7/13/2023
This document describes how to setup a computer network to play an Unreal Engine 4 multiplayer game using a listen server. These directions should generally work for any Unreal Engine 4 game using a listen server.
A game that uses a listen server acts as a client and server. You run the game as a server on your computer for the other clients to connect to. When running the game as a server it is also a client.
A listen server has two modes, LAN mode and Internet mode. Some games support just one mode while other games support both modes.
Voice chat, if supported by the game, works in LAN mode only and is not supported in Internet mode.
LAN mode: Requires a LAN but if running the client and server on the same computer no LAN setup is required.
Internet mode: Requires a home Internet connection and setting up port forward on your router. You can test Internet mode with the client and server on the same computer without the need to port forward.
Wi-Fi cell phone hotspot (Using Internet mode): Requires everyone to be connected to the same Wi-Fi cell phone hotspot so this only works if everyone is in the same house.
Virtual LAN over Internet (Using LAN mode): Requires a VPN that supports Virtual LAN over Internet. This method can be used to play over the Internet if you don't want to setup port forward on your router.
To use LAN mode, you need a working LAN.
TIP: To make testing easier, if you run the client and server on the same computer, you can test LAN mode without having to setup a LAN.
TIP: To make testing easier, if you run the client and server on the same computer, under Settings change the Resolution to 640x480 so you can see them side-by-side.
Connect the computer to the Internet.
Start the game and press "Play".
Connect the computer to the Internet.
Start the game, select "LAN mode" and press "Find games" then select the game from the Server list.
TIP: To make testing easier, if you run the client and server on the same computer, you can test Internet mode without having to setup port forward.
TIP: To make testing easier, if you run the client and server on the same computer, under Settings change the Resolution to 640x480 so you can see them side-by-side.
Connect the computer to the Internet. You must use a typical home Internet connection with a router to use port forwarding. The server can't be connected to a WI-FI cell phone hotspot if you want to use port forwarding.
Setup port forward 7777 UDP/TCP on your router. The setup procedure for port forward varies depending on the type of router you have so check online for instructions for your router.
Start the game and press "Play".
Connect the computer to the Internet. The client can be run from any Internet connection including a WI-FI cell phone hotspot.
Start the game, enter IP address and press "Join IP address". Use the Public IP address of the host computer for IP address.
To find your Public IP address you can search for "what is my ip address" using a web browser.
Using Internet mode, you can host games using a WI-FI cell phone hotspot as long as all computers are connected to the same WI-FI cell phone hotspot. For this to work everyone basically has to be in the same house so they all can connect to the same Wi-Fi cell phone hotspot.
Connect the computer to the Internet using a Wi-Fi cell phone hotspot.
Start the game and press "Play".
Connect the computer to the Internet using the same Wi-Fi cell phone hotspot that the server is using.
Start the game, enter IP address and press "Join IP address". Use the IPv4 address from the host computer.
To find the IPv4 address on Windows, use Start->Command Prompt to open the command prompt and enter ipconfig. Use the "IPv4 Address" from the "Wireless LAN adapter Wi-Fi" of the host computer.
LAN mode can be used over the Internet using a VPN.
This method can be used if you want to host the game over the Internet using a WI-FI cell phone hotspot and don't want to use port forward.
Voice chat only works with LAN mode so this method can be used if you want to use voice chat over the Internet.