Hosting a Game
Note for Fantasy Grounds Classic Users
These instructions are for Fantasy Grounds Unity. For the current version of Fantasy Grounds (Classic), please refer to the older wiki:
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_Port_Forward_and_Host_a_Game
How To Begin Hosting A Game
Open Fantasy Grounds and click on Create Campaign if you are creating a new campaign, or Load Campaign if you have already created one:
Load Campaign Screen:
Create Campaign Screen:Video Tutorials: How To Create A Campaign | Loading A Campaign
Specify details for your campaign (see Table below for more information):
Note: This information table is the same on both the Load Campaign and Create Campaign screens.
Load Campaign:
Create Campaign:
Setting | Definition |
|---|---|
Name | This sets your campaign folder. If you choose to make this game a public cloud game, it will show up in the list with this name. Pick something your players can easily locate. The campaign name is also used to create the local folder on your PC. We recommend that you do not use special characters so that it will work on all operating systems (including your players' systems). |
Game Systems (Rulesets) | Choose a single ruleset. This tells Fantasy Grounds what sort of game you are playing. It adjusts the data types for items, NPCs, spells, etc. and controls the automation that will be available in your game. Most modules are created to work with a specific ruleset. |
Password | Set a password and give this out to your players. This is very important for publicly listed games if you still want to control who can log onto your game. |
Server Type | Cloud - A cloud-based server that bypasses the need for port forwarding. Also has a lobby showing hosted games |
Server List | Public - will display your game for other users to join |
Extensions | Extensions will update based on the ruleset you have selected. These may add additional functionality to your game or they may change the visual theme. |
3. If you already created a campaign, you can click on Load Campaign instead of Create Campaign. You can select it from the list of available campaign folders and even change the Settings before you start your campaign.
4. Click on the Start button
Note: In Server Types, Cloud mode is recommended and fully supported by Customer Support.
LAN mode was brought over as a courtesy from Fantasy Grounds' prior iteration, Fantasy Grounds Classic, and has been superseded by Cloud mode in Fantasy Grounds Unity. LAN mode is still fully-functional, but is no longer directly supported.
What to Provide your Players
Refer to the How to Join a Game section for more information.
Public Cloud Game
Players will look up your game by your Fantasy Grounds username and/or Campaign name. They will select it from the list and then click on Join Game.
Private Cloud Game
Your player will connect by using your GM Name. This GM Name is the username you use to log onto the Fantasy Grounds website. It is not the GM Name that is shown in the chat window for your campaign.
Local Private Game
Players will need the IP address and port (default is 1802) in order to join the game.
LAN - Local game on different networks (over the internet)
You will provide the External IP address.
LAN - Local game on the same network (in the same house, on the same WiFi, etc.)
You will provide the Internal IP address.
Please note that you will need to set up port forwarding on your Internet router to use this feature.
Will I Be Notified Of Connections / Disconnections?
Yes, all connection and disconnection notifications will be displayed int he chatbox located on the left side of the campaign window.