multiplayer

Regarding Multiplayer
Many of you have posted bulletin board messages about multiplayer gameplay. We read these boards and take your comments very seriously.
We're building a software patch that incorporates several new features that will enhance SWAT 2's multiplayer capabilities. Among the additions will be improved packet optimization software to improve game speed and a button in the recruit interface to equip a unit with default gear with click. SWAT 2 will update itself automatically each time you log on to WON.NET.
Note: When loading a mission in multiplayer mode (after leaving the recruit interface), users may experience a minute or two delay. Do not cancel out. The host computer is sharing information. The initial patch will also include an indicator to let you know you're still connected during the mission load.

Internet Connections
Direct (TCP/IP)
The Transfer Control Protocol and Internet Protocol standards allows different computers to directly exchange information along specific routes across the Internet. Depending on the speed of the connection, TCP/IP connections will support up to four players.

World Opponent Network (WON)
WON is the ideal environment to find gaming partners, share tips and hints in the SWAT 2 chat room, and to download free SWAT 2 updates. Players remain connected to WON during gameplay and return to the WON interface at the end of the mission. Game sessions launched from WON are limited to two players.
LAN
Playing SWAT over a Local Area Network connection provides the optimal multiplayer experience and will support up to four players. A LAN is typically made up of a central hub that connects individual computers with through an ethernet connection.

Improving Multiplayer

1. Make sure the fastest CPU hosts the game, as the host computer handles a larger share of the work.

2. Before beginning a mission, test the ping time of your opponent. Our direct IP connect option tells you the host IP. When you swap your IP addresses, you can ping each other to test the connection. Open a DOS box and type PING ###.###.###.### where # represents the actual numbers in your opponent's IP. If the ping time comes in at 500ms or better, you should have a reasonable play experience. Anything higher than that may prove unsatisfactory.
You can also preview game performance when you enter the recruit interface. If equipping individual items seems rather slow (i.e. the hour glass shows up), your game will probably be slow, so it's best to exit gracefully and find an opponent with whom you have a better connection.

3. Head-to-head games tend to have better performance than the Cooperative missions.

4. Be conservative in the number of teams you recruit and to the amount of gear added to each unit.

5. Earlier missions tend to have better performance than the later missions.



Improving Multiplayer

1.	Make sure the fastest CPU hosts the game, as the host computer handles a larger share of the work.

2.	Before beginning a mission, test the ping time of your opponent. Our direct IP connect option tells you the host IP. When you swap your IP addresses, you can ping each other to test the connection. Open a DOS box and type PING ###.###.###.### where # represents the actual numbers in your opponent's IP. If the ping time comes in at 500ms or better, you should have a reasonable play experience. Anything higher than that may prove unsatisfactory. You can also preview game performance when you enter the recruit interface. If equipping individual items seems rather slow (i.e. the hour glass shows up), your game will probably be slow, so it's best to exit gracefully and find an opponent with whom you have a better connection.

3.	Head-to-head games tend to have better performance than the Cooperative missions.

4.	Be conservative in the number of teams you recruit and to the amount of gear added to each unit.

5.	Earlier missions tend to have better performance than the later missions.


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