NWN2 :: Connecting to a multi-player server

Dungeon Master (NWN 2) Gender: Age: 27 Joined: 10 Apr 2007

I found this tutorial in the IGN Vault, thought it might be a good thing to link to here:

http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2Tutorials.Detail&id=64

I've also copy/pasted the contents below to save people form having to goto the IGN Vault site. I will update this initial post with subsequent patches in the event any of the instructions should change.

As this seems to be such a common recurring topic, we might want to sticky this thread.
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Following are instructions for connecting to a multiplayer game or Persistent World server. This was written during Patch 1.05 and will be updated should any future patchs alter anything.

Connecting to a PW/Multiplayer Server

1. Launch Neverwinter Nights 2
2. On the main menu, choose Multiplayer
3. If you have not logged in before, choose "Create New Account" and fill out the form. The "Bioware Community Name" that you choose will also create an account for you in the NWN2 forums. Click OK when done.
4. If you have already created an account, enter your username and password. Click "Sign In" when done.
5. Click "Join Internet Game"
6. Browse through the servers by choosing different Game Types. Make sure to wait a second or two after you choose a different game type, so that the list has time to load.
7. Click on a server that interests you. You can sort by any field listed by clicking on its name. For example, to sort by # of players online, click "Players" up top.
8. Download the required files for the server that interests you. Details on how to do this are below.
9. Click "Connect"
10. Make your character, and start playing!

Downloading Required Files
Before you can play on the server, you must first download the files that server requires. To do this:

1. Click the button labeled "Server Details"
2. Look at the Server Description field Here, you should find the web site address.
3. Go to the web site listed. From there, you will usually find a clearly identified link for required downloads.
4. Download any needed files. They will typically be presented as a list of files. Note that some servers will require you to register at their web site before providing you with the needed files.
5. Extract the files. Most places will provide the files to you in a compressed format, so that they can be downloaded faster. For files ending in ".7z" or ".rar", or ".tar.gz", you can extract them using WinRar. If the file ends in .zip, or if Windows lists it as a "Compressed Folder", you can open it directly without installing anything else. Some servers do not give files in compressed format. . If the file does not end in ".rar", ".7z", ".zip" or ".tar.gz", then it has not been compressed. You can proceed directly to the next step without worrying about extracting the files first.

6. Install the needed files. Here is a general guide showing where different files go -- remember that not all servers use all of these different types of files. The only thing that all servers will require is the "PWC" file.
a) Files ending in PWC go in My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\pwc
b) Files ending in TLK go in My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\tlk
c) Files ending in HAK go in My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\hak
d) If the file ingamegui.ini is included, it must be placed in My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\ui\default

7. Special files
a) Some servers will have Campaign files. The Campaign files must go in a folder within My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\Campaigns. The folder name to use will be provided to you -- usually it can be found in the information on the server's download page.
b) Some servers will have files that must be placed in Override. Extract these files into My Documents\Neverwinter Nights 2\Override. Always remember that placing files in override can have unpredictable results, especially if you play on other servers, play other single player modules, or are still playing the official campaign.(b)

Finally, please be aware that some servers do have automatic installers and other solutions for properly installing the needed files. If a web site provides you with specific instructions for installing or setting up, always follow those instructions instead of these.

Common Questions
Q. There is no web site listed in server details. Where do I get the downloads from?

A. Unfortunately, unless the server admin has provided you with the location of the downloads, you can't play on this server. You might try locating the web site by searching the web for the server name.

Q. There is a web site, but I can't find the files on it anywhere.

A. This is all too common. The best thing you can do is email the server administrator, explain that you could not find the downloads, and politely request that they direct you to the server downloads page.

Q. The server description is cut off. I can't see the full web site!

A. Unfortunately, many server admins don't seem to be aware that there is a limit to size of the Description field. Unless you can find the web site and file downloads through other means (such as searching for the server web on the web), you will not be able to join this server.

Q. What are these fields "Module Website" and "PWC File" for? Wouldn't that be easier than having to type in the web site myself?

A. If the server admin has set their server up properly, these fields will contain the web site of the server, and sometimes a link directly to the file you need to download. Currently, this only works if a server is in your History list, or your Favorites list. It will work from the main browser with a future patch.

Q. What is a PWC file?

A. This file contains the map information for the server that you are trying to connect to.

Q. When I download the PWC file, I have the whole module?

A. No. You have only the minimum files needed in order to log into a server. You don't have the creatures, items,scripts, and other resources that make up a server.

Q . When I look at the server list, some servers are red, and some servers are grey. What does this mean?

A. Red servers require a password to log in. You will most likely need to register at that server's web site in order to receive the password and download the needed files. Grey servers are running a different patch level than you have. This happens most commonly soon after a beta patch is released (some servers upgrade); and after a final patch is released (some servers are slow to upgrade).

Q. I made a character and tried to log in, but was immediately sent back tot he main menu! What do I do? or
Q. I made a character and tried to log in, and NWN2 crashed! What do I do?

A. If either of these two things happens, this means that you have have not installed this module's PWC file. Refer to section titled Downloading Required Files for details on downloading and installing this file and others that you may need.

Q.After making a character and trying to log in, I received an error message: "Could not Load the Module: Missing Required HAK File" . What do I do?

A. You must visit the server's web site, and download and install the require HAK file(s) before you can connect to it. Instructions for that are in section Downloading Required Files