Classic Gaming Arena
Home for all your DOS multiplayer gaming needs.

Launcher

Well, looks like you found it. Sorry the site looks like it fell out of 1995 (although it kinda fits), but we are still in the alpha stages of this project.

1. Click HERE to download and install the CGA Client (Windows 32-bit).

2. Click HERE to download and install DOSBox. 0.73+

3. Get some DOS games that can be played over an IPX network, such as DOOM or Duke Nukem 3D.

4. Fill out the form below, click "Launch" and play with your friends.

5. Have fun!

NOTE: All players should use the same version of DOSBox as well as the same version of the chosen game.

Server
I am the server: (host not required if "yes")
Host: (name or ip address)  Dedicated:
Port:

DOSBox
Path:
Fullscreen:

Game
Path:
EXE:
Mount CD-ROM:   ISO Image:
Local CD-ROM: (ie: "D:" or "C:\dosgames\cd")
Virtual CD-ROM:

  The first time you launch you will be prompted to save a file. It is recommended that you set your browser to auto run the CGA client for these file types.
*** TEST SERVER ***
server1.classicgamingarena.com
6000
Max Connections: 16 (for now)
*** NOTE ***
The example PATH and EXE listed are for Ultimate Doom. Consult your game's manual or help files for the appropriate EXE and command-line paramaters.

Downloads

All game downloads are shareware or demos.

Death Rally v1.1
Descent v1.4
DOOM v1.9
Duke Nukem 3D v1.3
Heretic v1.2
Hexen v1.1
Quake v1.06
Redneck Rampage v0.7
Rise of the Triad v1.3
Shadow Warrior v1.2
Terminal Velocity v1.2
Tyrian v2.0
Warcraft v1.12

News

- 07/29/2010 -
Updated the site. This is a temporary setup until I get the server and client communication to the website completed.

- 07/27/2010 -
Added Redneck Rampage game demo.

- 07/27/2010 -
Compiled the server under Linux!. It is working great.

- 07/25/2010 -
*NEW CLIENT/SERVER* - Updated the client and server to be cross-platform ready (preparing to release both client and server for Windows and Linux!). Update client before using test server.

- 05/15/2010 -
*NEW CLIENT* - Client will now report that a dedicated server is full. Update before using test server.

*NEW SERVER* - Will now let the client know it is full. Multiple connection from behind a NATed firewall will now disconnect correctly.

- 05/13/2010 -
If you tried to use the dedicated server after the current update it probaby didn't work since I forgot to forward the new UDP port it is using through our firewall. The port is forwarded now so you should be able to hit the server again.

- 05/13/2010 -
*NEW CLIENT* - Updated to work with new version of the dedicated server. Update before using test server.

- 05/07/2010 -
Added some shareware game downloads below!

- 04/22/2010 -
Dedicated test server up and running. HOST: server1.classicgamingarena.com / PORT: 6000. Also, check dedicated.

- 04/18/2010 -
Updated to support ISO Imaged CD ROMs.

- 04/17/2010 -
Updated to support dedicated servers (CGA Server coming soon!).

- 01/07/2010 -
Added some error handling on paths and you can now supply a path for the Local CD-ROM drive.

Games

There were quite a few games during the later part of the DOS era that could be played over an IPX/SPX network. Here is a list of what we know of so far:

Advanced Tactical Fighters (Jane's ATF)
Blood
Carmageddon
Chasm: The Rift
Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer - Red Alert
Cryptic Passage for Blood
Death Rally
Descent
Descent II
Doom
Doom II
Duke Nukem 3D
Dungeon Keeper
Eradicator
Extreme PaintBrawl
Final Doom
Grand Theft Auto
Heretic
Hexen
Hexen - Death Kings of the Dark Citadel
Master of Orion 2
Metaltech Battledrome
Mortal Kombat 3
NAM
Need for Speed
Need for Speed SE
NHL '97
Powerslave (a.ka. Exhumed)
Quake
Redneck Rampage
Redneck Rampage Rides Again
Rise of the Triad
Screamer 2
Shadow Warrior
Shattered Steel
Strife
Tekwar
Terminal Velocity
Terminator SkyNet
Test Drive Off-Road
Tyrian
Ultimate Doom
War, Inc.
Warcraft
Warcraft II
Witchhaven
Witchhaven II - Blood Vengence
WWII: GI
XCAR - Experimental Racing

Help

Since this site is still in its testing stages you may need some help. Each section of the Launcher will be explained in detail.

Server

I am the server
Check this option if you will be setting up a peer-to-peer game and you will act as the server. (ie: not using a dedicated server)

Host
The IP address or host name of the server to which you will connect. If you are the server in a peer-to-peer setup you do not need to set this option.

Dedicated
If the server you will be connecting to is a dedicated server you must check this option.

Port
The port value of the server to which you will connect. If you are setting up a peer-to-peer game (ie: no dedicated server) this will be a UDP port. For dedicated server setups this will be a TCP port.
NOTE: If the server being used is behind a firewall and is being used to play across the Internet then the ports used will have to be opened for incoming traffic and port forwarded to the correct internal IP address.

DOSBox

Path
The full path to your DOSBox installation. NOT including dosbox.exe

Fullscreen
Check this option if you want DOSBox to start in fullscreen mode.

Game

Path
The full path to the game to be launched inside DOSBox. NOT including the executable name. (Not the path within DOSBox)

EXE
The executable name that will launch the desired game plus any reqiured command line parameters. (ie: ipxsetup.exe -nodes 2 -port 100)

Mount CD-ROM
Check this option if the games requires a CD.

ISO Image
Check this option if you will use a ISO image to mount as the CD.

Local CD-ROM
The local drive, path or iso image that will be mounted as the CD-ROM. (ie: D:, C:\dosgames\cd or C:\doscdimages\redalert.iso)

Virtual CD-ROM
The drive letter to be used inside of DOSBox with no colon. (ie: E)

Launch!

Once you have filled out all the necessary information click this button to launch your game. Oh, and have some fun!

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