NORTHREND
How to play Northrend RPG online?
- (1) Use Irina Host-bot. Starting from 2023, it allows saving and loading games using standard Warcraft III save-load system.
- (2) Set up a local network using Radmin VPN.
- (3) Utilize Gameranger.
- (4) On battle.net, if you have an official game copy (Classic or Reforged). Starting from version 1.36.1, the ability to save and load games using standard Warcraft III saves has been restored.
How to save progress and load games? Does the map have a save-load system?
- The map does not have its own save-load system. Progress is saved using standard Warcraft game saves ("Menu" - "Save Game").
- Saving in single-player:
- Warcraft Classic 1.26 through Reforged 2.0+: You can save and load games in single-player mode without restrictions.
- Saving in multiplayer:
- Warcraft Classic 1.26 - 1.31: Players are limited to one save per session. Once all players exhaust their save slots, a loaded save is required to reset the saving limits.
- Current Warcraft Reforged 2.0+: Saves are available, but due to a bug, other players cannot directly join the lobby of a loaded game. Players must manually enter the exact original lobby name in the search bar and click "Join".
- Warcraft Reforged 1.36.1: To invite players to the lobby of a loaded game, add them to your Battle.net friends list. Click the "Social button" (bottom-right corner, next to the "Menu" button), find them in your friends list, right-click their name, and select Invite to Match. The invited player must confirm the invitation by clicking the checkmark in the pop-up window.
- Warcraft Reforged 1.32-1.35: Multiplayer save functionality is unavailable in these versions.
How to load saves when playing through Irina Host-bot?
If you are using Irina Host-bot, you can create a lobby with a loaded save, and players with their own copies of the save can join. Follow these steps:
If you are using Irina Host-bot, you can create a lobby with a loaded save, and players with their own copies of the save can join. Follow these steps:
- Go to the map page.
- Click on the ➕ icon.
- Choose the "Load Game" button and load the saved game file. The typical file path for the save is "Warcraft III\save\Multiplayer\YourSaveFile.w3z".
- Copy the generated password.
- Send this password to other players. With this password, they can join your lobby.
What are the differences between the Full, SD, and Lite versions of the map? Is the full version only for Reforged?
- The Full version contains all available content.
- The SD version only lacks HD content for Reforged.
- The Lite version lacks voiceovers, music, HD content for Reforged, and the quality of SD textures is reduced.
- All versions of the map are compatible with all versions of Warcraft III 1.26-1.36+, SD and HD. However, it is recommended to use the SD version when playing Warcraft III Classic 1.26-1.31; the Full version is recommended when playing Warcraft III Reforged 1.32-1.36+. The Lite version is recommended if there are issues with the other versions.
- Learn more about the differences at the link.
Playing the Full version on Warcraft III 1.26. When trying to play the Full version online, players connecting to my lobby cannot download the map (loading number freezes next to their nickname, "Start Game" button is inactive). What should I do?
- (1) You can fix this bug by placing the latest version of the file "big_map_crash_fix.mix" in the root folder of Warcraft III.
- (2) (If (1) didn't work) All players should download the map file in advance and place it in the "Download" folder at "Warcraft III\Maps\Download".
- (3) (If (2) didn't work) This issue should not occur when launching the lobby through irinabot.com. If playing on a local network (including using an emulator), start a session on Irina Host-bot, save it, and then load and continue the game on the local network.
- (4) (If (3) didn't work) Use the SD or Lite versions of the map.
Playing the Full version on Warcraft III 1.26. When trying to view the quest list (by clicking the button or using F9), the game crashes with a critical error! Help!!!
- This bug in Warcraft III 1.26 occurs when playing on any sufficiently large maps (>100 MB) if a modified game.dll was used. To fix the bug, you can place the big_map_crash_fix.mix file from the archive [download] in the root folder of Warcraft III. Alternatively, you can follow these tips to circumvent the bug:
- (1) Use the SD version of the map for a new game. It's lighter, and it's absolutely identical to the Full version when playing in Warcraft III 1.26 (the graphical difference will only be noticeable when playing in Warcraft III Reforged HD).
- (2) Try pressing F9 once at the very beginning of the game (when choosing heroes) or as soon as you load a save. If there was no crash at the first press during the session, it should not occur again when subsequently opening the "Quests" tab. Several attempts might be necessary.
- (3) It's reported that the problem may only occur after minimizing and maximizing the game window. Accordingly, you can either not minimize the window during the game or initially start Warcraft in windowed mode. To start the game in a window, create a shortcut for war3.exe and add the command -window in the properties.
- (4) Restarting the system before playing may help. Restarting just the game client usually does not help.
- (5) (If 1, 2, 3, 4 didn't work) Use the Lite version of the map or other versions of Warcraft III (1.29-1.36+).
I'm playing Warcraft III 1.26, but the game occasionally crashes with a critical error "Out of video memory." Is there anything that can be done about this?
- (1) Even if you have a weak system, it's still recommended to set all graphics settings to maximum.
- (2) Sometimes launching the game with the -opengl parameter helps. To do this, create a shortcut for war3.exe, and add the command -opengl after a space in the properties. This command can also be combined with the -window command.
- (3) When playing through the Irina Connector, these launch settings can be adjusted in the connector's settings. However, in this case, you must also start Warcraft through the connector!
Is the map compatible with Reforged 2.0 (official version starting November 13, 2024)?
- The map has been optimized for Reforged 2.0 starting from version 1.36.0. Older versions of the map can be launched but may encounter issues (missing experience gains in certain cases; visual artifacts; incorrect terrain textures; misaligned portrait models; UI glitches; missing numbers in statistics; other inconsistencies.)
- To play with Reforged HD graphics, it is recommended to use the Full version of the map with the following game settings:
- Switch to REFORGED mode.
- In the SOUND menu, disable the "Classic Sound" option.
- In the GAMEPLAY menu, enable the "Show Portraits in Cinematics" option.
- In the REFORGED menu, set all options ("Environment," "Units," "Heroes," "Buildings," "Icons," "VFX") to Reforged.
- To play with Classic SD graphics, any version of the map can be used with the following game settings:
- Switch to CLASSIC mode.
- In the GAMEPLAY menu, disable the "HUD Sidepanels" option.
- The Classic HD mode is currently unsupported and may display various visual artifacts.
In the Reforged 2.0, a bug has made it impossible to join a loaded game's lobby via the network. The following instructions will guide you through setting up a lobby and allowing other players to join.
- Starting the game:
- Create a new game with the name GameName.
- Saving the game:
- Save the game with the name SaveName.
- Loading the saved game:
- Exit to the main menu. Go to the Custom Games menu.
- Select Load -> locate SaveName in the list. You may need to repeat this step twice, as the lobby might not load properly on the first attempt.
- Connecting other players:
- Other players in your session must manually enter the original GameName (not SaveName!!!) in the search bar and click Join. Pay attention to case sensitivity (uppercase and lowercase letters matter).
