Ever get stuck wondering whether your game can talk to the outside world?
WarpPort takes the mystery out of ports.
It runs through the exact network holes your Command & Conquer titles rely on
and tells you, in plain terms, if they are open or blocked.
Modern Command & Conquer games don’t all sit on a central server.
Instead, they mostly use peer-to-peer: your machine connects directly to another player’s.
🔄 The Basic Flow
Step 1: Your game checks in with a match-maker (EA or C&C:Online).
Step 2: That server tells you the other players’ public address and port.
Step 3: Each game tries UDP packets to the address they received.
Step 4: If both ends send at once, most routers will let the replies through.
TIP: Some folks use VPN tools like Hamachi or Radmin when they can’t reach each other directly.
🕳 What “Hole Punching” Means
You and your friend both send a UDP packet out first.
Your routers see that outgoing request and open a tiny door back in.
If the reply gets through, you’re peer-to-peer–ready.
⚠ Why You Might Get Stuck
🚫 Unable to host or join a match
⏳ Hangs on “Synchronizing…”
🔌 Drops out mid-game
Those headaches often come from ports that never opened, or NAT rules that stay too strict.
That’s exactly what WarpPort shines a light on.
🛠 What WarpPort Actually Does
Scans every port your chosen game needs
Lets you type in your own list of ports for a custom check
Tries UPnP first, so your router might open them automatically
Runs a UDP hole punch to see if your router lets replies in
Offers a Peer-to-Peer Test, launch on two PCs, use the same room name and port, and confirm direct game-style connection
Includes a Port Forward Test that skips the P2P dance and focuses purely on your router’s rules
Gives you a clear color-coded log: green for open, red for blocked, warning icons for ports already in use
🔓 Hole Punching Isn’t a Sure Thing
Even if hole punching works here, some networks will still block traffic.
You might see success when UDP replies flow freely, but strict firewalls or shared-address setups (CG-NAT) can still block your game.
If hole punching succeeds you may skip manual forwarding!
Possible roadblocks include:
🧱 Very strict home or office firewalls
📶 Carrier-grade NAT on mobile or shared broadband
🚫 Router settings that drop unsolicited packets
🎯 Why You’ll Love WarpPort
✔ Know exactly which ports are reachable
✔ Try UPnP first before fiddling with router menus
✔ Add your own ports if you’ve got special needs
✔ Test true peer-to-peer connections, just like your game will
✔ Verify forwarded rules when you need to
✔ Copy and share a clear log with friends or tech support
What is WarpPort?
