Host and join multiplayer games

The D1X-Redux and D2X-Redux browser builds use the original Descent UDP multiplayer protocol. A WebSocket bridge carries game traffic between browser tabs and the game gateway.

Private access: the public pages are playable by anyone, but the multiplayer gateway is limited to devices on the owner's Tailscale network. This protects the socket service from becoming a public network relay.

Before you start

1. Connect each player's device to the same authorized Tailscale network.
2. On each device, make gamesocket.tekonline.com.au resolve to the Oracle host's Tailscale address 100.87.69.61 (a Tailscale split-DNS entry or a hosts-file entry works).
3. Open Descent or Descent II. Both players must use the same game version.

Host a game

1. In the first browser, choose Multiplayer → Host Game.
2. Set the level and game mode, then choose Start Game.
3. Wait until the host has loaded into the mine.

Join the host

1. In the second browser, choose Multiplayer → Join Game Manually.
2. Enter 127.0.0.1 as the game address and 42424 as the game port. The game bridge routes these packets inside its isolated network.
3. Set My port to a unique port for this browser, starting with 42425. Give every additional player a different port.
4. Choose Join Game, then select it from the game list and enter the level.

Game hosting and simulation remain in the Descent engine running in the host's browser; the server provides the private socket bridge. The gateway has no public UDP port or general Internet egress.

Troubleshooting

• If the game page loads but the bridge does not connect, check Tailscale is active and the socket hostname resolves to 100.87.69.61.
• If binding fails, another player may be using the same My port. Choose a different port in the 42425–42440 range.
• The demo and shareware versions contain a limited set of levels and content.

Return to the game picker