GAMING and Internet Sharing. Using both comps. Is it possible or not?

Now, this seems to be a popular topic, but I havn't got a satisfying reponse yet.
Nobody seems to be able to answer to the question: Is it at all possible to use two computers at the same time with ICS, and play the same game online at the same time?
I have a local LAN with two computers linked with NIC cards. I use ICS with Win98SE. I'm connected with cable.
During tests, here's what I've come up with:
QUAKE3 ARENA:
It works. I don't know why, but it does. Both computers at the same time in the same game online, and it works flawlessly. How come? I don't know.
AGE OF KINGS:
It doesn't work. Whatever combination I tried, it wont work. The game wont load pass the "Multiplayer Joining Screen". Further more, if I want to play with only one computer (the host), I need to disable ICS, or else the game will also jam at the "multiplayer joining screen".

My question is (and maybe somebody more "tech oriented" than me can answer that?): what is the difference between the two games that will make one work and the other not?
My second question is: Is there any way we can make AOK work with ICS using both computers at the same time?
I think this is an important topic. I've seen this here and there in Forums online, and no one knows what to do about it.
If anyone would come up with a solution, that person would be rich. Seriously, Internet Communication Sharing is becoming more and more accessible, and popular. People are informed, and they get to setup their LAN to use internet sharing. And knowing that GAMING is a very popular activity amongst computer users, innevitably people will want to GAME with their FRIENDS using their Intenet Sharing!
So basically, this brings me back to the first question: Is it at all possible to do it?

*ANY* information on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
DrJOnes666

1. RE: GAMING and Internet Sharing. Using both comps. Is it possible or not?
deerslayer Oct-19-00 05:55 PM
In response to message 0

Well from my experience some games have pretty good mulitplayer modes, and some are not so swift. i am not familiarwith AOK but, have played q3 over lan and online no problem. I would contact the vendor and ask them why. If Q3 works you know it is possible, and that everything is working ok.

2. RE: GAMING and Internet Sharing. Using both comps. Is it possible or not?
raymondean Oct-20-00 03:26 AM
In response to message 0

hmmm....i have a cable modem, and 3 comps running ics, and ages, you might try the latest patch for the game and also the 3rd party installer for ics...Ray
p.s., if you need the patches, email me at raymondean@home.com

3. RE: GAMING and Internet Sharing. Using both comps. Is it possible or not?
DrJOnes666 Oct-20-00 05:34 AM
In response to message 2

Tell me more about your setup Raymond...
Do you have different IPs for every computer, or one IP only?
Since you have ICS, is one of your comps the HOST, or all they all slaves connected to a BOX that in itself is connected to internet?
I personally have two computers only, and they are connected with NIC cards, so one comp is the Host, and the other is the slave that connects on internet through the host...
I will email you as well regarding this issue, but it would be interested for other people to continue exchange on this FORUM.
Thanks!
Martin

4. RE: -So far NOT so good...
DrJOnes666 Oct-21-00 05:19 PM
In response to message 3

I have contacted ENSEMBLE STUDIOS regarding the issue of ICS and multiplaying with Age of Kings. Here's what they told me:
"
Hi Martin,
To answer your question, no, it is not possible to participate in a multi-player game with a shared or masqueraded IP address. This is because Age of Kings (AoK) uses DirectX 7.0a (specifically DirectPlay for networking). Unfortunately, DirectX 7.0a does not support IP masquerading at all. Quake III on the other hand does not use DirectX in its code-base (I believe they use winsock for networking, miles for sound, etc.). Thus you can join QIII games (though you won't be able to host them and have other people not on your network see it).
Apparently, the reason why DirectX does not support it yet is because there is no standard way that IP masquerading / Internet Connection Sharing is implemented. From what I understand, DirectX 8 is supposed to support it though.
Will you be able to play AoK on an ICS IP if you have DirectX 8 installed? The best answer I got is maybe, if you are running Win ME or Win 2k with all the service packs, but definitely not if you are running Win 98 / 95.
Are we going to support ICS users in future releases of AoK? No, the core network code of a game is not something that would even get considered as a change for something like a patch. There are simply too many things that can go wrong with changing any major system in an already released game.
AoE3? It is not a secret that we are currently working on another strategy game (RTS3 is the "official code name" ). We are definitely looking into supporting ICS connections for RTS3. I can't make any promises that it will definitely, without-a-doubt be in there, but I can tell you that it is a big concern of a lot of people around here that we are able to support it. Especially me, since I have an ICS network at home too. J
You can find more information on DirectX here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/directx/
I hope I answered all your question, write again if there is anything else I can help you with.
Alex Quintana
Quality Assurance Lead
Ensemble Studios"
-- So... this doesn't look so good after all for the present. Their is still some hope for games using DirectX, since they said that "MAYBE" with DirectX8 it will work. Now, when does DirectX 8 comes out? That remains to be seen. Otherwise, it will be down to the next Real Time strategy game to (again MAYBE) support ICS multiplaying online.
Seriously though, if somone out there could come up with a solution right now, right today, I'm sure that person would hit a gold mine.
Oh well...
Let's wait then.
Martin

http://www.ensemblestudios.com/