Running Two Instances of *Total War: Attila* on One PC (LAN Multiplayer)

README.md

Running Two Instances of Total War: Attila on One PC (LAN Multiplayer)

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Step 1: Prepare Game Folders & Goldberg Emulator

1. Duplicate the Game: Create two separate copies of your Total War: Attila folder (e.g., Attila_Host and Attila_Player2).
2. Install Goldberg Emulator into BOTH folders:
   • Copy the 32-bit steam_api.dll from the emulator archive into both folders (overwrite the original file).
   • In both folders, create a text file named steam_appid.txt containing 325610.
   • In both folders, create an empty text file named local_save.txt directly next to Attila.exe.

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Step 2: Sandboxie-Plus Configuration

1. Create two separate sandboxes (e.g., Attila1 and Attila2).
   • Box Type: Select Standard Isolation Box (Yellow Icon) — do not use Privacy Enhanced.
2. Unlock IPC & Sockets:
   • Right-click Attila1 $\rightarrow$ Sandbox Options $\rightarrow$ Edit ini Section (at the bottom).
   • Paste the following lines at the end and click Apply:

     OpenIpcPath=\RPC Control\*
     OpenIpcPath=\BaseNamedObjects\*
     OpenWinClass=*
     DropAdminRights=n

   • Repeat this exact step for Attila2.
3. Assign Directories in Forced Programs:
   • In Attila1 Sandbox Options $\rightarrow$ Program Control $\rightarrow$ Forced Programs $\rightarrow$ click Force Folderr and select the entire first game directory (Attila_Host).
   • In Attila2 Sandbox Options $\rightarrow$ Program Control $\rightarrow$ Forced Programs $\rightarrow$ click Force Folder and select the entire second game directory (Attila_Player2).

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Step 3: Generate & Recover Player Profiles

1. Launch Attila.exe from both folders once so the emulator generates the config files, then close both games.
2. When the Sandboxie File Recovery window pops up, you MUST click RECOVER (to move the generated settings folder to your actual game directory).
3. Edit the recovered files in settings/:
   • In Folder 1 (Attila_Host\settings\):
     • account_name.txt $\rightarrow$ Player1
     • user_steam_id.txt $\rightarrow$ 76561198000000001
   • In Folder 2 (Attila_Player2\settings\):
     • account_name.txt $\rightarrow$ Player2
     • user_steam_id.txt $\rightarrow$ 76561198000000002
   • Ensure language.txt is identical in both folders (english or polish).

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Step 4: Synchronize Engine & Graphics Settings (1:1)

1. Launch the first game, go to Graphics Options, enable Windowed Mode.
2. Go to Sandbox 1's AppData: C:\Sandbox\<YourUser>\Attila1\user\current\AppData\Roaming\The Creative Assembly\Attila\scripts\
3. Copy preferences.script.txt (and user.script.txt for mods).
4. Paste and overwrite it into Sandbox 2's AppData: C:\Sandbox\<YourUser>\Attila2\user\current\AppData\Roaming\The Creative Assembly\Attila\scripts\

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Step 5: Launching

1. Double-click Attila.exe from Folder 1 (Host).
2. Double-click Attila.exe from Folder 2 (Player 2).
3. Host & Play.