Weird Netplay issues

**StripTheSoul** · (This post was last modified: 01-03-2018, 03:27 AM by StripTheSoul.)

Heya guys,

so, my friend and I wanted to play some Mario Party 4 (GC) via Netplay. We used the same (recent) Dolphin version, identical roms, etc. and everything seemed to work fine (although I was kinda missing some little tutorial or something; the guide in the FAQ is super-outdated).
However, sometimes, it suddenly seemed like we were playing in two different matches or something. What we saw on the game board was pretty much the same, however, sometimes we played in different mini-games O_O
After that, everything seemed to be the same again (what happened on the board, which player threw what number on the dice and so on) but the coins we had were different (because we played different mini-games and won or lost differently).
So, how weird is that? How does this happen?
I remember I had something similar a long time ago with ZSNES netplay. We played together and suddenly we seemed to see two different game matches... no idea who that other player was - strangely he played normally. Very sinister... O_o

We managed to play a match of Double Dash, though. No issues here... maybe some games are more sensitive or something...

**JosJuice** · 01-03-2018, 04:05 AM #2

That's a desync. Even if you have the exact same game version, it can happen if certain settings are different or if your save files aren't identical.

**StripTheSoul** · (This post was last modified: 01-03-2018, 04:21 AM by StripTheSoul.)

Hmm, I'm pretty sure we got all settings identical. Also we deleted all save files and tried with save writing and without.
Also, isn't this weird? I mean, who the hell is playing with me when it's not my friend for the duration of a mini-game? Or is it just coincidence that it looked like his input kinda made sense in the other mini-game as well? O_o

However, ok, I guess desync is the only thing that makes sense here. Is there some way to avoid it apart from Dolphin settings and save files? Like, that buffer? We had a rather good ping with around 30 (that is good, right?), so I shouldn't need to put that higher, right?

Ulti · (This post was last modified: 01-03-2018, 04:31 AM by Ulti.)

Just use Parsec. No netplay needed with an added performance boost in regards to lag and such. I've tried it myself already and it ran great. (For me anyway.)
It also works with any local multiplayer game, not just emulators.
Never again will you need Hamachi or Tunngle or Traversal servers or port forwarding. None of that. What is on the hosts screen is what all other player see, no exceptions.
Parsec resolves your issue Smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-tE786t_QU

**JosJuice** · 01-03-2018, 04:36 AM #5

(01-03-2018, 04:20 AM)StripTheSoul Wrote: Hmm, I'm pretty sure we got all settings identical. Also we deleted all save files and tried with save writing and without.

Unfortunately, desyncs can happen anyway sometimes... And in that case, the reason they happen can be pretty hard to track down.

(01-03-2018, 04:20 AM)StripTheSoul Wrote: Also, isn't this weird? I mean, who the hell is playing with me when it's not my friend for the duration of a mini-game? Or is it just coincidence that it looked like his input kinda made sense in the other mini-game as well? O_o

I can't think of any explanation other than it being a coincidence.

(01-03-2018, 04:20 AM)StripTheSoul Wrote: Like, that buffer? We had a rather good ping with around 30 (that is good, right?), so I shouldn't need to put that higher, right?

The value of the buffer setting in Dolphin won't make you desync, it can only cause stuttering or input latency.

**StripTheSoul** · 01-03-2018, 04:47 AM #6

@ JosJuice: Might Ubershaders play a part in desync? Any recommended settings? Or maybe there's already an updated netplay guide I didn't find?

@ Ulti: Hm, this does sound almost too good to be true... I'll check it out, thanks.

Ulti · 01-03-2018, 05:46 AM #7

(01-03-2018, 04:47 AM)StripTheSoul Wrote: @ JosJuice: Might Ubershaders play a part in desync? Any recommended settings? Or maybe there's already an updated netplay guide I didn't find?

@ Ulti: Hm, this does sound almost too good to be true... I'll check it out, thanks.

Essentially, it's nothing but interactive screensharing with very, very low latency. Keep in mind that once you connect, the other player can control your mouse and keyboard. BUT this can be enabled and disabled at will.