Unable to join games

[JuiceBox]

Hi,
I'm new to these forums as well as online multiplayer in BZ2 (even though I've been a passionate BZer for as long as I can remember). I've found that with the 1.3pb6.2 patch, I can't seem to join any games, even when they have the exact same patch as I do. BZ2 tells me that I don't have the right patch, but as far as I can tell, I have the same patch as the host. But the game is listed in red and unjoinable. I can join LAN games, though - it's only the online games that are the problem.
Any idea what it might be or what blaringly obvious thing I may have overlooked? I don't think it's to do with my router, because I think the 1.3pb6 installer does it automatically when installing, and in the past if a router has been the problem, I haven't been able to see games at all.
Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: I'm running on Windows 7 64-bit, if that's any help.

[MrTwosheds]

You may have failed to download the strategy map pack from bz2 maps and so not have the maps allot of people are playing.
You would still be able to join games using the normal maps though.
Have you Installed any mods that may make you incompatible with everyone else?
If it was your router, I doubt bz2 would be telling you you have the wrong patch. Your sure your not using 6.1?

[JuiceBox]

You may have failed to download the strategy map pack from bz2 maps and so not have the maps allot of people are playing.

It happens with every game I find, even ones with stock maps such as Dunes (or Patton's Proving Ground or whatever it's called). But I will try downloading that map pack anyway.
EDIT: Never mind, it turns out I have that map pack already. Guess that's not it.

Have you Installed any mods that may make you incompatible with everyone else?

I've installed EPIC and FE to that BZ installation, but was just running ordinary BZ2. I've also tried a freshly installed and patched installation, and that also didn't work.

Your sure your not using 6.1?

Certain. I downloaded the patch here http://matesfamily.org/bz2/ . Perhaps I should try redownloading it.

Thanks for your help.

[JuiceBox]

Also, this is a bit off-topic, but since I'm here asking questions anyway, how do I use the record/playback feature Battlezone 2 is supposed to have? I can't really find any information about it anywhere.

[Ded10c]

Record/playback? I don't believe such a feature exists.

[Zero Angel]

That would be amazing if BZ2 multiplayer ever got a 'replay' functionality. Probably a lot of work and not going to happen, but it would still be pretty awesome.

[GSH]

On the pilot selection/login screen, BZ2 will show you the version in the bottom left corner. (1.0-1.2 don't show a version.) If BZ2 shows other MP games in red, then it thinks they're different patches from yours. Make sure you're on 1.3.6.2, the latest. It is available here.

As to recordings, private betas have that in the editor executable, only. Downsides: 1) it consumes massive amounts of disk space, as it does enough to do a frame-by-frame replay. 2) Any resync will throw off a recording, as the recording logs inputs, only. And BZ2 has never quite eliminated resyncs. Better over time, but not zero.

-- GSH

[JuiceBox]

I'm redownloading the patch now. I think I may be using the wrong patch after all. Makes me feel kind of stupid.

I'd heard about that recording feature before, and was curious about it. Thanks for explaining.

[JuiceBox]

Thanks for your help, everyone. You may find that I will probably do a lot more foolish things during my time here, so I hope you have patience

[MrTwosheds]

No problem, its great to see new players. Its a shame the game we attempted to play got wrecked by BZ2's 1 remaining persistent griefer. Don't assume your first game was how they all are.

[JuiceBox]

Don't worry, MrTwosheds, I won't. And even if I did, it would never scare me away from BZ2. Maybe the online multiplayer, but never the game itself. Anyway, I had a great MPI game straight afterwards
I'll see you again sometime.

[Iron_Maiden]

First, hello Juicebox, good to see you here on the forums.

Second,a bout the map apck, I was reading about it and am wondering sicen there was some debate on how to install it, some say download to one folder, some to another, and given Vearie's, uhm, record.....I just want to be sure of everything.

[MrTwosheds]

Not aware of any serious problems.
Its just an issue of correct procedure.
The map pack includes his shell mod and for reasons best known to himself he decided to install all the maps into addon instead of maps13.
Personally, because I Mod myself, I just don't want his shell mod installed as it just complicates development/testing. So I extracted all the maps from the pack and installed them to maps13.
The map pack itself will be fine until BZ2 patches alter the shell once more, or you install a mod, such as epic maybe, and find you have a load of maps in the list that you cannot use, despite what the mod maker wanted to happen.
As he claims expert knowledge, I can only assume that this is deliberate, he does espouse a hatred of all other modders and developers, so it probably is.