Connecting to a game session

ZunTzu follows a client-server model. It means that one player will be hosting the game, and the other players will connect to the game session.

The Host dialog box.

Hosting the game

The hosting player should be the one with the best Internet connection. The larger the bandwidth in upload the better.

To host a game session use the Host menu item from the Multiplayer sub-menu. A dialog box will pop up. Just accept the default settings by clicking OK.

Next, you need to communicate your computer's Internet Protocol (IP) address to your fellow players. ZunTzu automatically determines your IP address and copies it into the Windows clipboard. All you have to do is paste it in an e-mail or an instant message. Of course you can also communicate your address by phone or SMS message. Then wait for them to connect.

Enter the host's IP address to join the game.

Joining a game

To join a game session that you are not hosting, use the Connect menu item from the Multiplayer sub-menu. A dialog box will pop up. You need to fill in the IP address of the hosting player's computer before going further.

After you have connected, you should see an icon for each of the players in the game session.

The first time you launch ZunTzu, the program will give you a default name. You should change that name using the Player menu item from the Settings sub-menu.

Bob-the-tester has joined the game.
The microphone input level indicator turns green when Joe is speaking.

Configuring the voice transmission

Players who have joined the same game session can text chat using the keyboard. But why would they do that when it's so much more convenient to talk to each others using ZunTzu's built-in voice conferencing?

Configuring the microphone

Using a headset is recommended to prevent echo introduced by external speakers and sensitive microphones.

Make sure that the Windows Audio Settings is properly configured.

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Sounds and Audio Devices. Click the Voice tab, and then click Test hardware. You should do this test at least once.

If your microphone doesn't work properly, you may have to adjust the settings in the Windows Volume Control: the microphone volume controllers should be Muted for playback, and Selected for recording [Learn more].

The voice activation threshold can be configured through this dialog box.

Setting the voice activation threshold

ZunTzu constantly analyzes the microphone input to determine if you're speaking. When the input exceeds a threshold level, you begin transmitting. A properly set threshold level should prevent transmission of surrounding noise but still allow the slightest wisper to trigger transmission.

You can use the microphone input level indicator to help you configure the threshold level. If your microphone is properly configured, you should see a small vertical bar wiggling next to your player icon. That's the microphone input level indicator.

The small arrow next to the bar marks the current position of the threshold level. Anytime the input level is above the threshold level, the bar turns green to show that you're transmitting.

To configure the threshold level, access ZunTzu's menu by hitting the Esc key, then go to the Settings sub-menu, then click the Voice menu item. Move the Voice activation threshold slider at the minimum level that is still above the surrounding noise.