**Introduction**As many are aware, Sunflowers has currently decided to discontinue its plans to produce a complete and working multiplayer function for Anno 1503. Now this package is not designed to be given as a replacement, but it does allow the chance for the user to play using the multiplayer code built into the game. There are only three maps supplied with two being basic maps supplied possibly by Sunflowers and one altered by myself to allow the computer to play as well. To create maps please goto http://www.hjbomanns.de/ANNOEdit/DRKEdit.htm and download a copy of Dieter's ANNOEdit. The site is in German, but the program allows you to install English and a few other languages. Another useful tool is Sir Henry's Anno Launch tool which can be found somewhere at http://www.annozone.de and allows you to launch Multiplayer games from its program. This package has been put together due to the lack of information (At least in English) and help in setting up the origional multiplayer code that was included in the game but de-activated.
**Installation**
Very little needs to be copied over into the Anno 1503 folder. You have the choice of either activating through the AnnoNetTool that was supplied to earlier versions of the German game or you can choose to activate it without the AnnoNetTool through the registry. Select Which way you wish to do it and choose the respective folders supplied. Once in the folder read the "Readme.txt" file and follow its instructions. After that read the "Readme.txt" file in the Multiplayer Maps folder to add the maps to the game. Also note Admin rights in needed to play this game so if your running on Win2k or WinXP you'll need to be logged in as the Admin or another user with Admin rights.
**Creating a Server**
Creating a server should be quite simple. All you will need to do is run the game and then click on "Multiplayer" and then Lan Server. This should also go for setting up a Server to be used over the internet. If this doesn't work then adding "/s" to the shortcut of Anno1503 should allow it. Also you can easily set it up through Sir Henry's Anno Launch tool. Please note, I'm unsure of the ports that are in use so if you're using it over the internet through a firewall, please follow the instructions of your firewall manual. If you're using a NAT router, please activate UPnP or run the server in the DMZ if you're unsure about the firewall port settings.
**Connecting to a server**
Connecting over a Lan is also very simple. Just run the game and click on "Multiplayer" and then Lan Client. Since its currently not available over the net a little playing about is needed to connect to a server. To connect to a server you will need to...
1. Locate "Mp Startup.lnk" then right click on it and goto properties an in the target box you should see something like "C:Program FilesANNO 15031503Startup.exe" /c"127.0.0.1"
2. edit the target location and at the end (after "/c") put the ip address of the server you wish to connect to and then click apply. Then double click it and choose your profile you wish to use and then click ok.
You Should now be connected to the server and ready to go. Once again if you have Sir Henry's Anno Launch tool you can connect to the server through that.
**Warning**
The current multiplayer code for Anno1503 is very buggy and games can become out of sync very often. No support is supplied for the Multiplayer function of Anno1503 and so no fixes will probably be ever made.
Enjoy the game and make some impressive multiplayer maps.
