I strongly recommend reading the documentation on the Diablo CD (serial.txt) to help understand this setup if you are going to use more than two players. �Checkout the picture below for a wiring example.
Diablo actually has special support for allowing up to four players to play in a direct serial link multiplayer game. �Most other games will only allow for up to two players to play in a direct serial link, but Blizzard has added extra routing technology to Diablo. �This type of play requires that a null-modem cable be used and that you have the latest version of Diablo installed. �A null-modem cable is a cable that basically has two wires crossed to allow the computers to share files between your serial (com) ports or printer ports. �You can pick one up at almost any Walmart or Radio Shack store. �Just make sure it says it is a null-modem or file transfer cable on it. �This way of playing can be better since you don't have to install a network to have four players, but most other games can't do this so I would only do it if you only need two computers playing and don't won't to spend money on installing a network.
To set this kind of game up hook up a null-modem cable to each computer. �If you are going to have two people play, you will need one cable; if you are going to have three people play, you will need two cables; if you are going to have four people play, you will need three cables. �If two people are playing, take the cable and plug each end into the back of one of the serial (com) ports on each machine.� If three people are playing take one cable and plug it into the first machine; then take the other end and plug it into the second machine. �Now take a second cable and plug one end into the other serial (com) port on the second machine; then take the other end (of the second cable) and plug it into a serial (com) port on the third machine. �If four people are going to play take one cable and plug it into the first machine; then take the other end of the first cable and plug it into a serial (com) port on the second machine. �Next, take the second cable and plug one end into the second machine; then take the other end of the second cable and plug it into the third machine. �Now, take the third cable and plug it into the free serial (com) port on the third machine; then take the other end of the third cable and plug it into a serial (com) port on the fourth machine.
I strongly recommend reading the documentation on the Diablo CD (serial.txt) to help understand this setup if you are going to use more than two players. �Checkout the picture below for a wiring example.
Once the cabling has been hooked up pick a machine to create the game and host it.
On the host machine select the following options from the menu:
Multiplayer, Direct Cable Connection
Select your saved player from the list or create a new one
Click on Create Game
Select the difficulty (Normal is recommended)
The host will now be in the game and listening for connections.