Current Online Game List + FAQ

[Darksaviour69]

US and EU Games Online through official servers:

4x4 Evolution (US)
4x4 Evolution demo (US - available on the Official Dreamcast Magazine Disc #11: February 2001)
Sega Swirl (US - available on the Sega Dreamcast Web Browser 2.0 and Sega Smash Pack Volume 1; requires a fully operational POP mail account)
StarLancer (US, EU)
Quake 3 Arena (US - Sega Spain server)

JP Games Online through official servers:

Note: Japanese games require a Isao Account to play online."
*Currently None*

Games online through private servers:

Phantasy Star Online (US, EU, JP) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php)
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (US, EU, JP) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php)
Phantasy Star Online (US, EU, JP) Schthack server (http://www.schtserv.com/)
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (US, EU, JP) Schthack server (http://www.schtserv.com/)
Quake 3: Arena (US - only through various privately hosted servers)
Maximum Pool (US) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7846&sid=bcf180ad2e9d604886cab8db04d8360c)

System Link:

F355 Challenge (US, EU, JP)
Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (US, JP)
Aero Dancing F (JP)
Aero Dancing i (JP)
Sega Tetris (JP)

Official Online Rankings:

Trizeal (JP) rankings (http://www.triangleservice.co.jp/html/tzdcranking/index.html)


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Setting up an ISP on your Dreamcast
Any of the following browsers will allow you to setup the ISP of your choosing on your system.


North America: Web Browser (any version)

Europe: Dreamkey 3.0 and 3.1
European residents can still get a Dreamkey 3.1 disc for free by contacting Sega of Europe. http://www.sega-europe.com/

Japan: Dream Passport (any version)
Some Japanese released games have Dream Key 1.0 built-in.


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Additional Info and FAQs:


Notice:
Regarding Starlancer and 4x4 Evo, if your DNS numbers are not set correctly then the games may not be able to connect to their GameSpy servers.

Don't you have to have a modem for the Dreamcast?
All Dreamcasts originally came with a detachable phone modem on the lower back right-hand corner. The only exception is former rental systems, which have a detachable hollow plastic shell in that spot.

Why isn't "(place game name here)" still online?
It costs money to run servers for free to play online games. Granted not a lot of money, most companies apparently decided that the money would be put to better use if spent on other projects.

Can people make private servers?
For Quake 3: Arena, yes. The development company, Id Software, released a Dreamcast support expansion for its Quake 3 Server software. It is available to download for free from various hosts on the internet.

The servers for most of the online games were run by Sega using their "SEGA SNAP" servers and software. Sega sold the servers and the rights to the software to Nokia, who then renamed the setup "Nokia SNAP".

It's not impossible that in the future someone may come up with a way to make a private server for some of the other formerly online games, but it is unlikely.

Do many people play PSO or Quake 3 on the private servers?
As with any online game the number of players will always vary.

Is it free to play on the private servers?
Yes. The only cost is whatever you normally pay to use your ISP.

Is there anything special you have to do or will need to get on the private servers?
For Quake 3 all you'll need is the IP address of the private server you wish to play on. For PSO and PSO V2 you will need a Code Breaker (aka Xploder) cheat disc. Full instructions on accessing Schtack's can be found on Schthack's website: http://www.schtserv.com/

Where can I download the VMU file with the Codebreaker/Xploder private server access codes for the Phantasy Star Online games?
You can download the file directly from this address: http://gsproduc.ath.cx:8000/vmu/schthack.vmi
Just make sure you read the instructions on Schthack's website ( http://www.schtserv.com/ ) before using it.

Can I use my Dreamcast with Broadband/DSL?
There are two ways to get the system online with Broadband/DSL.
1. The official Broadband Adaptor, also called BBA. Which is rare, and very expensive.
2. The free but slightly complicated method described here: http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/guides_pcdcwin98.php

If I use my PC's broadband connection, as described in method #2 above, will the DC's connection speed be at the 33k/56k of the modem or will it be equally as fast as my broadband connection speed?
It should run at a stable 33k.

Will my DC games run without lag when using broadband?
The connection will be equally as stable as your broadband connection.

Which games work with the Broadband Adapter (BBA)?
Phantasy Star Online, Phantasy Star Online Version 2, and Quake 3: Arena.

"That Propeller Arena game....was anyone ever able to go online with that?"
Only the programmers. The game was on schedule for a fall 2001 release, but was completely canceled due to the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Can I play PSO with non-Dreamcast users?
Yes. If you use the Schthack server, you can play with PC players (not Blue Burst) and GameCube players (obviously on the levels from the episode 1).

[Shinebi]

Erm, I think I went online with a US Unreal via a BBA. (long time ago though, about 4 years or so)

[Darksaviour69]

yeah but there servers are down now for Unreal

[JKKDARK]

You forgot to add Quake 3 Arena (US) to the US and EU Games Online through official servers

Also, maybe you want to add the games with System links and Internet Rankings?

[VampDude]

I only ever played ChuChuRocket online, and it's the only game I would ever go back to play online if it was still possible! (but I doubt it)

[mcvader]

I got unreal the other day and was about to start a new thread asking how to get online with it when I noticed this, It connected fine but there were no servers :( I also played around with the inbuilt web browser but could not find out how to change the address, could only connect to the atari site which crashed after 5 mins or so.

I bought my DC secondhand about a month ago and didn't get the browser disk that was (I think) supposed to come with it. Athough browsing the net with a DC would be nothing but a novelty these days I was wondering if there was ever any (legal) homebrew browers made.

also is it worth getting PSO?, is it free to play online?, is it any fun online? (as i have read the single player game left a lot to be desired).

Without DCEmu I would have never bought a DC as I had no Idea how homebrew friendly they were:) Thanks for showing me the light.

[JKKDARK]

I bought my DC secondhand about a month ago and didn't get the browser disk that was (I think) supposed to come with it. Athough browsing the net with a DC would be nothing but a novelty these days I was wondering if there was ever any (legal) homebrew browers made.

XDP Browser Pack. Anyway, try to get any DC web browser from eBay ;)


also is it worth getting PSO?, is it free to play online?, is it any fun online? (as i have read the single player game left a lot to be desired).

PSO is awesome, please try to get it. The online mode is totally free. Also, if you are not a PSO fan, get Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2" ;)



http://www.onlineconsoles.com/
Go here, it's the official forum for Dreamcast online.

[mcvader]

Thanks for that JKKDARK :) I'm registering there now.

[lo]

yeah but there servers are down now for Unreal

Does anyone has any infromation about the server?

Or know people that have unreal knowledge (moding , etc.)

We (the admin of dcarena.de [madpic666] and me) had a little succes bringing it back online. Our server was shown in the gamespy (original) server list and could be choosen in the DreamCast unreal server list, but the connection could not be correctly astablished. The DreamCast was rejected by the server or the other way around.

So if anyone has any info or knowledge feel free to contact me.

The admin of dcarena.de was very busy the last months, so sadly we could not work on the project.

[JKKDARK]

Some staff member should update the list. Remove the PSO games from the official servers lists.

[JKKDARK]

No, don't delete the PSO's from the private servers list.
Phantasy Star Online/Ver. 2 Lordnikon server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php)
Phantasy Star Online/Ver. 2 Schthack server (www.schtserv.com/)

All the PSO versions and regions are compatible on these servers ;)

[JKKDARK]

This is how the lists should be now...

US and EU Games Online through official servers:
4x4 Evolution (US)
4x4 Evolution demo (US - available on the Official Dreamcast Magazine Disc #11: February 2001)
Sega Swirl (US - available on the Sega Dreamcast Web Browser 2.0 and Sega Smash Pack Volume 1; requires a fully operational POP mail account)
StarLancer (US, EU)
Quake 3 Arena (US - Sega Spain server)

JP Games Online through official servers:
Note: Japanese games require a Isao Account to play online."
*Currently None*

Games online through private servers:
Phantasy Star Online (US, EU, JP) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php)
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (US, EU, JP) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php)
Phantasy Star Online (US, EU, JP) Schthack server (http://www.schtserv.com/)
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (US, EU, JP) Schthack server (http://www.schtserv.com/)
Quake 3: Arena (US - only through various privately hosted servers)
Maximum Pool (US) OnlineConsoles server (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7846&sid=bcf180ad2e9d604886cab8db04d8360c)

System Link:

F355 Challenge (US, EU, JP)
Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (US, JP)
Aero Dancing F (JP)
Aero Dancing i (JP)
Sega Tetris (JP)

Official Online Rankings:

Trizeal (JP) rankings (http://www.triangleservice.co.jp/html/tzdcranking/index.html)

[JKKDARK]

Besides updating the list, a staff member should add in the FAQ:

Can I play PSO with non-Dreamcast users?
Yes. If you use the Schthack server, you can play with PC players (not Blue Burst) and Gamecube players (obviously on the levels from the episode 1).

And add "56k" here: It should run at a stable 33k/56k

[Smurph]

Does anyone has any infromation about the server?

Or know people that have unreal knowledge (moding , etc.)

We (the admin of dcarena.de [madpic666] and me) had a little succes bringing it back online. Our server was shown in the gamespy (original) server list and could be choosen in the DreamCast unreal server list, but the connection could not be correctly astablished. The DreamCast was rejected by the server or the other way around.

So if anyone has any info or knowledge feel free to contact me.

The admin of dcarena.de was very busy the last months, so sadly we could not work on the project.
I would be willing to help with this in any way I can. Seriously, it's always bugged the crap out of me that I could never play this on the interwebs on my DC.

I did a little bit of unrealscripting which I have likely forgotten how to do (But how hard could it be to re-learn? It's just like java), and have some C++ skills, and am able to log packets (need help with the analyzing though, heh.), and own a BBA. I imagine modding a PC server for DC would involve:

- Getting the DC maps to PC
- Modifying the map loading routines to read the DC maps (could be a simple matter of changing a header or version flag, but UnrealEd wouldn't load it as-is [For all I know right now, it could be an entirely different format]).
- Logging any information possible, and try to finesse the server into working without an example to go by

[JKKDARK]

Can I use my Dreamcast with Broadband/DSL?
There are two ways to get the system online with Broadband/DSL.
1. The official Broadband adaptor, also called BBA. Which is rare, and very expensive.
2. The free but slightly complicated method described here: http://www.consolevision.com/members/mterlouw/
The link to that site is dead. Please remove the link and add this one (http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/guides_pcdcwin98.php).

[xl2k5]

Well, step one, let's try to get the servers the easy way : http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/UTDCOnline/
Sign this petition I just started.
If it works well enough, Epic/Secret Level might release the software
About coding a server, we really need to make a central website, so that anybody from different websites can come and contribute to code it.
About the maps, I didn't hex-edit them, but UT dedicated server can't run them, it will crash, so they need to be modified.
On the disk, there's one map "dm_barricade_dc.unr" and another domination map.
These 2 are of the computer's format.
I wonder if they can be used on the server?
So far, I don't know how to make the server show up.
But I know it probably uses the unreleased build 404 for UT, and on the disk many files can be openned and you can find much informations on it.

[JKKDARK]

Petitions will not work, don't waste your time.

[xl2k5]

Trying to build homemade server BEFORE even trying a petition is what I call waste of time.
They did in the past even release the source code for UT because of a petition.
We don't even ask for the source code, just ask them to either release the server software, or tell us some informations on how they coded it!
That petition could just as well help making one as it could give us one server. 2 in 1.
Signing takes 10 seconds.
I don't call 10 seconds a waste of time, really.

(If anyone has suggestions to make the text better, don't hesitate, english isn't my mother tongue so the text might sound bad to native speakers)

[Mark30001]

Updated!

[Smurph]

Online petitions are worthless.

Create a petition form that people can print out, and open a P.O. box where they can send them.

Then, send/bring them to Epic and/or Secret Level.

[annina]

Well people, I have an idea that somewhat mirrors The Sims and Wow- an interactive online game where players can interact with each other while doing activities. I've worked a little with 3D Studio Max and such but have never looked into online game developing. What are the steps to do this from square one? And what legal procedures are there? What software to be used to create the images? Thank you.

[donnareese76]

Thanks for that iwill play right now