
The Checksum tab is a very powerful tool for verifying files that Dolphin cannot synchronize between players. It can be used to check and see if every player has a proper, matching dump of the game attempting to be loaded. If you're having desyncs that you cannot solve through other methods, be sure to use the checksum tab to verify that everyone's game (and SD card, if applicable for the game you're playing) matches.
Other
The other tab has a few extra settings that are applicable in rare situations. These are extra settings you may or may not want to have on, and some of these settings can be accessed by the client.
- Record Inputs: Records inputs for the current netplay session. Will not work if you change the netplay buffer while the netplay session is running.
- Show Golf Mode Overlay: Provides a small window in the actual Dolphin render window that allows you to swap who is the current player that has no latency.
- Hide Remote GBAs: This setting is specifically for GBA ↔ GCN Netplay titles. When this setting is enabled, each player will only be able to see/hear the main Dolphin render window, and the GBA assigned to them. This is perfect for games like Four Swords Adventures and Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles where the game only gives certain information to certain players.
Setting Up Netplay Controllers
Setting up netplay controllers is a very simple system. Note that as of ( 5.0-9037 ), Wii Remotes now follow the standard configuration procedure. If you need to use Wii Remote netplay on an older build, please skip to the later part of the guide.
Setting Up Standard Controllers for Netplay
When using a Standard Controller for netplay, it's very simple to configure things. If there is one player on each computer, then Dolphin will automatically map things correctly on its own.
In this setting, Dolphin takes whatever configuration is in Controller Port 1 of User and maps it to port 1 of the netplay session. For User 2, it takes whatever controller is mapped to Controller Port 1 and maps it to port 2 of the netplay session. This means whatever configuration is in controller port 1 for each player is used for their netplay controller. This keeps things simple, so that a player doesn't have to map port 4 just to play on netplay - Dolphin will grab from the first available port! This applies for up to 4 separate players. This is specifically for when one player is on each computer.
Remember, each player does not need to configure the controller for the port they are in with this situation. Dolphin will grab whatever controller profile is configured to the first GameCube Controller Port in Options → Controller Settings.
As a note, the Native GameCube Adapter for Wii U is also supported, and just needs to be assigned to the first controller port in this example.
Setting up Standard Controllers When More Than One Player is on a single PC
If you have two or more friends connecting from the same computer, you can give a single computer multiple controllers. In this example, the user labeled "friends" has two players wanting to play from the same computer. In this case, the host goes to "Assign Controller Ports" and simply gives that player's computer two controller ports.
Now "friends"'s computer will have control of controller ports 2 and 3 during the game. However, much like before, they only need to configure the first two ports of the Controller Configuration page. Dolphin will give the first controller's profile to the first assigned instance of their PC, and the second controller's profile to the second assigned friend. This can be done with the host as well, by simply assigning the host's computer to multiple controller slots.
Setting up a Spectator
If you want someone to be able to watch without impacting latency, you can do that simply by removing them from any of the controller slots. If a spectator's computer lags, the actual netplay match won't be disrupted and the spectator will simply fall behind.
Controlling GBAs on Netplay
Since 5.0-14690 , Dolphin can use GBA Controllers on netplay via the Integrated GBA powered by mGBA. This can be used to play GBA ↔ GCN games on netplay. For games like the The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, you can assign one player to play the main game and another to play the Tingle Tuner. On Four Swords Adventures, you can assign each player a GBA for multiplayer mayhem. The list goes on, and even Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD battles can be played on netplay. with some extra setup. Please refer to the the Integrated GBA guide to make sure your Integrated GBA is functioning correctly before attempting to use netplay. Each player must have a GBA BIOS configured that the Integrated GBA can automatically load.
The same rules apply for GBA controllers - Dolphin will pull from the first controller profile possible from each computer when assigning controls. If a computer is given multiple controllers, it'll assign the first port, then the second, etc. This means each player will need to at least configure the Integrated GBA in port 1 in order for their controls to work. If you have not configured it yet, it will use the default controls which may not be suitable for normal gameplay.
