Microsoft KB Archive/236610

= DirectPlay 6.1a Launches Stable Multiplayer Game Connections =

Article ID: 236610

Article Last Modified on 9/30/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition

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This article was previously published under Q236610



SYMPTOMS
Before the release of DirectPlay 6.1a on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6, DirectPlay on Windows NT 4.0 had too many race conditions (one process assuming the other process has stopped responding or is still responding when the opposite is true), blocked joins, and unexpected disconnects to be considered a reliable protocol for networked games.

The following are difficulties experienced with networked (multiplayer) games on DirectPlay with Windows NT 4.0 before the release of DirectPlay 6.1a:
 * A player cannot join a game that is in session.
 * A player's connection to the game quits unexpectedly.
 * A player with a serial or modem connection cannot maintain a session for an extended period of time.
 * A player's gaming screen freezes during a joint session scenario.
 * Certain players in the game cannot move while others are moving.
 * The players cannot tell when another player has left the game.
 * When multiple players leave a game, DirectPlay shuts down itself and the game.
 * When the designated host tries to quit a peer-to-peer session, the game crashes and the host's migration does not work.
 * During a guaranteed send (typically because a player unexpectedly quits the game), a large timeout delay occurs.



RESOLUTION
DirectPlay 6.1a is available in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 and later. To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:


 * http://www.microsoft.com/windows/servicepacks/ -or-


 * 152734 how to obtain the latest windows nt 4.0 service pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.



MORE INFORMATION
Typically, the design of networked (multiplayer) games accommodates Windows NT 4.0 as well as Windows 9x platforms. It is not uncommon for Windows NT to serve as a host or server in client-server games or as a lobby platform. Many games were developed to work on Windows NT; thus these games can also participate in peer-to-peer sessions with a peer-designated host. Windows NT 4.0 is a reasonably common development platform for multiplayer features in games.

DirectPlay is the part of DirectX that interfaces between programs and communication services (Internet, modem link, network) to allow game players to find game sessions and sites and manage the flow of information between hosts and players, regardless of the underlying online service or protocol. Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to enhance running programs with numerous multimedia elements (graphics, video, 3-D animation, surround sound); it is built directly into Microsoft's operating systems. For example, Windows NT 4.0 contains the DirectX 2.0 release of Microsoft DirectDraw, Microsoft DirectSound, and Microsoft DirectPlay, and it supports DirectX 3.0 functionality with the addition of Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.

The successful implementation of DirectPlay 6.1a has involved changes to the following files for Windows NT 4.0 SP6:
 * dPlay
 * dplaypr
 * paketize
 * api
 * apphack
 * dxdiag
 * comport
 * dpmodemx
 * pdb
 * sym

Even though DirectPlay 6.1a is released in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6, the DirectPlay 6.1a files can be installed on any computer running Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or later.

