# Setting up a Network Game

Oops! allows you to play a network game with up to four people. One person must host the game, and the others must connect to the host. Ideally the person with the fastest computer should act as host.

## Hosting a Game

To host a game, select "Host Network Game" from the start screen. You will be prompted to enter your player name and color. Click "Host", and you will be brought to the chat area where you will wait for others to connect. Once you are in this screen, others may then connect to you and join the game using your IP address. The IP of your machine is conveniently displayed in the chat area in a button above the player list. Clicking this button will copy the IP address to the clipboard so you can easily paste it in an IM or email to another player who wants to connect.

The chat area

When at least one other person is connected, you will see them show up in the player list, and you can chat with them as you wait for others to connect. Once all your players have arrived, click "Begin game" to begin the game.

## Joining a Game

To join a game, click "Join Network Game" from the start screen. You will be prompted for the IP address of the host, your player name, and your color. Click "Join" to attempt to join the game. Make sure the host has actually started hosting the game and is in the chat area before you attempt to join, otherwise you won't be able to connect.

If the connection is succssful, you will be brought to the chat area where you can chat with the host and any other players in the game. Once the host starts the game, you will be brought to the main game board.